MAINDATA Time Sync
Nanosecond-grade timing on Linux, with inexpensive hardware
We provide precise time and precise packet transmission on a standard Linux server with off-the-shelf network and GNSS cards. The network card serves the time as PTP grandmaster, within about 3-8 nanoseconds of the 1PPS.
The grandmaster is delivered as a ready appliance with a built-in network card, GNSS receiver and MAINDATA software. The PTP slave software is installed on your own servers.
Your applications will get the precise time and packet timing on both the grandmaster and the slaves.
The building blocks
The network card’s hardware clock, locked to the 1PPS from the GNSS receiver, becomes your PTP grandmaster. The network cards of the PTP slaves follow the grandmaster’s clock. The web dashboard shows the accuracy live.
Same server clock: with and without MAINDATA
Typical deviation (RMS) from the 1PPS reference. The value for internet time servers depends on the network and the servers.
1,250,000
nanoseconds
Linux system clock set by internet time servers against 1PPS reference
15
nanoseconds
Linux system clock against 1PPSwith MAINDATA solutions even under heavy CPU load and high temperature
9
nanoseconds
NIC clock = PTP grandmaster
against 1 PPS with MAINDATA solutions even under heavy CPU load and high temperature
Where it matters
Media
Single frequency networks, transport stream over IP,
studios streams
SMPTE ST 2110 & 2059-2.
5G and O-RAN
Phase and time alignment for mobile radio networks.
Finance
Traceable timestamps for trading and regulation.
Power grid
Protection, measurement and substation automation.
Also used in satellite communication, defence and industrial networks (time-sensitive networking).
Ask us about your application.
Three Ways to Get Time Sync
Choose the deployment option that fits your environment.
Use them together or one by one. Each has its own web interface.
MD Time Sync Grandmaster
Hardware + Software
A ready server with integrated network and GNSS cards, Time Sync software and web interfaces.
MD Time Sync Slave
Software
Our software enables PTP slave functionality on your own Linux server equipped with PTP-compatible network interface cards (NICs) compliant with the IEEE 1588 standard. We help you choose the right hardware and verify synchronization accuracy.
Integration and Consulting
Custom Solution
We design and deploy precise timing in your network: requirements, architecture, installation, measurement and an acceptance report.
Key features
Nanosecond-grade accuracy
Against the same reference, the network card’s clock varies by only about 5-9 nanoseconds. The Linux system clock on the same server varies by about 15 nanoseconds.
Standard Linux
It runs on Linux, so it fits the servers, tools and skills your team already has.
Low hardware cost
No dedicated timing appliance. Widely available network cards do the precise work, so a new site or a spare part costs much less.
Easy to check
A web dashboard shows live how close each clock is to the reference, and warns you when timing starts to drift.
Ready for real networks
Works as a PTP grandmaster or PTP slave (Precision Time Protocol) with PTP aware switches.
Built by engineers
MAINDATA builds broadcast transmission systems where every transmitter must emit data at precise time. Precise timing is part of our daily work.
NEXT STEPS
Get in touch
Want to book a demo or have a question? Get in touch with our team using the contact form or email us directly.
maindata@maindatainc.com
Book a 20-minute live demo
See the live dashboard and the measurement on real hardware, and ask our engineers about the accuracy your network needs. Tell us a little about your project and we will propose a time.
Let’s talk
Request a demo, ask a question or tell us about your project and our team will get back to you.
Frequently asked questions
Which network cards are supported?
Widely available network cards with i225, i226 chips. Customers receive our list of tested cards, and we check your preferred hardware on request.
Which PTP profiles?
Today the grandmaster runs default IEEE1588 profile and the SMPTE ST 2059-2 broadcast profile.
Other profiles, for telecom and power networks, are on our roadmap. Tell us what you need.
Can it follow our existing grandmaster?
Yes. As a PTP slave the network card with IEEE1588 support follows your grandmaster clock,
What reference do I need?
A GNSS receiver with a one-pulse-per-second output or 1PPS from external GNSS receiver.
We supply internal GNSS receiver with the appliance.