
MULTIsync IP Core is a multi-protocol redundant time synchronization core that provides sub-microsecond time synchronization, providing maximum flexibility for every scenario. It is able to provide time synchronization using IEEE 1588-2008 (PTPv2) and IRIG-B time synchronization protocols.
MULTIsync IP Core supports the following synchronization input sources:
- PTP: Ethernet. PTP Slave at the input
- IRIG-B: IRIG-B compliant signal. IRIG-B Slave at the input
- Free Running Timer: Digital input
MULTIsync IP Core supports the following synchronization output options:
- PTP: Ethernet. PTP master at the output
- IRIG-B: IRIG-B compliant signal. IRIG-B Slave at the output
- Free Running Timer: Digital Output
This versatility enables different cases-of-use for MULTIsync that are complementary:
- It can provide time synchronization redundancy, making possible to connect the IP to a PTP network and to an IRIG-B master at the same time. The user is able to select which is the time source used between the three available ones (PTP, IRIG-B, free running timer)
- It can act as a PTP to IRIG-B or IRIG-B to PTP bridge while the IP is synchronized with the selected master
- It can act a PTP or IRIG-B grandmaster
MULTIsync can be used in combination with SoC-e HSR-PRPSwitch, TSNSwitch, UnmanagedEthernetSwitch or ManagedEthernetSwitch IP cores to introduce Ethernet traffic switching capabilities or HSR and PRP redundancy.
MULTIsync is supported on the following Xilinx FPGA Families:
- 6-Series (Spartan, Virtex)
- 7-Series (Zynq, Spartan, Artix, Kintex, Virtex)
- Ultrascale (Kintex, Virtex)
- Ultrascale+ (Zynq MPSoC, Kintex, Virtex)

MULTIsync is designed to be easily integrated in your FPGA designs by taking advantage of the new Xilinx Vivado Tool, that allows to use the IP Cores in a graphical user interface and configure IP parameters in an easy way.
MULTIsync IP Core main features:
- Multi-protocol redundant time synchronization.
- IEEE 1588-2008 (PTPv2) and IRIG-B time synchronization protocols supported simultaneously.
- 12 different operation modes.
- 3 independent 64-bit adjustable timers associated to each slave. (32 bit sub-nanosecond frequency adjust.
- One Pulse Per Second Output available.
- Event timestamping supported (up to 4 different events simultaneously).
- Alarm detection supported (up to 4 different alarms simultaneously).
PTP Features
- 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet operation supported.
- AXI-S interface supported:
- 1 Gigabit Ethernet: 8-bit data width.
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet: 64-bit data width.
- Selection if the Ethernet frame includes the preamble or not.
- 16 position FIFO depth. Old timestamp values are stored for avoiding overrun.
- End-to-End and Peer-to-Peer delay mechanisms support.
- Support for PTP on both, Layer 2 (Ethernet) and Layer 3 (IPv4) interfaces.
- Support VLAN tagged PTP messages.
- IEEE1588 Profiles: Default, Power, Power-Utility (IEC61850-9-3), AS.
IRIG-B Slave Features
- Support for DCLS and AM modulations.
- Internal filtering of the AM signal.
- Support for all IRIG-B coded expressions, including year information, control functions and straight binary seconds.
- IEEE-1344 extension support.
- Input type (IRIG-B time code) configurable both before implementation and on the fly.
- Implements a generic ADC controller compatible with SPI, QSPI and MICROWIRE protocols.
IRIG-B Master Features
- Support for DCLS and AM modulations.
- Support for all IRIG-B coded expressions, including year information, control functions and straight binary seconds.
- IEEE1344 extension support.
- Output type (IRIG-B time code) configurable both before implementation and on the fly.
- Implements a generic DAC controller compatible with SPI, QSPI and MICROWIRE protocols.
Free Running Timer Features
- Fully managed by the user (time and frequency adjustment).
Supported boards for the Reference Designs:
- SoC-e SMARTzynq brick (Recommended)
- For other Xilinx/Avnet/SoC-e boards, we can provide a time-limited IP Core for evaluation.
For more information, please contact us at: info@soc-e.com