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Original question:

AM4378: timeSync example doesn't sycnronize on E2E type

AM6421: ICSS Timesync for Profinet firmware

Simon Ferchl
Prodigy 10 points

Part Number: AM6421
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: IND-COMMS-SDK

Hello E2E,

we are currently running a profinet RT device example on the industrial comms subsystem. The network this device is integrated to supports PTP IEEE1588 (E2E, UDP). Somehow we need to synchronize the IEP via PTP. Therefore it comes to mind to use the already existing ICSS Timesync library/driver provided by the Ind-Comms-SDK (or at least parts of it). The ICSS Timesync lib offers examples for use with Ethernet/IP and PRP.

Is it possible to use the profinet PRU firmware in combination with the Profinet stack and the timesync library altogether? If not, where would modifications be needed to do that?

Thank you in advance.

  • 0
    TI__Expert 3840 points

    Hi Simon,

    The current PROFINET RT implementation doesn't include synchronization capabilities, as this class of PROFINET doesn't require it. For synchronization features, our PROFINET IRT example would be more appropriate, as it synchronizes the IEP clock using the PTCP mechanism (which is based on PTP).

    To better assist you, could you please elaborate on your specific use case that requires combining PROFINET RT with PTP synchronization?

    Best Regards,

    Laxman  

  • 0 in reply to Laxman Chinnannavar
    Prodigy 10 points

    Hi Laxman,

    thank you for your fast response.

    Sorry i missed this information: The use case we face is that the PROFINET controller in use does not support IRT, anyhow we need to have a synchronized time for the devices (measuring accurate data across several devices requires this).

    Ok, so would it then be possible to use the IRT example and configure it in a way that it synchronizes the clocks with "default" PTP? Maybe you have same suggestions.

    Thank you.

    Best regards,

    Simon

  • 0 in reply to Simon Ferchl
    TI__Expert 3840 points

    Hi Simon,

    Thank you for providing additional information.

    For time synchronization to be enabled, there is a requirement of controller to send synchronization frames which is used by the DUT(AM64x) to be in sync with the controller. Is there another device except the PROFINET controller which will be sending the sync frames? Also is this controller a PROFINET device?

    Best Regards,

    Laxman

  • 0 in reply to Laxman Chinnannavar
    Prodigy 10 points

    No, there is no other device except the PROFINET controller which will be sending the sync frames. Yes, this controller is a PROFINET device.

  • 0 in reply to Simon Ferchl
    TI__Expert 3840 points

    Hi Simon,

    Ok, could you share the controller model you are currently using? We will review the specifications and check how the PTP sync frames from this controller needs to be handled. 

    Best Regards,
    Laxman

  • 0 in reply to Laxman Chinnannavar
    Prodigy 10 points

    Hi Laxman,

    Yes, i will try to sum it up:

     - Our aim is to synchronize the clocks across a profinet network

     - the limitation comes from the PROFINET controller already in use: this is a non-IRT device, on which a PTP server instance is running in parallel. This PTP server sends the sync frames to the network using PTP Packet Format over UDP/IPv4.

    - As PROFINET devices we are using the profinet device example provided in the IND-COMMS-SDK.

    Best regards,

    Simon

  • 0 in reply to Simon Ferchl
    TI__Guru 51261 points
    Simon Ferchl said:
     - the limitation comes from the PROFINET controller already in use: this is a non-IRT device, on which a PTP server instance is running in parallel. This PTP server sends the sync frames to the network using PTP Packet Format over UDP/IPv4.

    You can run your own PTP stack along with PROFINET RT device to achieve this but from what I see this requires PRU firmware modifications (for better timestamping accuracy for PTP packets) or connecting PHY with timestamping capability to ICSS IEP latch inputs. Either case, this is not a standard use case we support...

  • 0 in reply to PratheeshGangadhar
    Prodigy 10 points

    Hello Pratheesh Gangadhar,

    thank you for the information. We will take a look at your approach.

    Best regards,

    Simon