C32 - Protocol Controller for IEEE 1588

Applications

• Timing and Synchronization
• Telecom Network clients
• Cellular Base Stations
• Industrial Automation
• Robotics
• Power Grids
• Test and Measurement
• Sensor Networks

Overview

The C32 is a new platform component from Conemtech. It combines the best features of traditional CISC architectures and efficient use of resources with FPGA flexibility for a pre-defined application – Time and Frequency Synchronization. It dramatically reduces the cost and size of precision time synchronization hardware using the IEEE 1588 protocol. The outstanding features of C32 stem from the ability to analyze and act on gate level in real-time.

A processor architecture optimized on memory interaction without cache has resulted in high energy efficiency and performance. The processor's two Ethernet channels are able to pass up to 60 Mbit/s of IP data flow while filtering out and processing the the IEEE 1588 data channel in the Protocol Engine software and consuming less than 42 mW the C32 offers the best performance/energy ratio in the industry.

The C32 integrated circuit comes with a complete software platform including real-time operating system, flash file system, TCP/IP communication stack, FTP and remote programming API. For the execution of the IEEE 1588-2008 protocol stack with a ordinary clock implementation from Zurich University of Applied Sciences is included in the C32. The operation in highly complex telecoms network is secured by an advanced network loop control algorithm. The complete software, firmware and hardware platform comes integrated and tested for time stamping applications. And your project can chose from different form factors for different phases of your project.

Features

• Deterministic Real-Time Operating System and power fail-safe file system
• Boosts a High Level API for system level interface
• Supports C and Assembler programming
• Advanced source level debugging and profiling
• Accelerated IEEE 754 Floating Point arithmetic, single and double precision
• The arithmetic core contains both ALU and Multiplier-Accumulator (8x8 and 32 bits, respectively)
• Dual channel 10/100Mbit/s Ethernet MAC
• Three UARTs, one I2C/SPI serial interface
• Eight DMA channels with 83 MB/s sustained total data rate
• Precise Timestamp Engine with IEEE 1588 support
• API programmable IEEE 1588-2008 software stack included
• Up to 60 Mbit/s throughput between Ethernet channels
• Up to 18.5 Mbit/s sustained UDP throughput with 1 Hz synch rate
• Hardware communication channel supporting synchronization frame rate up to 256 Hz
• Software controlled PLL, Multiple power saving modes
• Available as reference module with on-board memories and PSU.

IEEE 1588 Timestamp support

The C32 can discipline its PTP clock by controlling an external oscillator using an analog control signal or a digital serial interface. As a lower-cost alternative it can use its on-chip oscillator, with only a crystal externally. The local precise time can be used both by software and directly by external hardware through the GPIO ports. The time presentation to the external is very precise, since it has no jitter caused by instruction execution.

Block Diagram

The diagram shows the main parts of the processor. The ROM and RAM of the C3 (former IM3000) core contain microcode. This enables acceleration of CPU intensive tasks with orders of magnitude. By coding functions like Ethernet MAC, timestamp unit, interrupt controller etc, the processor can handle tasks not seen in comparable products.

Using the flexible extension bus new peripherals or interfaces in e.g. an FPGA or CPLD can extend the on-chip functions.

Technical Specifications

• Supply Voltage 3.0 – 3.6V, optional 1.8V core
• Typical internal power consumption is 42 mW at 1.8V/167 MHz including core, PLL, DMA etc.
• Additional 20 mW is consumed by the SDRAM interface 3.3V/167 MHz
• Real-time clock current consumption 5 µA from battery
• Operating temperature range -40 to +85 °C
• 167 MHz max. oscillator frequency
• 80 Input/Output pins with tri-state support
• 12x12 mm BGA, 180 connections (14x14 grid, 0.8 mm pitch).

Availability - Form Factors

• C32 Protocol Controller for IEEE1588 - Integrated Circuit
  BGA180 package, Industrial Temp
• M20-32 Protocol Controller for IEEE 1588 - Reference Module 24 x 45 mm
  C32 based processor module complete with 8 MB SDRAM and 2MB Flash, 8-24V supply
• M50-32 Systems Module for IEEE1588 - LCC 84 package, 29 x 29 mm
  C32 based system module with 1x PHY interface and 1x RMII interface, 8 MB/2MB memory

Conemtech may make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time, without notice.