5G time synchronization cards play a critical role in modern network technology. 5G requires time-division duplex (TDD) carriers to support network-wide time synchronization accuracy below 3 microseconds, with even stricter requirements when using MIMO or carrier aggregation. In scenarios such as 5G RAN and edge computing, network devices require highly synchronized time signals (microsecond-level accuracy) to ensure communication quality and data transmission reliability.

To meet these stringent requirements, LR-LINK has introduced the LRES6080PF-4SFP28 time synchronization card equipped with four 10/25G ports. This solution ensures time accuracy for PCIe network interface cards utilizing Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) and the IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) on commercial hardware. By supporting IEEE 1588 PTP, SyncE, and GNSS, it offers multiple high-precision synchronization methods, significantly enhancing network performance, compatibility, security, and adaptability.

Why High-Precision Time Synchronization is Essential in the 5G Era

With the rapid advancement of 5G technology, high-precision time synchronization has become a core requirement for network infrastructure. Unlike previous generations of mobile communication systems, 5G networks face unprecedented time synchronization challenges that directly impact network performance, reliability, and service quality.

Five Essential Questions About the LRES6080PF-4SFP28

Q1. What is the primary role of a 25G time synchronization card in 5G networks?

The 25G time synchronization card provides high-precision time synchronization within 5G networks, ensuring temporal consistency among network devices. Supporting synchronization accuracy at the microsecond or even nanosecond level, it meets the stringent time synchronization requirements of 5G networks and is critical for maintaining network performance and communication quality.

Q2. What synchronization protocols does the 25G time synchronization card support?

The 25G time synchronization card typically supports multiple protocols, primarily IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE). This hybrid synchronization approach delivers higher accuracy and reliability, addressing the diverse needs of 5G networks.

Q3. What are the applications of 25G time synchronization cards in edge computing?

In edge computing scenarios, 25G time synchronization cards provide distributed nodes with precise time references, ensuring temporal consistency in data processing and transmission. This is critical for achieving low-latency, high-reliability edge computing applications, particularly in scenarios requiring accurate timestamping.

Q4. How does the 25G time synchronization card adapt to different network architectures?

The 25G time synchronization card typically offers multi-port configuration options, enabling flexible adaptation to diverse network architecture requirements. It supports PCIe interfaces, is compatible with various server environments, and can be configured as either a boundary clock or transparent clock as needed to meet the demands of different network topologies.

Q5. What are the applications of 25G time synchronization cards in industrial automation?

In industrial automation, 25G time synchronization cards provide a unified time reference for robots, sensors, and controllers on production lines, ensuring precise coordination between devices. This is critical for enhancing production efficiency, enabling accurate control, and facilitating data acquisition—particularly in high-precision industrial applications demanding sub-microsecond synchronization accuracy.

LRES6080PF-4SFP28 Key Features

5G networks impose unprecedentedly stringent requirements for time synchronization. The 25G time synchronization card provides critical support for 5G communication infrastructure through advanced technology.

Quad-port SFP28 for 25G/10GbE

Supports PTP Transparent Clock (TC), Boundary Clock (BC), OC (Master/Slave)

PTP over IPv4 (IEEE-1588v2) / SyncE

Integrated GNSS support for frequency, phase, and time synchronization with global navigation satellite systems

Dual SMA (10MHz/1PPS) configurable input/output

Complete hardware and software time synchronization solution based on industry-leading DPLL, high-precision clock architecture, and PTP1588

High-accuracy OCXO ±5ppb maintains <1.5μs precision for 4 hours without external source assistance

LAN and Virtualization Capabilities:

RDMA: Supports iWARP and RoCEv2, selectively configurable per port

SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization): 8 pfs, 256 VFs, 768 vsis, 256 queues/PF, 2K queue pairs

DPDK: Supports advanced packet forwarding and efficient packet processing

Summary

25G time synchronization cards play a vital role in industrial automation, intelligent transportation, and power systems. These applications demand varying levels of time synchronization accuracy—ranging from sub-microsecond to nanosecond precision—and advanced time synchronization cards offer flexible solutions to meet these diverse requirements. With the proliferation of 5G edge computing, the “cloud-edge-device tripartite collaborative computing” model will increasingly rely on high-precision time synchronization. The LRES6080PF-4SFP28 from Lianrui achieves microsecond-level time synchronization accuracy, ensuring communication quality and data transmission reliability.