Integrated GNSS Grandmaster (IGM) Portfolio

IEEE 1588 PTP GNSS IGM Grandmaster Synchronization

While time synchronization has always been essential for wireless networks to function, requirements have evolved dramatically as operators increase small cell use and optimize spectrum usage to enable 4.5G, 4.9G and 5G network capabilities. Accurate phase synchronization is now increasingly critical to support new features and services in these networks. For example, coordination between base stations for broadcast video delivery and interference mitigation between macro base stations and small cells in dense deployments drive the need for strict phase specifications.

With technology innovations engineered to address these challenges, Microsemi offers a portfolio of small form factor IEEE 1588 PTP grandmasters to deliver a cost-effective, precise timing master exactly where it’s needed, such as small cells and backhaul to eNodeBs for wireless service delivery at the LTE network edge. Microsemi’s IGM 1588 grandmasters integrate both GNSS antenna and GNSS receiver, eliminating the need for an outdoor antenna and cabling.

The IGM’s latest release 3.0 software and new hardware model (IGM Plus) enables deployment of these smaller grandmasters at the very edge of mobile networks, lowering operator costs and improving customer experience with enhanced coverage and performance. Easily installed indoors or outdoors, in-building or in cabinets or huts, the IGM grandmaster family serves operators preparing for 5G through densification, along with enterprises seeking enhanced indoor capacity and coverage on LTE and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) networks.
 

New Hardware Model: IGM Plus for Release 3.0

Release 3.0 features a new hardware model with an upgraded GNSS receiver adding Galileo support and an upgraded mini OCXO oscillator for enhanced time keeping and holdover performance.

New Software Capabilities for Release 3.0

• Increased scalability up to 60 PTP clients on IGM Outdoor and IGM External Antenna
• Support for IPv6 OAM/Management, in addition to IPv6 support for PTP traffic
• Automated configuration of a large number of devices with Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) through DHCP (option 43)
• Enhanced support for individual device configuration with full CLI

Why Choose Microsemi IGM Grandmasters?

• Single device integrating IEEE 1588 PTP grandmaster, GNSS receiver and GNSS antenna
• Reduced installation costs and simplified cabling
• Unique indoor capabilities for enhanced indoor GNSS performance without GPS/GNSS roof antenna
• Plug-and-Play features reducing deployment time and cost (discovery, configuration, Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) for auto-configuration)
• Deployment flexibility (small size, wall or ceiling mount, indoor or outdoor)
• Best-in-class synchronization solution optimized for indoor, location transfer, management
• Reliability
• GPS,GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, and SBAS support

TimeProvider 5000, the industry’s most deployed, highly scalable IEEE 1588 grandmaster which can act as backup to IGM in case of GNSS outage by providing PTP input to IGM grandmasters with asymmetry compensation;The IGM grandmaster family is part of Microsemi’s broad portfolio for mobile network deployments that includes:

• TimeProvider 4100, the first Gateway clock in the market supporting a high number of input ports and output fan-out ports for multiple types of ports, especially designed for aggregation deployments for LTE-Advanced, 5G mobile networks as well as Remote PHY DOCSIS 3.1 for cable environments.
• TimePictra, a modular web-based synchronization management system that scales and evolves with operational requirements, monitoring the IGM family, as well as other Microsemi IEEE 1588 grandmasters;
• Indoor managed Power over Ethernet (PoE) midspans, which enable network upgrade to support Power over Ethernet with virtually no downtime. The family includes products with port densities of up to 24 ports and 60 watts per port, to power small cells and the IGM-1100i; and
• Outdoor PoE switches, hubs, midspans and surge protectors, a complete outdoor PoE portfolio, essential for the deployment of the IGM-1100o.

Microsemi is the world’s leading source of timing and synchronization systems. Our innovative IGM grandmaster portfolio enables the most cost-effective indoor or outdoor deployments at the mobile network edge. Contact your local Microsemi office today to find the right solution for your needs.