TimeProvider® 4100 Grandmaster Version 2.4 Firmware Offers Embedded BlueSky™ Firewall Technology to Detect Security Threats
Microchip Technology has released version 2.4 of its TimeProvider® 4100 grandmaster firmware, incorporating the BlueSky™ firewall technology to detect and validate GNSS signals against spoofing and jamming threats. This update also supports IEEE® 1588 power profiles for 5G private network synchronization and can serve up to 2,000 PTP clients. Enhancements include the ability to filter legacy input signals, Active/Standby and Active/Active redundancy modes, and integration with the TimePictra® Synchronization Management System. The updated firmware aims to provide a secure, scalable, and resilient synchronization solution for critical infrastructures.
- Incorporation of BlueSky™ firewall to enhance security against GNSS spoofing and jamming.
- Support for IEEE® 1588 power profiles, aiding 5G private network synchronization.
- Ability to serve up to 2,000 PTP clients, improving scalability for large networks.
- Added filtering for legacy input signals, aiding migration to modern architectures.
- Active/Standby and Active/Active redundancy modes increase system resiliency.
- Integration with TimePictra® Synchronization Management System for comprehensive network synchronization management.
- Potential high costs related to upgrading existing network systems to the new firmware.
- Unspecified performance variations depending on usage, configuration, and other factors.
- Risks associated with the dependency on new technology for critical infrastructure synchronization.
Insights
Microchip Technology's latest release of the TimeProvider 4100 firmware, version 2.4, integrates significant advancements in network security and synchronization capabilities. The embedded BlueSky™ firewall enhances the device's ability to detect and mitigate GPS jamming and spoofing attacks. This is particularly important for critical infrastructure sectors like utilities and transportation, which rely heavily on precise timing. The added IEEE 1588 power profiles and Time Sensitive Network (TSN) profile 802.1.AS indicate a broader application range, including private 5G networks and IoT devices. These updates highlight Microchip's commitment to advancing robust and secure timing solutions. For retail investors, these technological improvements could strengthen Microchip's position in the market, potentially leading to increased demand and revenue streams.
The introduction of version 2.4 for the TimeProvider 4100 series indicates Microchip's proactive stance in addressing the evolving needs of various industries, particularly in enhancing network security and synchronization. The ability to support up to 2,000 PTP clients and the inclusion of both Active/Standby and Active/Active redundancy models provide flexibility and reliability needed for large-scale deployments. This aligns well with trends towards more robust and scalable solutions in the market. Additionally, the integration with the TimePictra® Synchronization Management System offers a comprehensive view of network health, which can be a significant selling point. Investors should consider the potential for market expansion and customer acquisition due to these enhancements.
Adds IEEE® 1588 standard profiles to meet power and 5G private network synchronization requirements
CHANDLER, Ariz., May 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Critical infrastructure such as public utilities, transportation and mobile networks depend on time to synchronize their networks. The primary source of time comes from national timing systems like Global Position Satellite (GPS), but GPS signals are susceptible to jamming and spoofing attacks. To continue to provide critical infrastructure operators with a secure timing solution, Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) today announces the release of version 2.4 of the TimeProvider® 4100 grandmaster firmware with an embedded BlueSky™ firewall function to detect potential threats and validate GNSS before using the signal as a time reference.
“Security is of utmost importance to operators; it is critical to make sure that the time reference used by a grandmaster is a valid signal and can be trusted,” said Randy Brudzinski, vice president of Microchip’s frequency and time systems business unit. “The TimeProvider 4100 grandmaster, with its embedded BlueSky GPS firewall, offers our customers a cost-effective solution that provides highly effective protection against spoofing, jamming and other threats that could compromise the validity of the GNSS signal.”
The TimeProvider 4100 series v2.4 also implements IEEE® 1588 power profiles, which enables gateway capabilities between PTP telecom and power profiles. With this device, utility companies can connect the communication and substation networks to support the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) networks as operators continue to modernize.
The growth of emerging private networks continues to increase in a variety of locations like factories, stadiums and mines. These private networks can now be synchronized with the TimeProvider 4100 series v2.4 equipped with the Time Sensitive Network (TSN) profile 802.1.AS. This functionality provides private networks with a more accurate and autonomous time system to coordinate private network Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Depending on their unique deployment requirements, operators need grandmasters that can scale to support very few clients up to many clients. The TP4100 v2.4 can serve 2,000 Precise Time Protocol (PTP) clients, providing the capability to synchronize a large number of base stations with precise time without having to deploy multiple grandmasters.
As existing legacy communication signal deployments age, there is a need to migrate these installations to a modern and modular architecture. The TimeProvider 4100 series v2.4 provides a new operation mode that includes the filtering of legacy input signals and provides the ability to serve as a Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU), enabling the migration of large SSU environments to a TimeProvider server architecture. This presents a combination of new protocols such as PTP, NTP, SyncE and legacy signals at a large scale, allowing operators to ensure legacy services remain, while affording the capability to provide modern synchronization signals to support the newer network architectures.
Resiliency is necessary for synchronization solutions serving critical infrastructures. A failure can lead to degradation or a complete loss of service, thereby affecting customer satisfaction. Software redundancy contributes to the resiliency of the TimeProvider 4100 series because it enables two grandmasters to be synchronized in an Active/Standby model so network clients can be served by the Standby unit if the Active unit encounters a disruption. Another important and valuable feature of the TimeProvider 4100 series v2.4 is the additional model for redundancy, allowing two units to operate in Active/Active mode, providing flexibility depending on the customer’s preference. Customers employing the Active/Active mode can benefit from the two grandmasters designed to operate at all times, as compared to the Active/Standby configuration where one device is not used while remaining in the standby mode.
The TimeProvider 4100 series v2.4 is integrated with the TimePictra® Synchronization Management System to provide users a complete view of their synchronization operation and health across their network.
Pricing and Availability
The TimeProvider 4100 v2.4 grandmaster is now available for purchase. For additional information and to purchase, contact a Microchip sales representative or an authorized distributor.
Performance levels may differ depending on usage, system configuration, and other influencing factors.
Resources
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- Video link: https://youtu.be/md7fV6pgGI4
About Microchip Technology:
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve approximately 125,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.
Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. TimeProvider and TimePictra are registered trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A Bluesky is a trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. In the U.S.A. and all other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.
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