APX-TS210 GNSS NTP/PTP Time Server

APX-TS210 GNSS NTP/PTP Time Server

The APX-TS210 GNSS NTP/PTP Time Server is a precision network timing platform designed to provide synchronized time and frequency references for IP networks, automation systems, telecom infrastructure, data centers, industrial networks, and other applications requiring reliable network time synchronization.

Based on GNSS satellite timing references, APX-TS210 supports standard NTP, SNTP, and IEEE 1588v2 PTP protocols. It combines high-precision GNSS synchronization with network time services, 1PPS and TOD outputs, and optional frequency and time-code interfaces.

The platform supports multiple reference sources and optional holdover oscillators, allowing the system to maintain timing performance when the primary satellite reference is temporarily unavailable. Network management and monitoring functions provide centralized access to time synchronization status, network configuration, alarms, and service information.

Key Features

• GNSS-based precision time synchronization
  
• Supports NTP v1/v2/v3/v4, SNTP, and IEEE 1588v2 PTP
  
• Hardware synchronization accuracy better than 30 ns RMS with GNSS reference
  
• Typical LAN NTP synchronization accuracy of 0.1–2 ms
  
• Complex-network NTP synchronization accuracy better than 10 ms
  
• Up to 14,000 NTP requests per second
  
• Supports more than 1,344,000 NTP clients
  
• Up to 6 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
  
• Supports PTP input and optional PTP output functions
  
• Optional OCXO or rubidium holdover oscillator
  
• Multiple GNSS and external timing reference options
  
• 1PPS and TOD timing outputs
  
• Optional IRIG-B and 10 MHz outputs
  
• Reference-source priority and automatic switching
  
• Network bonding and virtual-IP based redundancy functions
  
• Web-based management and monitoring
  
• SNMP, SYSLOG, email alarm and dry-contact alarm support
  
• SSH, Telnet and console access
  
• Available in 1U and 2U chassis configurations
  

Precision Network Time Synchronization

APX-TS210 provides a centralized timing reference for network-connected systems. The server can operate as a primary network time server or as a secondary timing server depending on the system configuration.

The GNSS receiver provides the external precision reference, while the internal timing system generates synchronized network and timing outputs.

The system supports:

• NTP unicast, multicast and broadcast
  
• NTP Autokey
  
• SNTP
  
• IEEE 1588v2 PTP
  
• IPv4, IPv6 and IPv4/IPv6 hybrid networking
  
• Telnet, SSH and FTP
  
• SNMP v1/v2/v2c/v3
  
• MIB II / RFC1213
  

GNSS Reference Synchronization

APX-TS210 supports GPS, BeiDou and combined GNSS reference configurations depending on the selected hardware configuration.

Typical receiver specifications include:

The system can support single-constellation or combined GPS/BeiDou operating modes according to the selected receiver configuration.

NTP Performance

APX-TS210 is designed for network environments requiring centralized and continuously available time synchronization.

Actual network synchronization performance depends on network topology, traffic conditions, client implementation, and configuration.

NTP and PTP Synchronization

For conventional IT and enterprise networks, APX-TS210 provides NTP/SNTP network time synchronization.

For applications requiring higher precision and deterministic synchronization, the system can be configured with IEEE 1588v2 PTP functionality.

The optional PTP interface supports:

• IEEE 1588v2 / RFC1588v2
  
• Gigabit Ethernet and SFP optical interfaces
  
• Unicast and multicast operation
  
• One-step and two-step modes
  
• AI/SI/DI configuration
  
• PTP timing input
  
• PTP timing output
  

This allows APX-TS210 to serve as a common timing reference across mixed NTP/PTP network architectures.

Timing Outputs

1PPS Output

The 1PPS output provides a precise second-pulse reference synchronized to UTC.

• Timing deviation from UTC: <30 ns="" rms="">
  
• Electrical level: TTL
  
• Positive-edge pulse
  
• Pulse width: 100 ms
  

TOD Output

The TOD interface provides time and position information through an RS232 interface.

• RS232 electrical level
  
• 9600 baud
  
• 8-N-1
  
• NMEA0183-compatible TOD option
  

Optional Frequency Outputs

APX-TS210 can be configured with additional frequency output modules for applications requiring a stable frequency reference.

Available options include:

• 10 MHz square-wave output
  
• 10 MHz sine-wave output
  
• IRIG-B output
  
• Other timing and frequency interfaces according to configuration
  

The 10 MHz sine-wave output option provides:

• 50 Ω impedance
  
• Output power >7 dBm
  
• Frequency and stability characteristics referenced to the internal timing system
  

Internal Holdover Options

APX-TS210 can be configured with an internal OCXO or rubidium oscillator to maintain timing performance during temporary loss of the GNSS reference.

Actual oscillator performance depends on the selected configuration.

Reference Inputs

APX-TS210 supports multiple external reference options for applications requiring alternative or redundant timing sources.

Available options include:

• 1PPS + TOD
  
• IRIG-B
  
• CDMA/4G timing reference
  
• External PTP reference
  
• External frequency reference
  
• External time reference
  

Reference sources can be configured according to priority, allowing the system to select an available timing reference based on system requirements.

Management and Monitoring

APX-TS210 provides web-based management for configuration, monitoring, and maintenance.

The management interface can provide access to:

• Current time and synchronization status
  
• GPS/BeiDou reference status
  
• Satellite and positioning information
  
• Network interface status
  
• NTP service configuration
  
• PTP configuration
  
• SNMP configuration
  
• Alarm settings
  
• System operating status
  
• Configuration file management
  
• MIB file download
  

The system also supports NTSM monitoring software for detailed monitoring of NTP services, reference sources, clients, timing offsets, and server operating status.

Alarm mechanisms include:

• SNMP
  
• SYSLOG
  
• Email
  
• Dry-contact alarm
  
• Timing-offset threshold alarms
  
• Reference-loss alarms
  
• Status-change alarms
  

Network Redundancy and Service Reliability

APX-TS210 supports network bonding and virtual-IP functions for network availability and service continuity.

Depending on configuration, the system can support redundant network operation and dual-server hot-standby architectures.

These functions allow APX-TS210 to be integrated into timing architectures where continuous network time availability is required.

Interfaces

Typical interfaces include:

• GNSS antenna input: BNC
  
• Gigabit Ethernet: up to 6 × RJ45
  
• Console: RJ45 / RS232
  
• TOD: DB-9 / RS232
  
• 1PPS: BNC / TTL
  
• USB
  
• VGA
  
• Optional PTP interface
  
• Optional 10 MHz interface
  
• Optional IRIG-B interface
  
• Optional external reference input
  
• Optional dry-contact alarm interface
  
• Optional external DC input
  

Interface configuration depends on the selected hardware options.

Software and Protocol Support

Network Protocols

• NTP v1/v2/v3/v4
  
• SNTP
  
• IEEE 1588v2 PTP
  
• IPv4
  
• IPv6
  
• IPv4/IPv6 hybrid
  
• SNMP v1/v2/v2c/v3
  
• Telnet
  
• SSH
  
• FTP
  

Network Time Service

APX-TS210 can provide NTP synchronization services for a wide range of operating systems and network clients, including Windows, Linux, UNIX, Sun Solaris, and IBM AIX environments.

Physical and Environmental Specifications

Typical Applications

APX-TS210 can be used in network environments requiring coordinated time and synchronization services, including:

• Telecom and communication networks
  
• 5G network synchronization
  
• Data centers
  
• Enterprise IT networks
  
• Financial systems
  
• Industrial automation
  
• Power and energy systems
  
• Transportation infrastructure
  
• Security and monitoring systems
  
• Process control systems
  
• Database clusters
  
• Network measurement and monitoring systems
  
• Systems requiring combined NTP and PTP synchronization
  

Available Configuration Options

APX-TS210 can be configured according to application requirements, including:

• GPS
  
• BeiDou
  
• GPS + BeiDou
  
• BeiDou-3
  
• OCXO holdover oscillator
  
• Rubidium holdover oscillator
  
• Dual power supply
  
• PTP input
  
• PTP output
  
• IRIG-B input/output
  
• 10 MHz output
  
• 1PPS + TOD input/output
  
• CDMA/4G reference input
  
• External frequency/time reference
  
• Dry-contact alarm interface
  

The final interface combination and performance depend on the selected hardware configuration.