APX-TS400 Redundant Network Time Server

APX-TS400 Redundant Network Time Server

High-Reliability GNSS Network Time Synchronization

The APX-TS400 Redundant Network Time Server is a high-reliability GNSS-based network time synchronization platform designed for telecommunications, data centers, power systems, industrial networks, financial infrastructure, transportation, and other timing-critical applications.

The system uses GNSS satellite timing as its primary reference and supports NTPv1/v2/v3/v4 and SNTP protocols, providing precise network time synchronization and timestamp services for computers, control systems, databases, enterprise networks, and distributed applications.

With multiple network interfaces, redundant reference sources, dual-server hot standby, and optional high-stability timing references, the APX-TS400 is designed for applications requiring high availability and continuous time synchronization.

Key Features

High-Performance NTP Time Synchronization

The APX-TS400 provides scalable network time services for large distributed systems.

• Supports NTPv1 / v2 / v3 / v4
  
• Supports SNTP
  
• Unicast, multicast and broadcast modes
  
• Supports IPv4, IPv6 and IPv4/IPv6 hybrid networks
  
• ≥100,000 NTP requests per second per network port
  
• Supports more than 5,000,000 timing clients
  
• Typical LAN NTP synchronization accuracy of 0.1–2 ms
  
• Complex network NTP synchronization accuracy down to the millisecond range, depending on network conditions
  

GNSS-Based Precision Timing

The APX-TS400 uses GNSS satellite signals as a precision timing reference.

Under satellite reference conditions, the system provides synchronization accuracy of less than 100 ns, while the hardware 1PPS output can achieve less than 30 ns RMS relative to UTC under specified conditions.

The system can also be equipped with an internal high-stability oscillator or rubidium frequency reference for applications requiring enhanced holdover performance.

Redundant Timing Architecture

For critical infrastructure applications, the APX-TS400 supports multiple redundancy mechanisms:

• Reference source redundancy
  
• Automatic reference-source switching based on priority
  
• Network interface redundancy
  
• Network port bonding
  
• Dual-server hot standby
  
• Heartbeat detection
  
• Shared virtual IP address
  
• Redundant power supply options
  

These functions allow the timing system to continue providing synchronization services in the event of selected reference, network, or server failures.

Multiple Gigabit Network Interfaces

The APX-TS400 provides a combination of copper and optical network interfaces for flexible deployment.

• 6 × 10/100/1000M RJ45 Ethernet ports
  
• 4 × 10/100/1000M SFP optical ports
  
• Network port bonding
  
• Network redundancy and load-balancing configurations
  

The multiple network interfaces allow the time server to serve different network segments and support redundant network architectures.

Optional PTP Synchronization

The APX-TS400 can be configured with optional IEEE 1588v2 PTP input and output functions.

The PTP output option supports:

• Gigabit Ethernet / SFP interfaces
  
• Unicast and multicast modes
  
• One-step and two-step operation
  
• AI / SI / DI configuration
  
• Up to 256 PTP clients per PTP port
  

This allows the APX-TS400 to operate as part of a combined NTP/PTP synchronization architecture.

Precision Timing Outputs

The system supports multiple timing and frequency outputs for integration with external equipment.

Standard timing outputs include:

• 1PPS
  
• TOD
  
• RS232 timing interface
  

Optional outputs include:

• IRIG-B
  
• 10 MHz square wave
  
• 10 MHz sine wave
  
• PTP
  
• Dry-contact alarm
  

The 1PPS output provides a UTC timing deviation of less than 30 ns RMS under specified operating conditions.

10 MHz Frequency Outputs

For systems requiring a stable frequency reference, optional 10 MHz outputs are available.

10 MHz Square Wave

• LvTTL level
  
• Accuracy and stability based on the internal timing reference
  

10 MHz Sine Wave

• 50 Ω impedance
  
• Output power >7 dBm
  
• Accuracy and stability based on the internal timing reference
  
• Phase-noise characteristics based on the internal timing reference
  

Flexible External Reference Inputs

The APX-TS400 can accept optional external timing references, including:

• 1PPS + TOD
  
• IRIG-B
  
• IEEE 1588v2 PTP
  

This allows the system to be integrated into existing synchronization infrastructures and used with external reference sources.

Network Management and Monitoring

The APX-TS400 provides comprehensive monitoring and management capabilities.

Supported functions include:

• SNMP
  
• SYSLOG
  
• Email alarms
  
• SSH
  
• Telnet
  
• Console management
  
• Event and system logging
  
• NTP server status monitoring
  
• GNSS reference status monitoring
  
• NTP client monitoring
  
• Time-offset monitoring
  
• Reference lock-loss alarms
  
• Synchronization status alarms
  
• Status-change alarms
  

The monitoring system can display server synchronization status, timing offset, reference-source information, satellite status, and connected NTP client information.

SNMP and Network Management Integration

The APX-TS400 supports SNMPv1/v2/v2c/v3 and MIB II, allowing integration with network management platforms.

The system can provide alarms and monitoring information for synchronization status, reference sources, network services, and system conditions.

Timing Performance

Actual synchronization performance depends on the GNSS reference condition, network architecture, configuration, and selected timing reference.

Network & Protocol Support

Timing Interfaces

1PPS Output

• UTC timing deviation:<30 ns="" rms="">
  
• TTL level
  
• Positive edge
  
• 100 ms pulse width
  

TOD Output

• RS232
  
• 9600 baud
  
• 8-N-1
  
• Time and position information
  

Optional IRIG-B

• IRIG-B input/output
  
• RS422 input option
  
• DC output option
  
• TTL / RS422 output levels
  
• Supports GJB2991A-2008-compatible configurations
  

Optional 10 MHz Output

• 10 MHz square wave
  
• 10 MHz sine wave
  
• 50 Ω impedance for sine-wave output
  
• Output power >7 dBm for sine-wave configuration
  

Hardware Interfaces

Standard Interfaces

• 1 × GNSS antenna input, BNC, 5 V antenna feed
  
• 6 × Gigabit Ethernet RJ45
  
• 4 × Gigabit SFP
  
• 1 × RS232 console interface
  
• 2 × RS232 TOD interfaces
  
• 1 × 1PPS BNC output
  
• USB interfaces
  
• VGA interface
  

Optional Interfaces

• External timing reference input
  
• PTP input/output
  
• IRIG-B
  
• 10 MHz frequency output
  
• Dry-contact alarm interface
  

System Monitoring Software

The APX-TS400 can be integrated with timing monitoring software for centralized system management.

Monitoring functions include:

• NTP server status
  
• Server synchronization status
  
• Time offset
  
• Reference-source lock status
  
• GNSS positioning information
  
• Satellite status
  
• NTP client access information
  
• Client time offset
  
• Threshold alarms
  
• Reference lock-loss alarms
  
• Status-change alarms
  

SNMP, SYSLOG, and email notification functions can be used for integration with existing network management systems.

Operating Environment

Applications

The APX-TS400 is suitable for timing-critical network environments, including:

• Telecommunications and 5G Networks
  
• Data Centers
  
• Power Grid Synchronization
  
• Industrial Automation
  
• Financial Networks
  
• Enterprise IT Networks
  
• Transportation Systems
  
• Oil & Gas Infrastructure
  
• Distributed Control Systems
  
• Database Clusters
  
• Network Management Systems
  
• Critical Infrastructure
  
• Multi-site Network Synchronization
  

OEM & Custom Solutions

APEX supports project-based configuration and OEM customization for network timing applications.

Depending on project requirements, the APX-TS400 platform can be configured with different timing references, network interfaces, PTP functions, frequency outputs, external reference inputs, monitoring functions, and redundancy architectures.

For specific interface combinations or system integration requirements, please contact the APEX technical team.