Application Notes

PTP Within A ST2110 Deployment

Sithideth Viengkhou
Francois Gagnon
Joel Martel
Renaud Lavoie



In our previous white paper entitled ‘Transparent vs. Boundary clocks (PTP) in the Broadcast Environment, ( https://www.embrionix.com/resource/transparent_boundary_clock_ST2059_in_broadcast ), we offered a ten-thousand foot view of  PTP in the broadcast IP environment to introduce the concept of PTP for broadcast engineers, technicians, system integrators and anyone interested in the subject.

 Embrionix has deployed ST2110 systems around the world and found a common set of challenges are always present during ST2110 deployments. For this reason, we created a new white paper on the takeaways from our different experiences. As a reminder from the previous PTP white paper, SMPTE uses the PTP as the synchronization mechanism for video, audio and metadata over IP. The AES also uses PTP for AES67 synchronisation. The following figure (Figure.1) shows the typical configuration of a network with PTP.

Figure 1. Video and Time Reference in an IP Media Facility (courtesy, Michel Proulx)


TAKEAWAYS FROM DEPLOYMENT

The following sections provide an overview of the key takeaways from our various installations/deployments around the globe. The goal of this document is to highlight some key points that the Embrionix team discovered during deployment in various systems. Our team understands that the ST2110 specification, moving forward, will add more key points and we consider those as equally important as the ones covered in this document. We will do our best effort to keep this document up to date to help our customers avoid roadblocks and pitfalls.


PTP: BACKBONE OF THE ST2110 DEPLOYMENT

One of our team’s most important takeaways: Without a stable and constant PTP, the ST2110 system will not work or will only partially work with glitches on video and pops in the audio. It is preferable that your system has at least one PTP Grandmaster to be considered synchronous in ST2110 specification. The Embrionix team considers the PTP Grandmaster as mandatory for ST2110 deployment, not unlike the black burst as mandatory in an SDI installation.

A key action for SDI studios and installations is to synchronize every incoming feed with the studio’s black burst reference to ensure the vertical blanking is aligned. In ST2110 there is no vertical blanking, however all the ‘0’ pixels should be aligned. This is achieved with PTP and timestamping.

PTP acts in the same way as a black burst reference signal. The major difference when using PTP, compared to a legacy reference signal, resides in the definition of an absolute origin point in time (1970-01-01T00:00:00TAI), defined as SMPTE Epoch. PTP time is zero at Epoch and then starts counting forward up to now. Similarly, a video signal synchronized to PTP would have its VSYNC occur at the SMPTE Epoch and then, at every frame rate increment, up to now.

In a ST2110 system, alignment between video sources and PTP reference is done through a timestamping mechanism. Every field/frame of video is timestamped using the value of the PTP time when its VSYNC (hereafter defined as the alignment point) occurs.

In the case of multiple video streams, timestamps in the packets should all be in sync for the receiver to welcome all synchronized feeds and subsequently allow for desired processing.


Take away:  One PTP Grandmaster is mandatory for any ST2110 deployment. Embrionix can guide you in the choice of a PTP Grandmaster.


PTP VS SDI SYNCHRONIZATION

Having a PTP in the system is mandatory, but during the transition from an SDI system to ST2110, a synchronization between the PTP and the black burst (SDI sync) is also critical. Of course, frame synchronizers can fix free-run SDI incoming feeds.

ST2110 is used widely within a studio environment, and therefore latency is critical. To minimize delay, it is a good practice to synchronize the SDI inputs with the studio/plant reference before the gateway. Otherwise, the incoming signals will need to be frame- synchronized with the PTP, which adds one frame of delay (Figure 2.).


Figure 2. Sender with Frame Sync on PTP

SMPTE Standard ST2059-1 defines that the feed should be locked on the PTP alignment point (AP). In addition, the ST2110-10 Standard defines synchronous senders as senders aligned to PTP. The specification also defines asynchronous sender types not synchronized to PTP which will therefore need a frame sync before or inside of the 2110 encapsulator. The majority of deployed systems are using synchronous senders.

Signal generator not Epoch-aware versus Epoch-aware PTP generator

Bridging between SDI and IP brings some challenges between not Epoch-aware equipment and Epoch-aware generators. Legacy signal generators aren’t always Epoch-aware; these generators were used to lock on the frequency, but not necessarily on phase or any defined Epoch. Nowadays, signal generators and PTP generators are Epoch-aware (ST2059-1), which makes them lock on both phase and frequency. The following figure (Figure 3.) shows the offset (between the AP and the VSYNC) that can occur when the studio legacy black burst is not phase-aligned with SMPTE Epoch.


Figure 3. Offset Between Not-Epoch-Aware VSYNC and PTP Alignment Point


Take away:  In a ST2110 receiver, there is no provision for adjustable compensation offset. Embrionix products have compensation offset engines to enable you to use non-Epoch-aware signal generators.


PTP VS. MULTI-ESSENCE STREAM SYNCHRONIZATION

When working with a ST2110 system, all the SDI essences, i.e. video, audio and ANC, are transmitted over IP separately. You then need a way to link back together those separated streams when required. This is achieved using packet timestamping. The PTP Grandmaster's time must be used to generate those ST2110 timestamps, as it is the unique common point of reference in the system for all the streams.

When correctly timestamped on the sender side, a receiver will always be able to realign all of its incoming multi-essence streams, regardless of the delay difference between the paths in the network. That realignment, based on PTP time, is critical for a user to process with manipulations like clean-switch between sources or to compensate for lip-sync issues.

The following figure (Figure 4.) shows different senders, with video and audio essences or video essence only, transmitting timestamped packets over different network paths, all up to one receiver device. This receiver places incoming video and audio into their respective buffer space and realigns everything at its output, reading the right packet, (i.e.: the one with the timestamp to be read, from the buffers according to the PTP time value).

Figure 4. Importance of Packet Timestamping for Realignment


Take away:  In a ST2110 system, a PTP Grandmaster, along with synchronous sources, is critical to allow for correct realignment of several multi-essence streams. Embrionix receivers have realignment engines to make sure essences at the output are well aligned together and to the PTP reference.


GRANDMASTER, BOUNDARY CLOCK, SLAVE LOAD

It is important to understand the role of each clock type.  Please see the following whitepaper entitled: Transparent Vs Boundary clocks (PTP) in Broadcast Environment by Embrionix that touches on this subject:   https://www.embrionix.com/resource/transparent_boundary_clock_ST2059_in_broadcast


UNDERSTANDING THE NETWORK CLOCK TREE

The clock tree choice will impact the amount of PTP traffic going around the network.  In an ideal network, the Grandmaster would only see boundary clocks, that in turn shall be master to their respective downstream slave devices.  This makes scaling easier, reduces traffic to the Grandmaster and makes policing of traffic much easier.

In Figure 5., the PTP Grandmaster only sees two (2) slave clocks.  Adding a slave clock to group A or group B will not impact the Grandmaster.  These groups can grow or change as required.


Figure 5. Boundary Clock in Details


Some of the downsides of having the slave clock directly connected to the Grandmaster include increased workload; limited system scalability and challenges to traffic policing (as some slave devices might not support a certain type of PTP message mode, Ex: Slave A-2 supports only multicast messages and Slave B-1 supports only hybrid modes).



Figure 6. Uncontrolled Slave Clock Connection to Grandmaster


Brief overiew of PTP message types:

Unicast: All messages between slave and master are unicast.

Multicast: All messages between slave and master are multicast.

Hybrid: All messagess are multicast except delay request and delay response messages which are unicast.

Figure 7. Type of PTP IP Packets Communication: Unicast, Multicast and Hybrid

Take away: Embrionix recommends a Grandmaster-to-boundary clock architecture to ease scalability, reduce traffic to the Grandmaster and make policing of traffic much easier.


QOS IMPORTANCE FOR PTP VS. SDI ESSENCE AND MANAGEMENT TRAFFIC

If PTP traffic shares the same physical transport medium as ST2110 essences, then it is important to establish a priority by traffic type.  PTP packets are small compared to essence flows (either -20, -30 or -40).  The time interval between PTP packets will be longer than any essence packets.  If bandwidth of transmission medium is reached, the smallest and sparest packets shall be dropped without rules (See Figure 8. & 9.).


Figure 8: Packet Size Comparison by Type

Figure 9: Packet Time Interval Comparison by Type.

Take away: Embrionix recommends prioritizing PTP packets by employing policies on high bandwidth usage.  Embrionix can help with policies guidelines.


CONCLUSION

PTP is the backbone of any ST2110 deployment

Embrionix recommends one PTP Grandmaster as mandatory for any ST2110 deployment to be considered synchronous in ST2110 specification. The PTP Grandmaster, along with synchronous sources, is critical to allow for correct realignment of several multi-essence streams. A Grandmaster-to-boundary clock architecture will ease scalability, reduce traffic to the Grandmaster and make policing of traffic much easier.

In a ST2110 system, receivers must have realignment engines, such as Embrionix offers, to make sure essences at the output are well aligned together and to the PTP reference. As ST2110 receivers don’t allow for adjustable compensation offset, it is important to integrate product solutions, such as those from Embrionix, that include compensation offset engines to enable the use of non-Epoch-aware signal generators. Finally, Embrionix recommends prioritizing PTP packets by employing policies on high bandwidth usage. 


For more information about our products. Please contact us at Embrionix_Sales@riedel.net 


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About Embrionix

Embrionix, a subsidiary of Riedel Communications, designs and builds innovative, advanced SMPTE video SFPs to close the gap between fiber optic deployments, coaxial deployments, legacy composite deployments, and emerging technologies, such SDI to IP SFPs. By leveraging its core competencies in video broadcast, the company OEMs highly flexible SFP modules (emSFP) to major manufacturers in the industry. Embrionix headquarters are based in Laval, Quebec. Embrionix sales offices, representatives, and distribution offices are located in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan.

About Riedel Communications 

Riedel Communications designs, manufactures, and distributes pioneering real-time video, audio, data, and communications networks for broadcast, pro audio, event, sports, theater, and security applications. The company also provides rental services for radio and intercom systems, event IT solutions, fiber backbones, and wireless signal transmission systems that scale easily for events of any size, anywhere in the world. Riedel is headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany, and employs over 700 people in 25 locations throughout Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas.

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