IEEE ratifies IEEE 802.3bf for Ethernet support of time distribution and synchronization protocols

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The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a professional association for the advancement of technology, announced the ratification of IEEE 802.3bf TM -2011, Ethernet support for time synchronization protocols. An amendment to the IEEE 802.3 TM Ethernet standard, IEEE 802.3bf provides the hardware support for time distribution and synchronization protocols, e.g., IEEE 1588 TM and IEEE 802.1AS TM -2011.

This amendment to the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard paves the way for the rapid adoption of the IEEE 802.1 TM Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) protocol technologies in existing and future networks.

The IEEE 802.3bf standard, ratified May 16, 2011 and developed in close collaboration with the IEEE 802.1 Working Group, addresses the growing demand for an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) agnostic solution for the support of time distribution and synchronization protocols, while minimizing changes to existing Ethernet PHYs and maintaining the layering rules of Ethernet transport. IEEE 802.3bf-2011 provides one of the critical pieces in the overall solution of synchronization over packet networks. 

“The audio and video communities have been using Ethernet technologies for years as a high-performance, low-cost transport. IEEE 802.3bf-2011 and the IEEE 802.1 AVB protocol suite allow for precise timing across the network-a critical function for delivery of high-quality audio and video in real time. For the first time, this can be accomplished using interoperable IEEE 802 technologies, rather than many proprietary and incompatible solutions,” said Steve Carlson, chair, IEEE 802.3bf Task Force, president, High Speed Design.