The core has been designed to cater to the specialised needs of the satellite communication industry and facilitates clock synchronisation and reference source solutions.
Network Clock Reference (NCR) plays a pivotal role in ensuring precise time synchronisation between satellites and user terminals. The NCR Processor IP core disseminates master clock information from the satellite to all connected user terminals. Traditionally, NCR packets are transmitted periodically over continuous DVB-S2 or DVB-S2X links. User terminals then utilise this master clock knowledge to regulate data transmission in time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems, such as DVB-RCS or DVB-RCS2. In TDMA systems, multiple terminals share the same frequency band, necessitating a strict transmission schedule.
Creonic's NCR Processor IP core is equipped with two key functionalities:
- The NCR tracker within the IP core provides a local NCR clock, which is frequency- and phase-latched to incoming DVB-S2/DVB-S2X streams containing NCR information.
- The NCR local clock offers a precisely settable NCR source clock, provided a stable 27 MHz clock and a precise 1 PPS (Pulse Per Second) source are available.
Its AXI4-Lite interface allows for much simpler configuration and retrieval of status information. In addition, the core seamlessly integrates with other Creonic components, including the DVB-S2X Modulator and Demodulator, DVB-S2X Decoder and DVB-RCS2 Modulator, making it a versatile choice for satellite communication systems.
