Test & Measurement
Time-based measurements in modern test and measurement systems
Time-based test and measurement systems are opening up exciting new possibilities, including simulation and AI models. What is driving this development, and what potential applications could emerge? Furthermore, what new challenges does it create for developers and test engineers? Peter Plazotta, CEO and founder of Technical Software Engineering Plazotta GmbH, explores the opportunities and implications
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raditional test and measurement systems typically featured a centralized, star-shaped architecture. A control computer managed the measurement
process (controlling measurement instruments and the device under test/DUT) and executed the individual test steps. These T&M systems rarely involved precise timing or temporal synchronization. Trigger lines were used to sequence individual test steps, but they were not required to meet specific timing specifications (Picture 1).
Time synchronization standards This basic architecture worked excellently for more than 30 years. However, as early as 1990, the T&M sector recognized the need for systems that also incorporated a time reference. Although GPS systems capable of providing superior accuracy were already available at the time, this alternative was not yet cost-effective.
In addition, the goal was to achieve improved accuracy using existing infrastructure. To this end, a working group led by John C. Eidson was established at Hewlett-Packard in the early 1990s to develop a concept for enhancing the NTP standard. The results published by John C. Eidson in 2000 generated such interest among test and measurement companies that a decision was made to create a dedicated IEEE standard for this new type of time synchronization. In 2002, the IEEE 1588-2002 standard was subsequently completed and released. This standard paved the way for achieving sub-microsecond accuracy. In 2008, the standard was updated to meet current requirements and ratified
36 October 2026
Image material (Copyright: TSEP):
(Above) Picture1: Classic centralized measurement setup.
(Above right) Picture 2: TSEP Chronos 1588, Sync Difference Measurement Master / Slave.
(Right) Picture 3: TSEP Herakles.Testbench: Configuration software for measurement scenarios.
as IEEE 1588-2008. It underwent further revision in 2019, resulting in the IEEE 1588- 2019 PTP v2.1 version, which introduced improvements in the following areas: Improved time synchronization / accuracy Applicability to localized systems with the potential for use in larger systems
Maintenance-free operation Suitability for both high-end and low-end devices
Components in Electronics
Management control for redundant and fault-tolerant systems
This made it possible to precisely determine the timing of the measurement. With the help of the IEEE 1588-2019 standard, accuracies of +/- 20 ns were certainly achievable in an Ethernet network. Modern, optimized systems deliver even better performance, reaching the single- digit nanosecond range (Picture 2).
Initial applications were implemented in nuclear power plants, for example. In these cases, all measurements taken within the plant were assigned corresponding timestamps. These measured values were then stored centrally, allowing them to be correlated and analysed offline using the timestamps.
A similar requirement existed at CERN for the LHC. The large LHC ring has a
www.cieonline.co.uk
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