Time synchronization has three responsibilities:
- The device accepting the Time synchronization request.
- The device acting as a Time controller.
- Time synchronization using Network Time Protocol (NTP).
Prerequisite: Project has Time controller enabled in ABT Site.
NOTE: Once Time synchronization is started, it by default sends the UTC Time synchronization and Time synchronization to the recipients.
Property | Description |
---|---|
UTC time syncr.recipients | Used to control the restrictions placed on a device’s use of the UTC time synchronization service. |
Time synchr. recipients | Used to control the restrictions placed on a device’s use of the Time synchronization service. |
Align intervals | Specifies whether clock-aligned periodic time synchronization is enabled. If periodic time synchronization is enabled and the time synchronization interval is a factor or an hour or day, then the beginning of the period specified for time synchronization is aligned to the hour or day. |
Time synch. interval | Specifies the periodic interval in minutes at which Time synchronization and UTC Time synchronization requests is sent. If the value is zero, then periodic time synchronization is disabled. |
Interval offset | Specifies the offset in minutes from the beginning of the period specified for Time synchronization until the actual time synchronization requests are sent. Interval offset has no effect if it is FALSE. |
Time synchronization
Time synchronization is a service used by a Time controller to notify one or more remote devices of the correct current time so that the remote devices can synchronize their internal clocks with one another.
NOTE: You need to be a part of the recipient list in order to receive a Time synchronization request.
Recipients can be added by recipient device instance number.
- Navigate to Object view > Device > Infrastructure > the automation station.
- Click , scroll through the properties and select Time synchr.recipients.
- Select a recipient in the recipient list.
- Enter the Network number and MAC address and click in the drop-down to save changes.
- The local time is updated, and this change displays in the Local time property of the device object.
UTC Time synchronization
UTC Time synchronization is used by a Time controller to notify one or more remote devices of the correct Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) so that devices can synchronize their internal clocks with one another, and the intended date and time value is sent as part of the service request.
NOTE:
- UTC Time synchronization has the ability to account for daylight savings time.
- You need to be a part of the recipient list in order to receive a Time synchronization request.
Recipients can be added by recipient device instance number.
- Navigate to Object view > Device > Infrastructure > the automation station.
- Click , scroll through the properties and select UTCTime synchr.recipients.
- Select a recipient in the recipient list.
- Enter the Network number and MAC address and click in the drop-down to save changes.
- The local time and date is updated by subtracting the value of UTC Offset property from the time parameter.
Time synchronization using Network Time Protocol (NTP)
If a device object has an NTP property, then the device connects with the NTP server every 12 hours and select the new time. If the time difference between the receiver and the current time is greater than five seconds, the device automatically adjusts its time.
NOTE: If the time is less than five seconds, it does not adjust the time.