This standard defines a protocol enabling precise synchronization of clocks in measurement and control
systems implemented with technologies such as network communication, local computing, and distributed
objects. The protocol is applicable to systems communicating by local area networks supporting multicast
messaging including, but not limited to, Ethernet. The protocol enables heterogeneous systems that include
clocks of various inherent precision, resolution, and stability to synchronize to a grandmaster clock. The
protocol supports system-wide synchronization accuracy in the sub-microsecond range with minimal
network and local clock computing resources. The default behavior of the protocol allows simple systems
to be installed and operated without requiring the administrative attention of users. The standard includes
mappings to User Datagram Protocol (UDP)/Internet Protocol (IP), DeviceNet, and a layer-2 Ethernet
implementation. It includes formal mechanisms for message extensions, higher sampling rates, correction
for asymmetry, a clock type to reduce error accumulation in large topologies, and specifications on how to
incorporate the resulting additional data into the synchronization protocol. The standard permits
synchronization accuracies better than 1 ns. The protocol has features to address applications where
redundancy and security are a requirement. The standard defines conformance and management capability.
There is provision to support unicast as well as multicast messaging. The standard includes an annex on
recommended practices. Annexes defining communication-medium-specific implementation details for
additional network implementations are expected to be provided in future versions of this standard.