OPAL-RT's time synchronization interface, which includes a kit and software driver, allows users to timestamp their models running on a Real-Time Simulator and to perform different synchronization configurations. There are three connectors available:

• The first can be used to synchronize the simulator with an external precision time source using IRIG-B or 1PPS, or to generate an IRIG-B or 1PPS signal.

• The second allows for the continuous generation of a clock signal based on the time step of the real-time model, which can be sent externally. This signal allows for FPGA simulations or external devices to be synchronized with the simulator.

• The third allows for IEEE-1588 PTP to be received for external time precision time synchronization.

IRIG time code B (IRIG-B) is widely used in the electrical power industry. IRIG-B has a pulse rate of 100 pulses-per-second with an index count of 10 milliseconds over its one-second time frame. It contains time-of-year and year information in a BCD format, and (optionally) seconds-of-day in SBS.

A pulse per second (PPS or 1PPS) is an electrical signal that has a width of less than one second and a sharply rising or abruptly falling edge that accurately repeats once per second.

IEEE-1588 is the standard that 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.