Symmetricom Expands SyncWorld Ecosystem Program to Power Utilities

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Symmetricom^®, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYMM), a worldwide leader in precision time and frequency technologies, today introduced a new category to its SyncWorld^® Ecosystem Program dedicated to the power utility industry. Developed to support integration and interoperability among power utility and Symmetricom solutions, the SyncWorld Power Ecosystem aims to facilitate unified deployments of timing and synchronization in substation modernization and synchrophasor applications.

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As power utilities shift to the Smart Grid, they gain the ability to monitor in real time, allowing for proactive operations control. Thus, advanced synchronization and timing are now more critical than ever, enabling power equipment to operate more efficiently and closer to its operational limits. For example, one microsecond accuracy is required by the phasor measurement unit (PMU) for real-time network situational awareness and overall operational efficiency. Without accurate time stamps, PMU data has limited value. For power utility companies, that translates into enhanced network utilization rates as well as smarter management and mixing of renewable and traditional power sources.

"Over the last few years, we have seen an increasing need and value for precise timing and synchronization in power grid infrastructures," said Charles Newton, president, Newton-Evans Research Company. "These functions play a key role in helping power utility companies enhance network utilization rates and improve management and mixing of renewables and traditional power sources."

Ecosystem vendors in the Power segment represent all major components required in substation and synchrophasor applications, including switch vendors and intelligent electronic device (IED)/ PMU vendors. In order to participate, vendors must work with Symmetricom to develop a joint solution, complete successful solution testing and commit to ongoing technical and business activities to ensure joint success.

Interoperability is a key requirement to join the SyncWorld Power Ecosystem Program. Using various test cases with a defined standard for testing, Symmetricom focuses its assessment on the performance of a product's IEEE 1588 power profile. During testing, Symmetricom clocks act as the master clocks, switches act as transparent clocks, and IED/PMU products act as slave clocks.

"With the introduction of the SyncWorld Power segment, we will drive collaboration and innovation among the industry's leading power utility vendors," said Manish Gupta, vice president of marketing at Symmetricom. "Whether it's comprehensive, integrated and simplified solutions for power utility customers, or extended sales and marketing reach for vendors, the SyncWorld Ecosystem Program offers benefits for all participants in the power industry."

The SyncWorld power segment launch compliments Symmetricom's expanding portfolio of solutions for the power utility market. Earlier this year Symmetricom introduced the SyncServer SGC-1500 Smart Grid Clock to provide power utility companies accurate, secure and reliable timing and synchronization for their mission-critical operations. This means companies like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) will be able to mitigate outages with real-time monitoring for grid stress, frequency instability, voltage instability and reliability margins.

Symmetricom is committed to partnering with trusted end-to-end technology providers. To learn more about the SyncWorld Ecosystem Program, visit: www.symmetricom.com/syncworld.

Additional Resources

• Video: Symmetricom SyncServer SGC-1500 Smart Grid Clock
• White Paper: "Profile for the Use of the Precision Time Protocol in Power Systems"

About Symmetricom, Inc.
Symmetricom (NASDAQ:SYMM), a world leader in precise time solutions, sets the world's standard for time. The company generates, distributes and applies precise time for the communications, aerospace/defense, IT infrastructure, power and metrology industries. Symmetricom's customers, from communications service providers and network equipment manufacturers to governments and their suppliers worldwide, are able to build more reliable networks and systems by using the company's advanced timing technologies, atomic clocks, services and solutions. All products support today's precise timing standards, including GPS-based timing, IEEE 1588 (PTP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Synchronous Ethernet and DOCSIS^® timing. Symmetricom is based in San Jose, Calif., with offices worldwide. For more information, visit: http://www.symmetricom.com or join the dialogue at http://www.twitter.com/symmetricom.

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Symmetricom Contact:
Tracy Schriver
Symmetricom, Inc.
t: 408-964-7649
[email protected]

Media Contact:
Liam Rose
GolinHarris for Symmetricom
t: 415-318-4380
[email protected]  

Supporting Quotes:

Belden Inc.
"Increasing automation is likely to require synchronization at a rate in the tens of nanoseconds. It is incumbent upon equipment suppliers such as Belden and Symmetricom to develop, market and support the standards-based hardware and software required to maintain that level of precision. With Belden's membership in the Symmetricom SyncWorld Ecosystem Program, our power transmission and distribution customers are assured that GarrettCom's robust substation-hardened switches and Symmetricom's Grandmaster timing clock will interoperate seamlessly. Together we offer our customers the best tools to access, monitor and maximize the performance of their grids," said Carey Trost, Belden Director of Product Line Management.

Cisco Systems, Inc.
"Symmetricom is a member of the Cisco Developer Network (CDN) where we have been working together to ensure that our respective products are tested and certified for interoperability. We utilize Symmetricom's Power Profile products in our development and solutions labs. We look forward to continuing this collaboration to the benefit of our customers," said Malay Thaker, Product Manager, Connected Energy CDN Program, Cisco. 

MOXA
"By demonstrating IEEE 1588 solution compatibility, Moxa customers are ensured of a reliable and easy-to-configure connection that will maintain service continuity around the clock using the winning combination of the PT-7728-PTP and SGC-1500, " said Jim Toepper, Product Marketing Manager for Moxa.

Siemens/Ruggedcom
"Symmetricom's SyncWorld Ecosystem Program is an impressive combination of tested timing products. The company is a global leader in time synchronization technology and the RSG2288 is a strong addition to the program," said Jim Slinowsky, VP Product Management, RUGGEDCOM product portfolio.

SOURCE Symmetricom, Inc.