Research Note: AMG Systems’ New Hardened NTP Time Servers

AMG Systems recently introduced its new line of NTP Servers aimed at closed industrial networks needing a secure and industrial hardened time synching solution. The product line consists of four models allowing for AC/DC power flexibility and both DIN Rail and 19-inch rack mounting options.

Background: Why is NTP Important?

Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers have become a critical component in manufacturing environments. Their ability to ensure precise time synchronization across manufacturing systems and IoT devices is critical for process coordination, maintaining production schedules, and ensuring that all aspects of the manufacturing process are synchronized.

Precision is key to an effective NTP server, reducing time-based errors, and enabling real-time process control monitoring and optimization. Additionally, NTP servers allow for extreme accuracy of timestamped data, which is a key enabler for data traceability, quality control, and regulatory compliance.

The modern manufacturing environment (Industry 4.0/ IoT) is challenged with accessing public time services while maintaining an ultra-secure operating environment. Additionally, as the time source distance increases so does the potential for time drift, which can be a critical issue for high-speed manufacturing processes.

Localizing the placement of an NTP time server ensures that time synchronization between devices is consistent, reducing downtime, data errors, and improving the overall operational efficiency of the manufacturing environment. The AMG NTP devices’ industrial design allows for field installations in close proximity to IoT devices most in need of time synching services.

AMG810/816 Series NTP Servers

The AMG810/816 series of NTP servers are fully hardened NTP servers capable of operating at extreme temperatures in IP-rated housings. The devices are designed to meet the demands of modern manufacturing environments and offer multiple user selectable GPS constellation time sources.

Key features of the new NTP Servers include:

1. Closed Loop Network: The AMG810/816 Series provides accurate time codes without a direct internet connection. The time synching is accomplished via a direct synch with GNSS satellite constellations.
2. User-selectable GNSS Options: Support for the four publicly available GNSS constellations, including GPS (United States), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China); with up to three constellations available for simultaneous use, provide a time accuracy of +/- 100nanoseconds.
3. TAA and NDAA Complaint: The AMG810/816 Series is fully compliant with the Trade Agreement Act (TAA) and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), allowing for US government use and environments requiring strict controls for devices deployed in production environments. All components are designed and manufactured in US and UK ISO9001-certified facilities.
4. Flexible Configurations: The product line comes in multiple form factors, and power supply options.
   1. Mounting- Small form factor DIN mounting and 19-inch rack models are both available.
   2. Power- 12-24VDC, and PoE are options for the DIN mounted models. 85-264 VAC is required for the 19-inch rack mounted option.

Analysis

With their products being used in a variety of industries including oil & gas, security, and manufacturing, AMG Systems is not a new entry into the industrial networking space. The AMG NTP server offering is an extension of the AMG portfolio that completes the company’s industrial networking product line.

The AMG810/816 series brings to market a secure time keeping solution designed for the industrial customer looking for TAA and NDAA complaint hardware for use in sensitive closed loop environments. As IoT device deployments pick up momentum, so does the need for accurate time stamping. Full GNSS availability is an attractive option for customers with critical time stamping needs in a non-internet connected environment. Allowing for multiple form factors and mounting solutions, and both AC and DC power options, the AMG offering has the technical specifications designed for multiple use cases.

From a competitive perspective, the AMG offering will directly impact other industrial networking vendors such as ATOP Technologies and BÜRK MOMATIME. Both competitors stand to be equally impacted as neither of its products lines have the much sought-after TAA and NDAA compliance.

AMG Systems’ TAA and NDAA compliant products, like the AMG810/816 series NTP servers, provide a significant advantage in markets requiring these certifications, particularly for government and defense contractors. This compliance ensures that AMG Systems can cater to a broader range of clients, including those with stringent regulatory requirements, potentially shifting market dynamics in their favor.

AMG’s strategic focus on industrial networking – media converters, managed and unmanaged switches, wireless ethernet, and analog fiber transmission- puts the company into a strong position in the industrial NTP market. Industry trends provide a unique opportunity for AMG to corner the TAA and NDAA centric market with customers looking to ensure compliance with US trade agreements and national security concerns.

Competitve Analysis & Advice to IT Buyers

These sections are only available to NAND Research clients. Please reach out to [email protected] to learn more.