White Rabbit project: a brief survey of time and clock synchronization

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the White Rabbit (WR) project, a high-precision, Ethernet-based time and clock synchronization system. Initially developed collaboratively involving various academic and research institutions, WR demonstrates exceptional synchronization accuracy, as evidenced by simulations and experimental results. Notable advancements include the WR Precision Time Protocol (WRPTP), which achieves sub-nanosecond precision, and innovative synchronization techniques utilizing single-wavelength light in single-mode fibers. The protocol finds application in diverse fields, including particle detection, scientific instrumentation, and telecommunications. This review examines the principal technological improvements, FPGA-based implementations, and a broad range of applications enabled by WR technology, highlighting its significance in advancing synchronization precision across various technological sectors.