# CIP Sync

Protocols · `CIP Sync` · verification: source checked

CIP Sync is a time-synchronization mechanism for industrial automation control applications. It is compliant with IEEE-1588 and states synchronization accuracy between two devices of fewer than 100 nanoseconds. It uses a Time Sync object and associated services to synchronize devices, including motion axes, over conventional switched Ethernet.

## Specification

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Transports | ethernet_l2 |
| Architecture | producer consumer |
| Encoding | binary |
| Standard body | IEEE |
| Standard ref | IEEE-1588 |

## Study notes

- CIP Sync uses a Time Sync object and associated services to synchronize devices using time.
- Synchronization accuracy between two devices is stated as fewer than 100 nanoseconds.
- Real-time synchronization can be achieved over conventional Ethernet systems with a switch-based architecture.
- CIP Sync is not restricted by many constraints imposed by event-based or time-sliced implementations.

## Sources

1. [CIP Sync™ | Common Industrial Protocol | ODVA Technologies](https://www.odva.org/technology-standards/distinct-cip-services/cip-sync/) (accessed 2026-10-25)

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