Speaker
Description
Muography is emerging not only as a powerful non-invasive imaging technique, but also as a useful tool for Positioning-Navigation-Timing (PNT) systems and cryptography [1]. In this context, the timestamping capability of the muographic detectors is becoming increasingly important, requiring precise time synchronization across distributed detector modules, often deployed over large physical areas and harsh environments. Ethernet-based synchronization technologies —specifically the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) [2] and White Rabbit [3]— offer scalable, cost-effective, and high-precision timing solutions that can meet these stringent requirements while leveraging standard networking infrastructure.
PTP (IEEE 1588) enables sub-microsecond synchronization over conventional Ethernet networks and is widely adopted in telecommunications and industrial automation [4]. White Rabbit, an extension of PTP originally developed at CERN for distributed detector systems, combines sub-nanosecond accuracy with deterministic data transfer and syntonization, making it particularly suited for high-resolution time-of-flight measurements and coincidence detection in particle physics experiments.
This contribution evaluates the applicability of these technologies to industrial muography systems. We analyze synchronization requirements derived from spatial resolution, detector geometry, and event-rate constraints, and compare achievable timing performance, scalability, robustness, and cost. We further discuss integration architectures for distributed scintillator or gaseous detector arrays, including hybrid data acquisition networks that merge timing and data traffic.
The transfer of Ethernet-based synchronization solutions from high-energy physics—in particular, White Rabbit—can significantly improve the usefulness, reliability, modularity, and deployment flexibility of muography instruments. These technologies represent a path toward standardized and interoperable synchronization infrastructures for the next generation of muographic applications.
[1] Tanaka, H.K.M., Bozza, C., Bross, A. et al. Muography. Nat Rev Methods Primers 3, 88 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-023-00270-7
[2] "IEEE Standard for a Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol for Networked Measurement and Control Systems," in IEEE Std 1588-2008 (Revision of IEEE Std 1588-2002) , vol., no., pp.1-269, 24 July 2008, https://doi: 10.1109/IEEESTD.2008.4579760
[3] V. Guita (ed). “White Rabbit Specification (latest version)”. GitLab, 2011. https://gitlab.com/ohwr/project/wr-std/-/wikis/Documents/White-Rabbit-Specification-(latest-version)
[4] Y. -S. Chen, Y. -S. Chu, d. -W. Lo, Y. -T. Chiang y T. -C. Hou. "Chip Design of PTP Time Synchronization for Industrial IoT", IEEE Access, vol. 13, pp. 21966-21979, 2025.