Private bug reported:
PCIe Precision Time Measurement (PTM) is a capability defined in the PCI
Express specification that enables precise time synchronization between
components in a PCIe hierarchy. PTM allows endpoints and root complexes
to establish a common notion of time by exchanging timing messages and
calculating path delays.
This feature is critical for latency-sensitive and time-synchronized
applications such as high-frequency trading, telecom (5G), real-time
analytics, and distributed systems. PTM operates by designating a PTM
Root (typically the Root Complex) and PTM Responders (endpoints),
enabling accurate timestamping across devices.
Feature Request:
Requested details to be enabled on OS:
Enable PCIe PTM capability detection and enumeration in the PCI subsystem.
Support PTM Root and PTM Responder roles in kernel and platform firmware.
Expose PTM timing information to user space via sysfs or appropriate APIs.
Integrate PTM with existing time synchronization frameworks (e.g., PTP/PHC).
Update device drivers (NICs, accelerators) to utilize PTM timestamps where
applicable.
Ensure interoperability with PCIe switches and retimers supporting PTM.
Provide validation and diagnostics tools for PTM accuracy and drift
measurement.
Enable PTM support in virtualization environments (KVM/QEMU passthrough
scenarios).
Document configuration and usage of PTM across supported platforms.
Business Justification:
- Enables high-precision time synchronization across PCIe devices.
- Improves performance for latency-sensitive and real-time workloads.
- Supports telecom, financial, and distributed computing use cases.
- Aligns with modern hardware capabilities in NICs and accelerators.
- Enhances system-level observability and coordinated operations.
- Provides competitive differentiation for platforms requiring deterministic
timing.
References:
PCI-SIG PCIe Base Specification (PTM Capability)
Linux Kernel PCI Subsystem Documentation
IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP)
PCIe PTM Architecture and Implementation Guides
** Affects: linux (Ubuntu)
Importance: Undecided
Status: New
** Information type changed from Public to Private
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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2146638
Title:
Request for PCIe Precision Time Measurement (PTM) Support
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