How to use PTP sync with an external clock master (Camera Sync Unit)

The Camera Sync Unit (CSU) can be used with any Qualisys camera system and configured to synchronize with an external clock master using the standard PTP protocol. Follow the steps outlined below to set up the camera system.

  1. Start the correct version of the Qualisys Firmware Installer (QFI.exe), see How to use Qualisys Firmware Installer (QFI) for more information.
  2. After locating the system, click on the Advanced button.

  3. Under Select PTP mode, select Use standard PTP. The Firmware upgrade option can be deselected to speed up the process.

  4. Click OK and continue installing the firmware.
  5. Reboot the cameras manually to finish the change to standard PTP mode.

Connecting to an external clock master

The external clock master should be connected to the same Local Area Network as the cameras. The following requirements apply to the external clock master:

  • Standard: IEEE 1588:2008 (PTPv2)
  • ipv4/udp
  • Delay mechanism: End-to-End (E2E)
  • Two-step clock
  • Sync message interval: 1s

For adding the timestamp to the motion capture frames, activate the timestamp option on the Synchronization page under Project Options and set the type to Camera time, see chapter Timestamp.

Oqus systems can use PTP sync without a Camera Sync unit, but it requires extra configuration, see chapter How to use PTP sync with an external clock master (Oqus).