This document summarizes the results of research into using real-time Ethernet networks and precision time protocol for process automation applications. Key findings include:
1) The quality of the grandmaster clock and slave clocks directly affects synchronization performance. Transparent clocks are required in switches to mitigate precision time protocol latency.
2) Outbound GOOSE messages and inbound sampled value traffic do not significantly interact or interfere with each other.
3) Most latency is introduced at the first Ethernet switch rather than along the rest of the network path.
4) Protection systems using sampled values can respond nearly as fast as conventional current transformer-based systems, while GOOSE-based protection is about 3 milliseconds faster than relay contact