Synchronization in telecommunications

Many services running on modern digital telecommunications networks require accurate synchronization for correct operation. For example, if switches do not operate with the same clock rates, then slips will occur and degrade performance. Telecommunication networks rely on the use of highly accurate primary reference clocks which are distributed network wide using synchronization links and synchronization supply units.

Components of a telecommunications synchronization network

Primary Reference Clock (PRC)

Modern telecommunications networks use highly accurate primary master clocks that must meet the international standards requirement for long term frequency accuracy better than 1 part in 1011. To get this performance, atomic clocks or GPS disciplined oscillators are normally used.

Sync status messages

DS1 ESF S1 byte ANSI/SONET Abbreviation ANSI/SONET Comments SDH Abbreviation SDH Comments
00000100 11111111 0001 ST1 / PRS Stratum 1 / Primary Ref Source
00000010 11111111 0010 PRC / G.811 Primary Reference Clock
00001000 11111111 0000 STU Synchronization Traceability Unknown QU / UNK Quality Unknown
00001100 11111111 0111 ST2 Stratum 2 G.812 Type II
01111000 11111111 0100 TNC Transit Node Clock SSU-A / G.812 Type V also referred to as any of the following: G.812T / SSU-T / transit
01111100 11111111 1101 ST3E Stratum 3E G.812 Type III
unknown 1000 SSU-B / G.812 type VI also referred to as any of the following: G.812L / SSU-L / local
00010000 11111111 1010 ST3 Stratum 3 G.812 Type IV
00100010 11111111 1011 SEC / G.813 option 1 Synchronization Equipment Timing Source(SETS)
00100010 11111111 1100 SMC SONET Minimum Clock G.813 option 2
00101000 11111111 not used ST4E Stratum 4E
00101000 11111111 not used ST4 Stratum 4
00110000 11111111 1111 DUS Don't Use for Sync DUS Don't Use for Sync

Synchronization Supply Unit

Synchronization supply units (SSU) are used to ensure reliable synchronisation distribution. They have a number of key functions:

  1. They filter the synchronisation signal they receive to remove the higher frequency phase noise,
  2. They provide distribution by providing a scalable number of outputs to synchronise other local equipment,
  3. They provide a capability to carry on producing a high quality output even when their input reference is lost, this is referred to as Holdover Mode.

Quality metrics

In telecoms networks two key parameters are used for measurement of synchronisation performance. These parameters are defined by the International Telecommunication Union in its recommendation G.811, by European Telecommunications Standards Institute in its standard EN 300 462-1-1, by the ANSI Synchronization Interface Standard T1.101 defines profiles for clock accuracy at each stratum level, and by Telecordia/Bellcore standards GR-253[1] and GR-1244.[2]

Examples of a system which measures these values is the Sync Test Set and Syncwatch.

See also

References

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