10 Synchronization

10.1
© Alcatel University - 3FL 40034 AGAA WBZZA Ed.01

© Alcatel University – 3FL 40034 AGAA WB ZZA Ed.01 Page 10.1

 10 Synchronization
Session presentation
 Objective: to be able to configure synchronization parameters
 Program:
z 10.1 Introduction
z 10.2 Operation

10.2

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 10 Synchronization

10.1 Introduction

10.3
© Alcatel University - 3FL 40034 AGAA WBZZA Ed.01

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 10.1 Introduction
Synchronization hierarchical structure
The clock signal is distributed throughout the entire network.
PRC Level A hierarchical structure is used for this.The signal is passed
PRC on by the subordinate Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU) and
Synchronous Equipment Clock(SECs)

SSU
SSU

SSU Level
SSU SSU

SEC SEC
SEC

SEC Level SEC SEC

SEC
SEC SEC

10.4

 To prevent Transmission errors in SDH network the internal clock of the network element must be synchronized to a
central clock, which is generated by an high-precision Primary Reference Clock (PRC) unit conforming to the ITU-T
Recommendation G.811.This is the highest level of synchronization in a network.Normally there are two different
PRC in a network, one the main and one the spare.The PRC specify an accuracy of:
z 10E-13 if it utilizes Cesium radioactive sample
z 10E-11 if it utilizes Rubidium radioactive sample
 The second level of the hierarchical structure is represented by the SSU(Synchronization Supply Unit), which is
normally a stand-alone piece of equipment in the network. In case of loss of the PRC reference, the SSU provides
the network with a high quality synchronization signal. The SSU filters the jitter out of the incoming reference, which
results from phase noise on the synchronization links between the PRC and the SSU.
z SSUs with a Transit Node quality have a sufficient quality to be placed at each point of the
synchronization chain; thus each can be used as a reference for further SSUs.
z Local Node clocks, in contrast to Transit Node clocks, can only be placed as the last SSU in the
synchronization chain.
 The third and last level of synchronization is represented by the SEC (SDH Equipment Clock) which is normally built
into the SDH network elements. The SEC filters out jitter from the selected incoming timing reference and provides
the SDH network element with a holdover capability for at least 24 hours. The normal operating mode of the SEC is
to be slaved to an SSU.

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 10.1 Introduction
Synchronization diagram

PRC

K = max 10 SSU
SEC SEC
N = max 20

SEC SEC
Synchronization link
SSU SSU

SSU SSU

SEC SEC

Synchronization network reference chain

SEC SEC
10.5

 The quality of timing will deteriorate as the number of synchronization links increases.
 Therefore, the number of network elements in tandem should be minimized for reliability reasons.
 The values for the worst case synchronization reference chain* (ITU recommendation G.803) are:
z K (maximum number of SSUs in a chain) = 10
z N (maximum number of SECs between 2 SSUs) = 20, with the total number of SDH network element clocks
limited to 60

* Synchronization chain = an interconnection of synchronization nodes and links

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 10.1 Introduction
Quality’s Levels

G.811 10E-11
Primary
PRC LEVEL PRC Reference Clock
Long Term
Frequency departure

5*10E-9 Accuracy
Synchronization Supply
SSUT G.812T 5* 10E-10 Offset
Unit Transit Node
10E-9/Day Drift
SSU LEVEL
5*10E-7 Accuracy
Synchronization Supply
SSUL G.812L 10E-8 Offset
Unit Local Node
2*10E-8/Day Drift

4.6*10E-6 Accuracy
Synchronous
SEC LEVEL SEC G.813 5*10E-8 Offset
Equipment clock
5*10E-7/Day Drift

10.6

 G.811 (ITU-T Recommendation) : “Timing requirements at the outputs of primary reference clocks suitable for
plesiochronous operation of international digital links”.
 G.812 (ITU-T Recommendation) :“Timing requirements at the outputs of slave clocks suitable for plesiochronous
operation of international digital links”.
 G.813 (ITU-T Recommendation) :“Timing characteristics of SDH equipment slave clocks (SEC)”.
 DNU: Do Not Use. This signal should not be used for synchronization.
 The Unknown quality level was defined to characterize the quality of existing SDH networks. This quality level is no
longer supported by the hardware. Today, in SDH it indicates an invalid timing quality. The quality ‘unknown’ is a
commonly used quality in SONET networks. It is the highest quality in those networks except for PRC quality which is
higher. SDH networks should never(!) use quality unknown.

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 10.1 Introduction
S1 byte

(Bit5…..Bit8): Synchronisation
status of synch. Path
9 bytes
(Bit1….. Bit4): spare
* * * * * * * * *
A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 J0

B1 Δ Δ E1 Δ F1 RSOH

D1 Δ Δ D2 Δ D3
0 7
AU-n unit pointers

B2 B2 B2 K1 K2
9 rows

D4 D5 D6

D7 D8 D9 MSOH

D10 D11 D12

S1 M1 E2

10.7

 In the MSOH of the STM-N frame,there is a byte called S1 in which, in the last four bits, we can insert the quality of
a signal.This quality can be of different type and for every type there is a different codification .

QUALITY LEVEL CODE ORDER

QL-PRC 0010 HIGHEST

QL-SSU TRANSIT 0100 ...

QL-SSU LO CAL 1000
...
QL-SEC 1011
...
QL-DNU ( DON’T USE ) 1111 LOWEST

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 10.1 Introduction
SSM algorithm

YES Is the SSM NO

managed ?

Does only
one source
NO
have the
highest quality
criterion? Selection of the clocks
Analysis of the
with the highest
priorities table
quality criterion
YES
Selection of the source
with the best criterion Selection of the clock
with the highest priority

Locking of the
sync board
10.8

 The SSM is an algorithm that allows the NE to choose the best possibility for the synchronisation of a NE.
In particular :
z If in a NE there are two different ports with two different signals the system choose the port with the best
quality of signal.
z If in a NE there are two different ports with the same quality of signal the system choose the port that has
the highest priority.

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 10.1 Introduction
SETS Functions

Selector Squelch Selector T4/T5

A A SETG
C (External Clk)
To SERVICE
/SERGI

Squelch
6 B
T1/T2
Selector T0
SETG
1/2 B (Internal Clk)
T3/T6
From
SERVICE/SERGI

osc
SETS

10.9

 The SETS function (Synchronous equipment timing source) is a subsystem of an SDH Network Element and it’s
implemented within the MATRIX unit in the 1660SM and the SYNTH in the 1650SM-C
 The SDH Equipment accepts up to 6 synchronization inputs from the following types of sources:
z T1 is the clock derived from STM-N line signal
z T2 is a clock derived from the 2Mbit/s signal
z T3 is a 2MHz signal
z T6 is a 2Mbit/s signal without data information but with SSM information (not available on 1640FOX)
z internal oscillator (VCO Voltage Controlled Oscillator)

z T3 and T6 share the same connector on the front panel of SERVICE(for 1660SM and /SERG I(for
1650SM-C) card; the selection between the two signals is made via software.

z Automatic selection of one of these input sources is achieved by a selector using quality criteria(SSM
algorithm) or priority criteria.
z Also manual selection is possible.

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 10.1 Introduction
SETG Functions
 The SETG (Synchronous equipment timing generation) generates the following synchronization
signals
z for internal use:
Î a system clock T0(at 622.08MHz)locked to the selected reference(T1,T2,T3 or
T6)and distributed to the equipment;
Î CK38MHz: it is derived from the system clock(T0)and is distributed to all the ports.
Its frequency is 38.88MHz.
Î MFSY: it is the multiframe synchronism at 500Hz, obtained from the ck38MHz. It is
distributed to all the ports.
Î SY1S: it is a one second synchronism used on the MATRIX for the 1660SM and on
the SYNTH for the 1650SM-C for performance monitoring calculation

z for external use:

Î T4 is a 2MHz signal
Î T5 is a 2Mbit/s signal
Î T4 and T5 share the same connector on the front panel of SERVICE card for the
1660SM, of SERGI card for the 1650SM-C; the selection between the two signals is
made via software.

10.10

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 10.1 Introduction
Synchronization function block diagram

MATRIX a HCMATRIX a MATRIX b HCMATRIX b

COMPACT ADM main COMPACT ADM spare

From SERVICE/SERGI

Notes:The 1640FOX has only the SYNTH main and there aren’t the T3/T6 signals.

10.11

 The working modes:

z locked
z holdover
z free running
are compliant to the ITU-T G.810, G.812 and G.813 Recommendations.

 The holdover mode requires at least 30 minutes of locked condition before loosing the reference.

 There is a PLL that maintains locked the System clock to the one selected as input in case the equipment works in
"locked" mode.

 As the MATRIX /HCMATRIX and SYNTH are redundant, the synchronization function is redundant as well.

 The synchronization sub-system guarantees the Hitless switch because the two MATRIX/HCMATRIX and SYNTH
boards work in a Master-Slave mode. In order to maintain locked and in phase conditions the two GAs some signals
are exchanged on the SYNC BUS.This function isn’t implemented in the 1640FOX because it hasn’t the Master-Slave
mode.

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 10.1 Introduction
Timing Loop
 A reuse of signal for synchronization purpose must be deeply investigated since timing loops
might be generated through a lot of PDH and SDH pieces of equipment. Next figure gives an
example of timing loop.

Risk of timing loop No risk of timing loop

SSU SSU SSU

DNU SSU
B B
squelched
SEC SEC SEC SEC SEC

direction of timing
This port must
not be a sync port

10.12

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 10.1 Introduction
Test
9 1. What is the PRC? And what does the acronym PRC mean?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____

9 2. Which is the byte in the STM-N frame in which the quality of a

signal is inserted?
M1 S1 D12

9 3. Flag the signals that can be used as synchronisation source.

2Mbit/s 140Mbit/s STM-N 2MHz 34Mbit/s

9 4. How many external sources could a NE have at maximum?

3 2 6

Time allowed : 9 5. When does a NE go in holdover state?

_____________________________________________________
15 minutes _____________________________________________________
____

10.13

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 10.14

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 10 Synchronization

10.2 Operation

10.15
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 10.2 Operation
Configuration start up

The selector for T4 output is displayed

only if Service (in the 1660SM and
1670SM) or Sergi (in the 1650SM-
C)card is configured! Not available This option is shown only when
in the 1640FOX. there is inserted and selected a
2 MHz source
10.16

 To start the synchronization management

z Select views in the bar menu of EML main window.
z Select synchronization option in the views pull down menu, opened by clicking on views.
z The synchronization view window opens and synchronization menu will appear in the bar-menu

 Synchronization view window shows the functional scheme of SETS (Synchronous equipment Timing Source)
according to ITU-T Rec. G.783.
 The input clock can be selected from 6 different inputs, separately for T0 (internal reference ) and for T4 (external
output).

 The free running indication is changed into holdover, when the NE looses the external clock reference (it is necessary
to maintain the reference for at least 30 minutes, to get holdover when removing the reference)

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 10.2 Operation
Timing Source Configuration

2nd- Select Synchronization in the bar

menu
1st - Click on an input block

3rd - Select the Timing Source

Configuration option in the
barmenu

4th - The Timing Source

Configuration window will open

5th - Click on Choose

to open TP
Search window

10.17

 To configure the timing inputs:

Î Select Synchronization menu in the barmenu
Î Select Timing Source Configuration option in the pulldown menu

 Timing Source Configuration window opens, with the following parameters to be configured:
Î Input Source: must be a physical port (select Choose to open TP Search)
Î Input quality Configuration: possible values are displayed i the pulldown menu open by the arrow ( )
on the right of the entry box. G.811, G812/T, G.812/L, G813, Don’t use, Extracted
Î Priority: from 1 to 6.
z Criteria for automatic selection is, in the order:
Î Signal present
Î Quality (determined by SSM, if enabled)
Î Priority (determined by the Operator)
ª N.B. Quality is not taken into account if SSM is disabled.

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 10.2 Operation
Timing Source Configuration
1- This window is opened by Choose button in
Timing Source Configuration window
4- Select the
termination ( in this
case only one) and
click on OK or double
click on it.
2- Click in sequence on
to retrieve the
equipment details and
select an SDH or PDH
port.

3- Select the Class

OpS (for optical SDH
port), EIS (for electrical
SDH port), PPI (for the 5- Insert Quality and
2Mbit/s port) and Ignore Priority and click on OK
(for the 2MHz signals) in order to activate the
and click on Search. clock source.
10.18

 Within TP Search window the operator has to select the port which is considered as clock input.
 Warning! The selected TP must be a physical port, e.g.:
z a physical port at 2Mbit/s (not available in the 1670SM);
z a physical port at STM-N in an SDH module
z one of the two external synchronization sources, T3#A,T3#B, T6#A orT6#B physically available on connectors
on Service card of the 1660SM and 1670SM or Sergi of the 1650SM-C. Not available on the 1640FOX.
 Input Quality Configuration box is used to assign a quality level to the reference source: choose “Extracted” if the
signal carries quality information (SSM), otherwise select a specific value according to the synchronization network
organization

 Constraints for 1670SM: if an interface managed by P16OS1 or P16S1N must be set as synchronization source, the
interface must belong to Group 1 and must be configured as A, B or C.
A4S1
A4S1
A4S1
A4S1

Group 1 Group 1
REMEP16
A12OS1

A16ES1

A
Group 2
Group 2
B
C
D Group 2
P16OS1

P16S1N

P16S1N

Group 1 Group 2
Group 1
E
F

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 10.2 Operation
Result of Timing Source Configuration

Result of Source configuration The SETS is working in locked

mode that means that the NE has
an external source.
STM-N port configured
as clock source and
selected as
reference clock The sources of T4 are
showed only if there is
configured the Service
card in the 1660SM
and the Sergi card in
the 1650SM-C
DRIFT alarm

LOS at 2Mbit/s external clock

10.19

 In this example:

z Synchronization view window was modified, by clicking on OK within Timing Source Configuration window,
after selecting a 2Mbit/s port :

Î The selected port is automatically inserted into the input block.

Î The 2Mbit/s port is not selected due to LOS.

Î The selected reference is the STM-N port.

 DRIFT : is an alarm appearing when the Clock frequency offset is larger then 15 ppm; it is cleared when the offset is
less than 7 ppm (roughly).

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 10.2 Operation
Change 2MHz/2Mbit

The first feature allows to change

T4(2MHz)in T5(2Mbit/s).
The second feature allows to
change
the T3 (2MHz source) in T6 (2Mbit/s
source.) This option is displayed
only if there is a 2MHz source.

10.20

 This menu is enabled only if the operator selects a protection unit which has as source a 2 MHz

 When you change the source the TP changes from

z 2MhT3#A to 2MbpsT6#A
z 2MhT3#B to 2MbpsT6#B

 In case of T6 setting (2Mbps), the SSM algorithm is supported:

z choose “Extracted” in Input Quality Configuration
z choose a specific “SaBit”, which will be used to transport the SSM information
 In case of T5 setting, the SSM information is transmitted and one
bit in the “SaSSMBit” field has to be used to transport the
SSM information.It is possible to set this field going into the
T4 configuration.

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 10.2 Operation
T0 Configuration

10.21

 The SSM algorithm implements the choice among the sources of synchronization, according to the best quality
indicated in SSM byte. The use of SSM algorithm allows also the automatic restoration of the synchronization in a
network in case of failure.
 When SSM algorithm is enabled:

z SSM is extracted by the incoming signal and used as criteria to select the clock reference

z NE inserts SSM=Don’t use in the opposite direction from where the clock is received (in case of SDH
reference clock)

z Internal clock is assumed SSM=G.813; you have the same quality in the Holdover condition

z If “Inserted” is selected in “Transmitted SSM Quality Configuration” window, the system internal T0 clock
quality is transmitted towards the external interface

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 10.2 Operation
T4 Configuration

It is used to enable the SSM algorithm in the T4

output clock.

When T0 is selected to generate T4

When an input reference is selected

to generate T4

10.22

 Different squelch criteria may be applied:

z when T0 is selected to generate T4:
Î T0 may be squelched if all the allowable timing references of Selector B have Quality Level lower than
the programmable threshold.
z When an input reference is selected to generate T4:
Î the output of selector A may be squelched if the Quality Level of selected source is lower than the
programmable threshold or if it becomes unavailable.

 You can use the Squelching Criteria to define the lowest quality in the T4/T5 output clock
 Force Squelch enables both the squelches for T4

 The SSM algorithm implements the choice among the synchronization’s sources, according to the best quality
indicated in SSM byte. The use of SSM algorithm allows also the automatic restoration of the synchronization in a
network in case of failure

© Alcatel University – 3FL 40034 AGAA WB ZZA Ed.01 Page 10.22

 10.2 Operation
Transmitted SSM Quality Configuration

10.23

 The “Transmitted SSM Quality Configuration” window permits to define the value of SSM byte in the signal outgoing
from the selected port.
z open the window by selecting Synchronization → Transmission SSM Quality
z choose the quality level selecting among the different values: “Inserted” allows to transmit the system internal
T0 clock quality towards the external interface
Î N.B. to use the “Inserted” option, the SSU algorithm must be enabled
 It is possible to configure the Transmitted SSM quality also from the Port View as in the picture below.

2- Select Port / Physical Media /Tx

Quality Conf.

1- Select MST in the Port View of the STM-N Port

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 10.2 Operation
Clock Protection Command

This indication describes the

current synchronization status.
It can be:
• lockout
• manual switch
• force switch
• automatic switch
• no request
• fail.
10.24

 The automatic selection algorithm overrules the manual selection

 To perform or release a T0 or T4/T5 lockout or a force or manual selection:

z Select the T0 or T4/T5 source

z Select Synchronization/ Protection Commands

z Select Invoke/release within Lockout or Force or Manual

Î Click on Apply to confirm the command

Î Remember:

ª Force has the priority on alarms

ª Manual has not the priority on alarms, and not priority on automatic SSM algorithm

ª Lockout means to exclude the object.

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 10.2 Operation
SSU Configuration

 Selecting the SSU box, the SSU Configuration option, from

Synchronization pull down menu, is available:
z Single NE: means that the NE receives the clock from ports
or from external 2 MHz.
z NE with SSU: means that the ADM is connected to an
external SSU and uses the 2MHz coming from the SSU, for
internal synchronization (T0): in this case T4 is ≠ T0.

SSU
T4
T3 2 MHz from NE
2 MHz
from SSU
NE
Clock from
STM-1,
traced from
PRC

10.25

 In case of NE with SSU, the SSU quality is the

value transmitted on all the interfaces when T3
clock reference source is selected
 The SSU is used to filter the phase noise of the
received clock.

1 2 3

PRC SSU SSU SSU

N SEC

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 10.2 Operation
Set/Remove T0 Equal T4

10.26

 The connection between T0 and T4 will pass from a shaped to a continue line as in the picture.

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 10.2 Operation
Remove Timing Reference

10.27

 This command is used in order to remove one source.

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 10.2 Operation
Show Timing Source

10.28

 Select any reference source in the synchronization view hence Show Timing Source.
 This selection opens the Port View of the selected reference source allowing to analyse the input source considering its
payload structure and the related alarms.

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 10.2 Operation
Frame Mode Configuration
 See session 7 “Configuration”

10.29

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 10.2 Operation
Test
Using as support the attached Synchronisation view window,
answer the following questions :

9 1. How many reference sources have been configured in

the equipment?
2 3 4

9 2. Which priority has the selected timing reference?

Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3

9 3. Is the SSM algorithm enabled or not?

Yes No

9 4. Describe the criteria for that reference has been

automatically selected by the equipment:
Time allowed : __________________________________________
See next page
9 5. Which signal is provided as Timing Output?
2Mbit/s None 2MHz

10.30

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 10.2 Operation
Test

Time allowed :
15 minutes

10.31

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 10.2 Operation
Exercise

9 Objective of this exercise is to synchronize the following three network

elements ring avoiding the timing loop

INS EX

PORT

PORT
Eq 3
EX

EX INS

PORT PORT

MAIN Q=G811

PORT

PORT
Eq 2 Eq 1 2MHz

PORT PORT

EX
LEGENDA:
Eq=equipment
Time allowed :
INS=inserted
50 minutes EX=extracted
Q=quality

10.32

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 10 Synchronization
Evaluation

 Objective: to be able to configure

synchronization parameters

Thank you for answering

the self-assessment
of the objectives sheet

10.33

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