Sync MasterClass

Syllabus - Day 1

Detailed Sync MasterClass Syllabus

Pre-Course Question Session

The day kicks of with a quiz covering basic telecommunications terminology and synchronisation.  It is marked before the start of day 2 and feedback given to the delegates.  The quiz is used to measure the improvement in delegates’ knowledge over the course as the test is repeated on Day 2.

• Written test to assess level of knowledge
• Over 40 questions and acronym definitions

Introduction to Synchronisation

As an introduction this session looks at how telecom networks have evolved and how the increase in the number of network operators and the migration to fully digital networks has increased the need for Synchronisation.  Problems that result when Synchronisation Networks fail to deliver adequate Synchronisation quality are introduced.  Real World issues with Synchronisation networks are introduced.

• History of telecoms synchronisation
• Emerging new technologies, convergence of voice/data/interent services
• Basic misconceptions about sync
• Typical sync routes through a network
• Impact of poor sync on carriers’ services
• Impact of poor Sync on Mobile Networks

Fundamental Concepts: Frequency, Phase, Time, Oscillators & Phase Locked Loops

This section covers the fundamental principles of Network Synchronisation starting with the classical architecture of Synchronisation Networks.  Primary Reference Clocks (PRC) and Slave Clocks are explained and the concept of an ideal clock and a noisy clock are introduced.  Slips and Pointer Movements, the symptoms of poor synchronisation in synchronous switched networks and SDH, are discussed.  How synchronisation can be transported across networks is explained and issues that can arise with mixed transmission technologies are raised.

• Acronyms and Definitions
• Classical Network Synchronisation Architecture
• Clock Noise and noise characterisation
• Jitter and Wander
• Slips and Pointer Adjustments
• Introduction to mixed technology problems

Synchronisation Elements: clock sources, network clocks and distribution techniques

This section starts with a look at the history of Timekeeping from Early Sundials right through to Atomic Clocks.  It looks at the types of oscillator used in Telecommunications Networks today for Primary Reference Clock, Synchronisation Supply Units and SDH Equipment Clocks.  Examples of PRC and SSU products produced by the major Synchronisation equipment manufacturers Microsemi and Oscilloquartz are shown.

• Types of oscillator
• Atomic clock fundamentals
• Introduction to GPS
• Other PRS Clocks
• PRTC - Time Masters
• Slave clocks—SSU and SEC
• Comparison of regional standards
• VCO and PLL Principles
• Examples of SSU and PRC products
• Other off-air references – GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, eLORAN
• GPS based PRCs & PRTCs – including practical considerations

Standards: relevant standards from the ITU, ETSI, IETF and IEEE

The relationship between the key standards organisations is shown and a list of the key standards for Synchronisation Networks is given.  A comparison the performance requirements of ETSI and ITU SSU clocks are given.

• Evolution to NGN timing protocols – IEEE & IETF standards
• Clock standards
• Electrical interface standards
• Jitter and Wander standards
• Comparison of Regional standards

Quality Metrics and Testing

We have looked at how good synchronisation can be generated and distributed; now we look at ways to measure equipment and networks and confirm they are performing to specification.  The definitions for Time Interval Error and how this is used to derive the two key telecommunications quality metrics MTIE and TDEV is presented.  An example of the use of MTIE and TDEV to evaluate the performance of GPS receivers to see if they meet the ITU requirements for a Primary reference clock is discussed.  This section will include exercises to aid with the understanding of MTIE and TDEV. Also discussed are the types of test equipment that can be used to test synchronisation quality.  If lab available overnight Sync Test to be run for group analysis at start of Day 2.  Synchronisation analysis tools will be demonstrated.

• Definitions
• Derivation of TIE and sample data
• Derivation of MTIE and sample data
• Derivation of TDEV and sample data
• Real application examples
• Sync test equipment & solutions
• Evolving metrics for PSNs - minTDEV, MAFE and MATIE
• Metrics and measurements for 1PPS signals

Networks: Time & Phase Synchronisation

Telecom networks need good frequency synchronisation to function correctly.  With the rise of networked computing there is additionally an increasing need for common Time of Day clocks between elements in computer and telecommunications Networks.  This section explains Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) and how it is disseminated; concentrating primarily on Network Timing Protocol as the main way of distributing timing to computers using over IP networks.  Other techniques are mentioned and Precision Timing Protocol- IEEE1588-2008 (PTPv2) is introduced.  PTPv2 is being used in Telecom networks because of its increased accuracy.  References will be provided for further in-depth study.

• History of Computer Time
• Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)
• NTP Applications
• Overview of Design & Operation
• SNTP
• “Carrier-Class" and hardware assisted NTP
• Introduction to IEEE1588-2008 - PTPv2
• Time & Phase distribution & measurement scenarios

Syllabus - Day 2

Core Networks: SyncE, SDH, DWDM

• Review of SDH technology
• Network Elements
• Pointers
• Sync Status Messages
• Sample SDH network MTIE “signatures”
• Use of retimers
• Sync of WDM
• High level review of  sync in Optical Transport Networks (OTN)
• Optical network signal structure
• OTN sync transport mechanisms
• Examination of the transport of SDH clients over the OTN
• SyncE theory
• Frequency transport mechanism
• ESMC
• Standards limits MTIE/TDEV

Core Networks: Packed based Synchronisation NTP, PTPv2 and others

As traditional TDM and Data/Packet networks converge, methods for distributing time and timing when the traditional sync distribution medium is broken are assessed. After a brief overview of some of the first techniques to achieve this from ATM, the key ways of getting synchronisation of services carried over packet networks are analysed: Network Synchronous, Adaptive Clock Recovery and Differential. Effects of packet delay variation are discussed along with mechanisms of regenerating good synchronisation at the edge of the packet network, including NTP, PTP (IEEE1588) and Carrier Class NTP. Emerging standards and technology are compared, including G.8260/70 series, Synchronous Ethernet and G.UTI (DTI/TTI).

• Review of packet network technology
• Network elements
• Transport mechanism
• Network Synchronous, Adaptive Clock Recovery and SRTS (Differential) Methods
• Sample ATM, and ACR network element MTIE "signatures”
• Sync over Packet Networks – PTPv2, NTP and “Carrier Class” NTP
• The evolution to Next Generation Network standards including the G.8260 and G.8270 series
• Synchronous Ethernet introduction
• Emerging technologies - UTI

Leased Lines & Access Networks

Sync delivery over leased lines is fundamental to many mobile network operators' network designs. This section looks at the delivery mechanisms used by mobile operators and their performance.  PDH is still a key transport mechanism these networks; mostly now it is relegated to the access network where it still finds widespread application for example in the transport of n x 2Mbit/s services down to mobile base stations.  DSL is becoming increasingly important to enable higher bandwidth access and can provide cost effective leased line service delivery.  The different DSL technologies are reviewed and their ability to transport good Synchronisation discussed.  Measurement results for SDH, PDH and DSL networks are presented and recommendations on performance testing made.

• PDH issues
• SDH issues
• ATM issues
• Packet access
• HDSL and SHDSL issues
• Measured results
• Conclusions

Mobile Networks including 5G

Mobile networks are key customers for many bandwidth suppliers and it is a key service with stringent synchronisation requirements.  The sync requirements of mobile networks are discussed, along with the drivers for LTE-A small cell requirements for phase & time sync at the edge of the network.  This section will include an overview of the synchronisation implications of implementing location based services.

• Mobile Network Requirements
• 5G, GSM, 3G and 4G
• Small cell requirements
• Network and Base Station Sync
• Mobile Network Architecture and Connectivity
• Sync. for location based services
• WiMAX sync requirements

Architecture & Planning

A good synchronisation network needs a good architecture and good planning.  This section looks at sync network architecture options: Master Slave, Hybrid and Flat.  It then looks at the issues of planning at the PRC, SSU and SEC levels.

• Inter network architecture
• Intra network architecture
• Master slave PRC
• Flat PRC
• Hybrid PRC
• Intra-Node architecture
• Sync element interworking
• Planning Rules
• PRC level
• SSU level
• PRC autonomy period
• SEC level
• Interworking of SDH/DWDM/SyncE/PTP
• Network examples

Post Course Questions

During the breaks in the second day a paper based quiz is completed, this is marked interactively at the close of the course.

• Repeat of questions from day 1
• Comparison of marks and review of answers

Details

The Course Cost includes:

Refreshments and lunch on days one and two
Dinner day one (The Chase Hotel, Ross-on-Wye)
Folder with course notes

Accommodation

Delegates generally stay at The Chase Hotel, Ross-on-Wye. Accommodation is not included in the cost of the course, however, Chronos corporate rate applies.

Alternative Accomodation

For UK based courses, there are a number of alternative hotels in the Ross-on-Wye area. Click on this link to view them.

Datasheets

Datasheets

Sync MasterClass Datasheet»