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Packet-Based Primary Reference Source for Synchronizing Next Generation Networks

Responding to consumer demand, service providers are expanding and upgrading their telecommunications networks to add more capacity and support next generation services. As these networks expand they also need to ensure the non-stop availability of their timing and frequency synchronization reference, commonly known as a Primary Reference Source (PRS) to maintain Quality of Service (QoS), avoid dropped calls, support video streaming services, and enable LBS applications such as 911 calls. There are several changes occurring in mobile networks. Firstly, as backhaul transitions to Ethernet, the physical layer synchronization chain is no longer available when access to the legacy TDM reference inputs are removed. Secondly, the network cellular architecture is changing with the shift towards small cells/femtocells making it economically prohibitive to deploy GPS receivers at every base station. Lastly, GPS does have known vulnerabilities to jamming and spoofing and requires a reliable back-up to ensure service delivery across the network. To future proof networks and ensure optimal reliability

throughout the network, there is a compelling need for a stable, cost-effective, and robust packet PRS that will provide synchronization for packet networks. Until recently, there have only been two types of primary reference sources from which to choose: Cesium, and GPS. Standalone Cesium atomic clocks are simple to install and robust because they do not receive timing based on an external signal but generate it internally. However, they are relatively expensive and in practice are restricted to core sites of the network. GPS-based PRS on the other hand may be lower cost initially, but can have high set up costs because deployment requires the installation of a GPS receiver, an antenna, and cables, and requires roof and cable run access. GPS systems are also limited to locations with line of sight visibility to the satellites from which they derive timing, and so cannot operate in urban canyons. Now, however, there is a new, robust, cost-effective PRS solution that does not use a GPS antenna: Packet PRS. Based on a Precision Timing Protocol (PTP) reference derived from a centralized IEEE

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Packet-Based Primary Reference Source for Synchronizing Next Generation Networks

1588 PTP Grandmaster Clock, Packet PRS provides Stratum 1 quality clock timing input over an Ethernet infrastructure to a Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU) and is ideal to use in core and colocation sites as standalone PRS or as a backup to GPS. As displayed in the Primary Reference Source Hierarchy shown in Figure 1. This white paper explains how Packet PRS works and how communications networks will benefit from its deployment.

Cesium
Standalone Atomic PRC Fully autonomous Core Sites Pinnacle of sync hierarchy Frequency Accuracy 1 x 10-12

Primary Reference Sources

Traditional Network Synchronization All nodes in a synchronized telecommunications network must be referenced, or traceable, to a PRS that offers Stratum 1 performance in accordance with recognized industry standard ITU-T G.811. In traditional Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) digital communications networks, sync was maintained by employing two types of synchronization element, Primary Reference Clocks (PRC) and distribution clocks, over a physical circuit. The PRC or PRS (using either Cesium or GPS) provides the reference frequency signal for the synchronization of other clocks within a network, or section of a network. Distribution clocks (called BITS, SSU or SASE depending on configuration, region deployed, and the specific standards body) select one of the external synchronization links coming into a station as the active synchronization reference. The synchronization from a PRS site to the SSU/BITS is carried over SONET/SDH networks using derived T1/E1 signals from the optical line rate. The high availability requirement of SDH-based networks mandates the use of multiple site PRS preferably located in different geographical regions. As displayed in the Current TDM Network in Figure 2.

GPS Packet-based
IEEE 1588 PTP based PRS Standalone PRC or backup to GPS No external GPS antenna Requires PTP Grandmaster Frequency Accuracy 1 x 10-12

GPS
Flatten sync hierarchy Distributed in core and edge Requires GPS antenna installation Frequency Accuracy 1 x 10-12

Figure 1: Primary Reference Source Hierarchy

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Master Site A
SSU/BITS at the Remote Site C uses Derived T1/E1 input references line timed from SONET/SDH rings. TDM

SSU/BITS DACS

OC-48

SONET

/SDH R

Line Ti

ING
med D S1

Remote Site C

OC-48
Delivered T1/E1

TDM

Master Site B
T/S R DH ING
OC-192

TDM SSU/BITS TDM

TDM

SO
OC-192

NE

SSU/BITS DACS

Figure 2: Current TDM Network

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Packet-Based Primary Reference Source for Synchronizing Next Generation Networks

The Synchronization of PacketBased Networks The migration of TDM networks to packetbased Carrier Ethernet or IP/MPLS networks will cause the Synchronization chain to break. The Ethernet network elements cannot deliver frequency synchronization when T1/E1 input references are removed. As displayed in New Ethernet Network in Figure 3 the SSU/BITS can be front-ended with an IEEE 1588 PTP slave clockthe Packet PRSwhich delivers PRS quality T1/E1 to the SSU clocks. The Packet PRS receives timing from one or more central IEEE 1588 Grandmaster Clocks that is co-located with a GPS or cesium PRS. When using such a Packet PRS the network should be setup to deploy IEEE 1588 GMC (or 1588 PTP Grandmaster Blades in the SSU/BITS) in geographically redundant Central Offices (CO) for diversity based risk mitigation. As displayed in PRS Distribution in Packet Networks in Figure 4. How Packet PRS Works Using a rubidium miniature atomic clock combined with a state of the art Soft Clock 2.0 algorithm, Packet PRS reconstructs a PRS Stratum 1 quality clock from the IEEE 1588 PTP packets coming from a GMC in a central site, thus maintaining the synchronization chain that is otherwise missing in the packet network. The 1588 packets are converted into T1/E1 signals that meet the G.811/ST1 PRS mask. As displayed in MTIE Plot Comparison and Network Requirements in Figure 5.
For it to function in this capacity, Packet PRS must comply with industry standards and follow the specifications for a stratum 1 clock as defined in ITU-G.811. Symmetricom test results show that even after losing PTP reference for up to 48 hours (bridging + holdover), the wander in output in the Packet PRS is still within the MTIE mask. Thus it meets and exceeds Telcordia GR 2830 requirement section 6.4.2: Upon losing reference, output shall maintain PRS performance for at least 6 hours and unacceptable region should not be entered for the first 48 hours after

Master Site A

TDM

X
SSU/BITS DACS MSPP

Metro

Ethern

Ethern

et
et

Remote Site C

MSPP

TDM

Master Site A
E t rne the rnet
Eth e

X
MSPP

TDM SSU/BITS TDM

TDM

X
SSU/BITS DACS MSPP

Me

tro

Problem Ethernet NE no longer requires Frequency Synchronization Loss of Derived T1/E1 Input reference to SSU/BITS at Remote Site C Building restricts antenna installation Cesium too expensive, single reference solution

Figure 3: New Ethernet Network

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Master Site A

TDM
IEEE 1588

Remote Site with Packet PRS (no GPS)

SSU/BITS
w/IEEE 1588-2008 PTP Grandmaster

DACS

Packet Network Master Site B

TDM

TDM SSU/BITS TDM

SSU/BITS
w/IEEE 1588-2008 PTP Grandmaster IEEE 1588 T1/E1

DACS

Solution 1588 PTP Grandmaster Blades in the SSU/BITS in both COs for diversity Deploy Packet PRS at the remote site where it converts 1588 packets into T1/E1 that meets the G.811/ST1 PRS mask Remote site SSU/BITS uses the T1/E1 from Packet PRS as Primary Reference Sources

Figure 4: PRS Distribution in Packet Networks

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Packet-Based Primary Reference Source for Synchronizing Next Generation Networks

the allowed impairment. As displayed in Rubidium Performance in Packet PRS in Figure 6. Symmetricom has developed the TimeProvider 1500 (TP1500) Packet PRS, the first non-GPS, non-Cesium PRS, combining the power of Rubidium holdover technology with advanced IEEE 15882008 soft clock algorithms to provide a Stratum-1 PRS in compliance with industry PRS standards. TimeProvider 1500 meets or exceeds the most stringent test criteria

required to claim Stratum-1 level PRS performance: it fully complies with the ITU-T G.811 Stratum 1 and GR 2830 PRS performance specifications and also meets the ITU-T G.8261 specification for providing precise timing over IP, packet-based networks.

Deployment Scenarios TimeProvider 1500 applications include but are not limited to: GPS difficult sites with no roof access; sites with an unreliable GPS signal as in urban canyons or tunnels;

sites vulnerable to GPS interference due to jamming and spoofing; and as a backup to GPS, supporting frequency and time services. The ability to synchronize to another non-colocated Grandmaster Clock over a packet-based network ensures 24/7/365 availability in the event of GPS service interruption. As displayed in the Hybrid Network with PTP Packet Sync shown in Figure 7, as Ethernet replaces TDM, creating a hybrid network, some SSU/BITS will lose their synchronization source. Front-ending these

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Bandwidth Capacity Minimum 1 GigE

Maximum Loading 80% Average

Intermittent Congestion 100% load for less than 100s

QoS Highest Priority

Recommended Hop Count Frequency (10 hops) Time (5 hops)

Packet PRS meets all requirements under full dynamic loading and impairments as specified in G.8261 Timing and Synchronization aspects in Packet Networks Appendix VI Test Cases 12 to 17

Figure 5: MTIE Plot Comparison and Network Requirements

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Improving Mobile Backhaul Network Reliability with Carrier-Class IEEE 1588-2008 (PTP)

downstream clocks with TimeProvider 1500 Packet PRS will enable them to continue supplying synchronization to both SDH/SONET and Synchronous Ethernet infrastructure environments in the hybrid network that will be the reality for most operators for a considerable time. Furthermore, TimeProvider 1500 can serve as a tool for carriers seeking to provide accurate one-way Service Level Agreement (SLA) measurements to their enterprise account customers. Because IEEE 1588 is a server/client time transfer protocol allowing client engines to be embedded in network endpoints for accurate time synchronization, it enables accurate oneway SLA measurements.
Figure 6: Rubidium Performance in Packet PRS

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Packet PRS enables frequency reference in Hybrid Packet/TDM network
TimeProvider 1500
PRS T1/E1 1588 PTP

TimeProvider 5000

IP over High Speed Aggregation

TimeProvider 1500
PRS T1/E1

MPLS/ Ethernet

PTP rapidly deployed

SSU 2000

SDH
SSU 2000

Time Cesium

SSU still needed to distribute Sync to SDH layer and Legacy E1

Figure 7: Hybrid Network with PTP Packet Sync

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Packet-Based Primary Reference Source for Synchronizing Next Generation Networks

Conclusion Carriers now have a new choice for deployment and diversity of primary reference sources in their networks. The TimeProvider 1500 provides a secure and cost effective solution to support rapid migration to Carrier Ethernet in the core, and is immune to potential GPS antenna vulnerabilities such as interference or jamming. Symmetricom has combined the innovative technologies of its Rubidium

oscillator and IEEE1588 PTP Soft Clock algorithm to deliver the stable robust timing required by todays evolving networks. Both innovative and unique, the TimeProvider 1500 delivers the precise and accurate synchronization that networks need as they migrate from TDM to next generation synchronous-aware packet-based technologies. As displayed in the PRS
Deployment Chart shown in Figure 8.

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Type of Primary Reference Source Antenna Type Telecom Outputs Equipment Costs Install Complexity Main Applications

Standalone Cesium Atomic Clock

None

T1 (DS1) /E1 10MHz/1PPS

High

Low

 Pinnacle of the sync hierarchy; used in core sites  Source of sync for SSU/BITS SONET/SDH Hubs and ADMS class 5/End office

GPS-Based Reference Clocks

Window Wall Rooftop

T1 (DS1) /E1 10MHz/1PPS TOD

Medium

High

Offices with line of sight visibility to satellite  Decentralized synchronization nodes in a distributed sync network SONET/SDH Hubs and ADMS Synchronous Ethernet  Used in core and colocation sites as standalone PRS or as a backup to GPS-based PRS  Provides sync input to an SSU/BITS based on an external PTP reference from a GMC in a master site GPS difficult sites SONET/SDH Hubs and ADMS Synchronous Ethernet

IEEE 1588 PTP PacketBased Clock

None

T1 (DS1) /E1 10MHz/1PPS TOD

Low

Medium

Figure 8: PRS Deployment Chart

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2011 Symmetricom. Symmetricom and the Symmetricom logo are registered trademarks of Symmetricom, Inc. All specifications subject to change without notice. WP/PacketBased_PRS/060311