PDH & SDH

PDH

 Plesiochronous digital hierarchy.

 A technology used in telecommunications network to transport
large quantity of data over digital transport equipment such as
fibre optic and microwave radio wave systems.
 The term “plesiochronous” is derived from greek plesio which
means near, and chronous, time.
 It means that PDH networks run in a state where different parts
of the network are almost, but not quite perfectly synchronised.
 PDH

 Sending a large quantity of data on fibre optic transmission

system.
 Transmission and reception are synchronized but timing is
not.
 The channel clocks are derived from different master clocks
whose range is specified to lie within certain limits.
 The multiplexed signal is called a “plesiochronous” signal.
 Pdh signals are neither synchronous nor asynchronous.
 PDH

 PDH Allows transmission of data streams that are

nominally running at the same rate, but allowing
some variation on the speed around a nominal rate.
 By analogy, any two watches are nominally running at
the same rate, clocking up 60 seconds every minute.
 However, there is no link between watches to
guarantee they run at exactly the same rate.
 It is highly likely that one is running slightly faster
than the other.
 VERSIONS OF PDH

 There are two versions of PDH namely

 the European and
 the American.

 They differ slightly in the detail of their working but the principles
are the same.

 European PCM = 30 channels

 North American PCM = 24 channels
 Japanese PCM = 24 channels

 In India we follow the European pcm of 30 channels system

working.
 EUROPEAN DIGITAL HIERARCHY

 30 CHANNEL PCM = 2 MBPS

 2 MBPS X 4 = 8 MBPS
 8 MBPS X 4 = 34 MBPS
 34 MBPS X 4 = 140 MBPS
 140 MBPS X 4 = 565 MBPS
 EUROPEAN PDH HIERARCHY WITH BIT
RATES
MUX BIT RATE CHANNELS

2 Mbps 2.048 Mbps 30

8 Mbps 8.448 Mbps 120

34 Mbps 34.368 Mbps 480

140 Mbps 139.264 Mbps 1920

 DESCRIPTION OF EUROPEAN E-CARRIER
SYSTEM

 The basic data transfer rate is a stream of 2048 kbps.

 For speech transmission, this is broken down into 30 x 64 kbit/s channels
plus 2 x 64 kbps channels used for signalling and synchronization.
 Alternatively, the whole 2 MB/s may be used for non speech purposes, for
example, data transmission.
 The exact data rate of the 2 MBPS data stream is controlled by a clock in the
equipment generating the data.
 The exact rate is allowed to vary some percentage (+/- 50 ppm) either side
of an exact 2.048 mbps.
 Diferent 2 MBPS data streams can be running at slightly diferent rates to
one another.
 MULTIPLEXING TECHNIQUE

 In order to move multiple 2 MBPS data streams from one place to

another, they are combined together or “multiplexed” in groups of
four.
 This is done by taking 1 bit from stream #1, followed by 1 bit from
stream #2, then #3, then #4.
 The transmitting muliplexer also adds additional bits in order to
allow the far end receiving multiplexer to decode which bits belong
to which 2 MBPS data stream, and so correctly reconstitute the
original data streams.
 These additional bits are called “justification” bits or “stuffing bits”
30 CHL DIGITAL HIERARCHY
INTERLEAVING
 DIGITAL MUX CONCEPTS
 Bit/byte interleaving:
 Alternately each channel code can be scanned
one digit at a time. The multiplexed signal is
called a “bit interleaved signal”.
 “Bit interleaving” is used in higher order
multiplexing.
 DIGITAL MUX CONCEPTS

 Byte interleaving
 Word / byte / block interleaving:
 If the channel time slot is long enough to
accommodate a group of bits then the
multiplexed signal is called a “ byte interleaved
or word interleaved signal”.
 SLIP AND JUSTIFICATION

 Slip – this occurs when the incoming bit rate does not
match with the divided mux/demux clock rate. Same bit
may be read twice or loss of bits will occur.
 Justification:- it is a process of adding additional bits to
solve the problem of slip.
 JUSTIFICATION

 If mux clock rate is higher than tributary rate, it is

known as positive justification. This is used upto 140
mbps systems.
 If mux clock rate is lower than tributary rate, it is
known as negative justification.
 If on an average, mux clock rate and tributary bit rate
are equal, it is called positive-negative justification.
 PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN HIGHER ORDER
MULTIPLEXING AND SOLUTIONS FOR THEM

 Mux clock speeds should be same at both the ends. – Solution :-

this problem is solved by using p l l circuit at terminal “b” to
recover the clock.
 Synchronization:- solution- this is solved by frame alignment
word (faw).
 Tributary bit rate and mux clock (divided) should be the same:-
solution - solved by pulse stuffing or bit stuffing or “
justification” process. Thismeans adding additional bits.
 DISADVANTAGES OF PDH SYSTEM

 PDH is not ideally suited to efficiently delivering and managing

high bandwidth connections.
 PDH is no longer efficient to meet the demands placed on it.
 To access the lower order tributary, the whole system should be
demultiplexed.
 Bandwidth limitations – max capacity is 566 Mbps only.
 No common standards among vendors.
 Tolerance is allowed in bit rates.
 Point-to-point configuration ( linear working ) only is possible.
 EVOLUTION OF SDH

Totally synchronous system.

International standard/system – multiplexing standard.
In 1988, (ITU-T) 18th study group formulated certain standards
for multiplexing.
The main aim is to accommodate the existing pdh signals also.
Adopting the different vendors equipment.
Disadvantages of PDH led to the invention of SDH.
 WHAT IS SDH ?
 Synchronous :
One master clock & all elements synchronize with it.

 Digital:
Information in binary.

 Hierarchy:
Set of bit rates in a hierarchical order.
 WHAT IS SDH?

 SDH is a hierarchical set of information structures (digital

transport structures) to carry payload.
 SDH multiplexing:- a procedure by which multiple lower order
path layer signals are adapted into higher order path or multiple
higher path layer signals are adapted into mux section layer.
 Pointer defines the frame offset value of a virtual container.
 SDH mapping:- the procedure by which the tributary are adapted
into virtual containers at the boundary of the SDH network.
 ADVANTAGES OF SDH

1. Simplified multiplexing/demultiplexing techniques.

2. Direct access to lower-order tributaries.
3. Accommodates existing PDH signals.
4. Capable of transporting broadband signals.
5. Multi-vendor, multi-operator environment.
6. Protection switching to traffic is offered by rings.
7. Enhanced bandwidth.
8. NMS (Network Management system) facility.
9. Unlimited bandwidth
10. Growth of the existing to the higher order system is simple.