Synchronization for 5G: the requirements

and the solutions

Gil Biran, SVP and GM, Oscilloquartz

SCWS 2019
Synchronization requirements in mobile networks
Increased
spectral efficiency
and data throughput

Fronthaul eCPRI: <100ns time sync

5G – positioning: <100ns time sync (cluster)
5G – CA, IoT: several 100ns time sync (cluster)
LTE Advanced CoMP, TDD: 1.5µs time synchronization
LTE – multicast: several µs time synchronization
3G TDD: 5µs time synchronization (large cells)
2G/3G – frequency synchronization
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5G synchronization requirements

Standard 5G TDD networks require ±1.5μs end-to-end (same as 3G and 4G)

Cooperative radio techniques (e.g., inter-site CA, CoMP, MIMO) require much tighter
synchronization when deployed
• Consensus seems to be around ±130ns, but only between RRUs connected to the same DU
• This permits “sync clusters” of very tightly synchronized elements

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Enhanced clock specifications for 5G

D D

+/-4ns +/-4ns

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From 4G eNB to 5G gNB synchronization evolution
PTP Profile
G.8275.1/.2
4G: RRH connected RRH T-TSC SyncE T-GM
over CPRI with in-band
synchronization
BBU EPC

5G: gNB with Ethernet

connectivity and
DU/CU using PTP for T-TSC G.8275.1 T-BC PTP Profile G.8275.1/.2
accurate timing SyncE SyncE T-GM

RRU connected over

eCPRI with PTP DU CU
synchronization
EPC
5G RRU ETH/eCPRI ETH-IP

BBU is further split into DU/CU with very stringent timing requirements
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Synchronization with eCPRI front- and backhaul

RRH

RRH DU CU

Central
RRH eCPRI fronthaul CU and DU with Core network: full or synchronization
network: FOPS eREC fronthaul partial on-path delivery with
Cell sites with eRE G.8275.1 timing and GNSS- support grandmaster and
for fronthaul timing BC and SyncE disciplined GM BC and SyncE ePRTC
Fronthaul Midhaul Backhaul
+/-100nsec
+/-1100nsec

Emerging synchronization architecture for most stringent timing requirements

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5G synchronization architecture

Telecom
Distribution CU grandmaster
Central
unit units
RRU Ethernet
eCPRI
AU DU CU

G.8275.1 G.8275.1 or G.8275.2

Access
RRU unit CU

Fronthaul Midhaul Backhaul

+/-100nsec
+/-1100nsec

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Solution portfolio

Back-/fronthaul
Cell site Central office

OSA 5401 SyncPlugTM: OSA 5405 SyncReachTM: OSA 5420/30/40: edge/ OSA 3230B: atomic cesium
SFP-based cell site PTP cell-site grandmaster with core grandmaster clock for highest precision
grandmaster integrated dual GNSS featuring 1/10GE interfaces and longest holdover
receiver
ePRTC solution

Many opportunities to enhance accuracy of time distribution

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Thank you

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