A.

The timing signal transport between

different layers
The timing signal transport between network layers should
be unidirectional, layer by layer and downward. The timing
signal can be transported bidirectionally among networks at
the same level layer. However, it is forbidden to send out
timing signals to the upper layer network from the lower
layer network.

Figure 2 presents the longitudinal transport of the timing

signal among network layers. In general cases, the network
timing of inter-provincial transport network layers originates
from PRC. The network timing of the inter-provincial
transport network can be transported to the provincial
transport network layer through three modes , i.e.
cascading LPR, establishing bridge connection through the
STM-N tributary and applying the external timing interface
of the SDH network element, which correspond to ①, ②
and ③ in the figure respectively. The network timing of the
provincial transport network layer can also be transported
to the local transport network layer by three modes. They
are cascading SSU-T, establishing bridge connection
through the STM-N tributary and applying the external
timing interface of the SDH network element, which
correspond to ④, ⑤ and ⑥ in the diagram respectively.
 Figure 2 Intra-layer timing distribution method of the
network

B. The timing signal transport within layers

The latitudinal timing signal transport in the network layers is mainly to
solve synchronous problems of each transport layer (including the inter-
provincial backbone transport network layer, provincial backbone transport
network layer and the local transport network layer).

Now let us take the inter-provincial transport network layer for an example
to discuss how to realize intra-layer synchronization of various types of
networks. The same methods can be applied to the provincial backbone
transport network layer and the local transport network layer. Generally, the
master/slave timing signal of the inter-provincial transport network comes
from different PRC. Under special circumstances, the standby timing signal
can come from LPR. But it should be guaranteed that at least one PRC to
be set in the inter-provincial ring network.
● Synchronization distribution of the inter-provincial
ring network

As for the timing access method of the inter-provincial ring

network, you can select one from A, B or C in figure 3
according to actual needs.

Figure 3 Synchronization distribution of the inter-provincial

ring network
The master and slave timing reference source in method A both run
through the whole ring unidirectionally, and the planning is rather simple.
The disadvantage is that there are too many SEC clocks. In method B, the
timing of the master/slave timing reference source is provided to the SDH
ring by the master/slave PRC bidirectionally. The number of the SEC
clocks is comparatively small. In method C, two PRCs provide the
master/slave timing references for different segments. The serially
connected SEC clocks are fewer but the planning is rather complex. In
addition, under normal conditions, the whole SDH ring is working at the
pseudo synchronous status. Method C is mainly used for long-distance
inter-provincial ring network.
● Synchronization distribution among inter-provincial
ring networks

If there is only one PRC in the inter-provincial ring

network, the master timing of the ring network will be
provided by its own PRC, while the standby timing may
come from the PRC of another ring network, as shown in
figure 4. In the diagram, two PRCs have been set in inter-
provincial ring network I; while there is only one PRC in
inter-provincial ring network II. Inter-provincial ring network
II may obtain the standby timing signal from inter-
provincial ring network I through the station connecting the
two rings. In the station that connects the two rings, there
are two kinds of transport methods between the two rings,
they are:

1) Establishing bridge connection through the STM-N

tributary directly;
2) Applying the external timing interface of the SDH
network element.

Figure 4 Diagram of inter-ring timing transport

The timing transport between several inter-provincial ring
networks should be unidirectional as shown in figure 5. In
the diagram, there is no inter-provincial ring network with
double PRCs close to inter-provincial ring network III.

Figure 5 Unidirectional timing transport among multiple

rings
In the case where several ring networks have been
connected with each other, the number of SDH NE clocks
serially connected between any two SSU should not
exceed 20 under any circumstances. To ensure this, it is
permitted to cascade one LPR between two rings in the
inter-provincial transport network layer as shown in figure
6. In the diagram, the standby timing signal of inter-
provincial ring network II comes from the GPS signal.
 Figure 6 LPR serially connected between rings

● Synchronization distribution of the inter-provincial

chain network

The master timing of the inter-provincial SDH chain

network is provided by the adjacent PRC through
connected ring network. That means the timing signal is
transported downwards through the STM-N tributary or the
external timing interface. In principle, no LPR is serially
connected between the inter-provincial ring network and
the SDH chain network, so as to ensure that the main
timing signals for both networks come from PRC, and at
most two LPRs can be serially connected to the timing
chain. The standby timing signal of the chain network is
provided by LPR on the chain , as shown in figure 7.
 Figure 7 Timing transport method for the chain network
III. Conclusion

SDH pointer adjustment may cause serious jitter and

wander on the output PDH tributary interface, the timing
signal derived from the PDH tributary can not to be used
for the timing reference for the network synchronization.
Therefore, over a long period of time, the transport of
synchronous timing signal based on the SDH transport
system has been a controversy. From the aspects
mentioned above, the basic concepts of synchronization,
characteristics of China Mobile transport network and
attentions for synchronization, we can draw a conclusion.
The synchronous signal can be transported definitely in
the SDH transport network only if the planning of the
network is reasonable and the SDH equipment complies
with corresponding recommendations and regulations.
With the gradual opening of the telecom market, it becomes an urgent task for China Mobile Communication
Group to construct a transmission network of its own. Furthermore the construction of the SDH transmission
network provides the necessary infrastructure for the building of the synchronous network. At present,
China Mobile Communication Group has done a lot of work for the planning and construction of its own
transmission network. The provincial Mobile Communication companies have established the provincial
backbone transmission networks and local transmission networks.

The development and application of SDH depends largely on the synchronization quality of the network. On
the other hand, when the SDH system is used for transporting timing signals, the synchronous performances
of different SDH equipment are different, too. Therefore, even if the SDH system has perfect synchronous
performance and SSM function, such problems as timing loop and lower clock synchronizing the upper
clock may still occur. As a result, the network structure of the SDH transport network and that of the
synchronous network must be designed at the same time, with the consideration of actual situation.
According to the structure and characteristics of China Mobile transmission network, this article puts much
emphasis on the description of the synchronous solution of the mobile transmission network.

II. Synchronous Network Architecture of China Mobile Transmission Network

The SDH transmission network is both the user of the digital synchronous network and the carrier of it. More
specifically, to the synchronous planning of the SDH transmission network, two aspects should be taken into
consideration: first, synchronization required by the SDH transmission system itself; second, how to
transport the timing signal based on SDH transport network.

● Synchronous requirements of the SDH transport network

First of all, the timing performance of the SDH transmission equipment should comply with ITU -T
recommendation G.811, G.812, G.813 and Technical Requirements for the SDH Transmission Equipment -
Clock prescribed in the standard of this industry. Second, to ensure the reliability of the synchronization, any
SDH transmission system can derive two timing signals from two different reference sources at least. Third,
the wander/jitter performance of the SDH transport network should be in accordance with the corresponding
clauses of ITU-T recommendation G.825. The synchronous requirement of the SDH transmission system is a
rather mature technology and would not be discussed here.

● Requirements for timing transport through the SDH transport network

The requirements for timing transport through the SDH transport network can be divided into the following
three aspects: route selection for timing transporting through the SDH transport network, the clock function
of the SDH equipment and the SSM function of the SDH equipment.

A. Route selection for timing transporting through the SDH transport network
In general cases, to avoid the effect on the downstream clock by pointer adjustment, the timing signal should
be derived from the STM-N line signal instead of other synchronous channels (such as PDH) supported by
the SDH system. Under special circumstances, as for the terminal base station equipment, the timing needs
to be derived from other synchronous channels (PDH 2Mb/s) supported by the SDH system. In this case, the
PDH 2Mb/s service should have retiming function.

B. Requirement for the clock function of the SDH equipment

The functional structure of the SDH equipment clock should be in compliance with the relevant clauses in
ITU-T recommendation G.783. As shown in figure 1. where T1 is the input interface of STM-N from the STM-N
line/tributary, T2 is the PDH input interface from the PDH tributary. T3 is the external timing input interface
from the external timing interface. SETG is the synchronous equipment timing generator of SEC.. T4 is the
external timing output interface, whose timing signal can be derived directly from the STM-N line/tributary or
from SETG. T0 is the internal timing interface.
 Figure 1 SDH equipment clock functional structure
● SSM function: a necessity for the SDH equipment

The SDH multiplex section must be equipped with the SSM function. In accordance with ITU-T recommendation
G.707, 5-8 bits of the S1 byte in the multiplex section of the STM-N frame structure are specified to indicate the
quality level of SSM. The meanings are as shown in table 1.

Table1 Assignment of bit patterns

1) When SEC loses the input timing reference signal and no other references are
available, SEC will enter the hold-over status. And the STM-N line/tributary and
external timing output signal (except for those derived) at all directions should
send out SSM message of the SEC clock level.

2) If the SSM quality level of the current timing reference signal selected changes
but does not cause reference switching, the STM-N line/tributary (except for those
sending DNU reversely) and external timing output signal (except for those
derived directly) should send out the relevant SSM quality level message.

3) When SEC selects a new timing reference signal, the STM-N line/tributary
(except for those sending DNU reversely) and external timing output signal
(except for those derived directly) should send out the SSM quality level message
relevant to the newly selected timing reference signal.

4) When SEC selects a STM-N line/tributary as the timing reference signal, the
reverse signal corresponding to the STM-N line/tributary signal should send out
the SSM quality level message of QL_DNU.

5) When the external timing output signal is selected to be derived from the STM-
N line/tributary and SEC selects the external timing input signal as the timing
reference signal, the reverse signal corresponding to the STM-N line/tributary
signal should send out the SSM quality level message of QL_DNU.

6) When the external timing output signal is selected to be derived from the STM-
N line/tributary, the SSM quality level message of the selected STM-N
line/tributary signal should be sent out. When the LOS/AIS/OOF alarm occurs to
the selected STM-N line/tributary signal, the 2Mb/s interface should have the
function of inserting AIS signal into the external timing output signal or blocking
the external timing output signal.