SYNCHRONIZATION

REPORT
OF
COMMITTEE
 TERMS OF REFERENCE
To review existing Synchronization plan.

To study current problems in

synchronization of network and reasons
thereof.

To suggest a new Synchronization plan in

accordance with international practices but
keeping in view the rollout of BSNL HQ
and its interconnection with other operators.
 TERMS OF REFERENCE
To suggest actions to be taken in the short
term as well as long term.

To identify requirement of additional

hardware and instruments needed to
implement the full synchronization network.

To formulate a Synchronization Audit and

Monitoring strategy.
 TERMS OF REFERENCE
To formulate the role of every unit
(Regions, Circles, SSAs) in the process as
an ongoing activity.
EXISTING SYNCHRONIZATION PLAN

• Separate Synchronization Plans for

I. SWITCHING NETWORK :

II. TRANSMISSION NETWORK:

SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK

This plan envisages to

National Reference Clock.

SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
1. Main National Reference Clock (MNRC)
At Mumbai established by VSNL.
2. BackUp National Reference Clock (BNRC)
At Delhi .

MNRC BNRC
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
MNRC will normally control the entire network.
BNRC will be with dedicated and duplicated
links with MNRC.

MNRC BNRC
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
The Clock Hierarchy follows natural telecom
traffic hierarchy.
SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
MNRC & BNRC forms Layer-1.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)

Timing reference is transported over traffic

E1-links from MNRC/BNRC.
Except Four Metros where these will be
dedicated links.
SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
MNRC & BNRC forms Layer-1.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
Level-1 TAXs forms Layer-2.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
Level-1 TAXs will have timing I/Ps throw ‘M’ & ‘S’ links.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
M links

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
Level-1 TAXs will have timing I/Ps thr ‘M’ & ‘S’ links.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
‘M’ links ‘S’ links

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2

In addition, they may also receive Third reference I/P from

another Level-1 TAX.
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
Level-1 TAXs will have timing I/Ps thr ‘M’ & ‘S’ links.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
‘M’ links ‘S’ links

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2

In addition, they may also receive Third reference I/P from

another Level-1 TAX.
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
Level-2 TAXs forms Layer-3 .
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
‘M’ links ‘S’ links

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2

Level-2
TAXs
Layer-3
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
Level-2 TAXs will have three timing I/Ps .
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
‘M’ links ‘S’ links

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2

Level-2
TAXs
Layer-3

One from its own parent Level-1 TAX.

Second from one of non-parent Level-1 TAX.
Third from one of the designated Level-2 TAX.
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
All other Exges will have upto 3 timing I/Ps.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
‘M’ links ‘S’ links

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2

Level-2
TAXs
Layer-3

Exchanges
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
All other Exges will have upto 3 timing I/Ps.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
‘M’ links ‘S’ links

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2

Level-2
TAXs
Layer-3

Exchanges One from its parent Lev-2 TAX.

Second from non-parent Lev-2 TAX.
Third from one of the Exchange.
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
All other Exges will have upto 3 timing I/Ps.
MNRC BNRC Layer-1
(Mumbai) (Delhi)
‘M’ links ‘S’ links

Level-1
TAXs Layer-2

Level-2
TAXs
Layer-3

Exchanges
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
SWITCHING NETWORK
In present Scenario,
The Clock is extended from Level-1 TAX at
Mumbai/Delhi to other TAXs via E1s over TX n/w.

Lev-1 TAX in each T/Circle will be the source for

reference clock for the entire Switching Network in
that Circle.

Private operators in that Circle should also take the

reference clock from designated Lev-1 TAX of that
Circle.
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
TRANSMISSION NETWORK
Till PDH Systems were in use,
Synchronization of Transmission N/W was not an
issue.
After deployment of SDH Systems,
Synchronization of Transmission N/W has become
essential.
“A separate guideline has been issued from
TEC/DOT for synchronizing all the SDH Rings
with PRC(MNRC) at Mumbai.
 SYNCHRONIZATION OF
REAL TIME CLOCK
Elements in standalone mode –
OMC
NMS
LCT

These are not synchronized to show the

same time everywhere.
Need for
Review of ‘Synchronization plan’.
RECOMMENDATIONS of COMMITTEE
SHORT TERM MEASURES

LONG TERM MEASURES

SHORT TERM MEASURES
 BSNL HQRS should issue guidelines for
synchronizing all the switches with the 2MHz
clocks from the SSU’s/ADM’s.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
 1. The SDH equipment procured from SIEMENS
(HTL) has the capability to resynchronize the E1’s at its
output by configuring the E1’s to the retimed mode with
the software. It has been tried by the committee and
found to improve the clock quality of the traffic PCM.
The results of the experiment on a traffic PCM after
retiming in the Siemens system can be seen at Annexure-
3.
Instructions may be issued that wherever the SIEMENS
system is deployed, all the E1’s should be configured to
the Resync mode. This will improve the data services
delivered from the RLU’s, RSU’s. It will also benefit the
BTS and improve the mobile services.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
 Instructions for synchronizing the MSC’s,
BTS can be issued to reduce the call drop rates.

 Guidelines for synchronizing the DLC, MLLN,

NIB with clock from SDH system/SSU also
must be issued.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
o In case of DLC, the parent exchange should be
synchronized with the SDH clock and the DLC
(COT) should be synchronized with the
exchange.

S CLOCK SIG E D
X
D G L
H E C

The experiment done at Bangalore in BGTD has

shown encouraging result by bringing down the
slips in data circuits to zero
 SHORT TERM MEASURES
o The DXC & V-MUX of MLLN should be
synchronized using the external clock input
taken from the SSU/ADM in that building.

CLOCK SIG
SSU/
MLLN
ADM

Clear instructions need to be issued from BSNL HQRs to the

vendor, QA, A/T, and field units since there seems to be some
confusion amongst the engineers working on behalf of ITI.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
o NIB nodes should be synchronized with the
clock derived from the STM signal, or SSU, or
SDH system whichever is applicable.
o Similarly, equipment of VPN and other
broadband services should be synchronized
with the clock from SSU, ADM as per
availability.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
 Synchronization of real time clocks:
Immediate action is required for synchronizing
the clocks of the NMS, OMCs etc so that the
time exhibited by them is matching with others.
This is required for coherence of performance
data and billing information.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
 In order to gauge the effectiveness of
synchronization,
Sync Audit need to be carried out at
strategically important stations immediately
(This may require the purchase of 2 Nos of
GPS clock urgently).
Measuring the true clock quality will
provide the true picture of the synchronization
of the network.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
 The SSUs deployed in the network should be
used properly.
Measurement and recording of the MTIE
graph of all the input clocks at specified time
intervals regularly.
This will give data regarding the deterioration
in the clock as it flows through the network and
also the section which may be adding errors on
the clock.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
 The A/T of the SSU’s needs to be carried out.
In the long run, these must also be tested once
every year for the accuracy of the clock output.
This can be carried out by the Sync Audit team.
 The A/T schedule of all telecom equipments
should include the compliance of
synchronization requirements and this
should be tested thoroughly before deployment
in the network.
SHORT TERM MEASURES
 Expert guidance may be sought for initial
planning. ALTTC may be asked to conduct
seminars with foreign experts for the select
officers and sync audit team for effective
synchronization of the network.
EXPERIENCE AFTER
SYNCHRONIZATION
 TAX Level II (e.g. JND) :

Station July 11, 2003 Jan 23, 2003 Remark

AM (B) 36.47 40.17
AM (BT) 46.83 48.89
ANAND 43.32 45.55
AMRELI 44.75 52.89
BARODA 45.32 41.65
BHARUCH 44.44 48.85
BHAVNAGAR 44.03 51.65
BHUJ 39.63 42.45
MBI-FTN 4.052 45.34
MBI-G’GAON 44.75 38.12
MBI-PDI 35.87 50.38
EXPERIENCE AFTER
SYNCHRONIZATION
 TAX Level I & II :

Station July 11, 2003 Jan 23, 2003 Remark

JMN 46.96 49.85

MEHSANA 38.27 45.15

RJ BKT 46.25 50.86

SURAT 40.96 43.35

EXPERIENCE AFTER
SYNCHRONIZATION
 LOCAL EXCHANGES :
• Vadodara SSA, Savil SDCC --
Repeated Failure of dependent Exchanges
-- Required to be reset

After Synchronization with SDH Clock

-- No such prolem
-- CCR improves by 4 to 5%.
EXPERIENCE AFTER
SYNCHRONIZATION
 MSC :
Rajkot, Surat and Ahmedabad –

Earlier CCR was of the order 50%.

After few months dropped to less than 40%
After synchronization again improved to
above 50%.
EXPERIENCE AFTER
SYNCHRONIZATION
 InterNet :
• Earlier
Frequent Problems of Disconnection.
(Since Launch of Internet services)
Very slow.
• After Synchronization
Both the problems are Solved
• Examples:
Umargaon SDCC of Valsad SSA.
EXPERIENCE AFTER
SYNCHRONIZATION
 ISDN :
∀ Waghodia SDCC –
Apollo Tyre using ISDN for Video Conferencing.
** Before Synchronization --
Freezing of images
Low speed
**After Synchronization --
No freezing
Full Speed
EXPERIENCE AFTER
SYNCHRONIZATION
 ISDN :
∀ Dholka SDCC (AM SSA)-ZS-Cadilla –
** Before Synchronization --
Not able to commission ISDN connection
High error rate
**After Synchronization --
Error free ISDN got commissioned.
EXPERIENCE AFTER
SYNCHRONIZATION
 Data Circuit (G3/G4) :
∀ For some of the MUX at Rajkot and
Ahmedabad –
** Before Synchronization --
Complaint of Slip/Error
Every time it was required to JO/JI the
control Card
**After Synchronization –
No slips observed.
Speed improvement for circuits of Stock
Exchange Rajkot .
LONG TERM MEASURES
ITPRC
 The is suggested
of VSNLthat BSNL should
(TATA’s) is beinghave
usedits
as the
reference
own PRC’s for at
whole of BSNL
all the Network.
four Metros – Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata.

ND

CA
BY

CNI
LONG TERM MEASURES
Each PRC should be connected to Three
SSU’s located at three different places in each
metro.

ND

CA
BY

CNI
LONG TERM MEASURES
 Every station in the network should have
access to all the three SSU’s to build
redundancy in the clock distribution network.

ND

CA
BY

CNI
LONG TERM MEASURES
 In all future procurements, the TM’s
should have provision delivering Retimed
E1’s. This can be used as clock source in
addition to carrying traffic.
LONG TERM MEASURES
 At location of RLU, BTS where
Retimed E1’s cannot be provided, a
separate Retiming unit can do the job of
retiming the E1’s.
The process of framing the GR can be
initiated and at the same time alternate
ways of procuring the same can be
examined.
LONG TERM MEASURES
 The detailed plan for carrying out the
Sync Audit for BSNL network in long
run may be chalked out .
 In all future procurement of any telecom
equipment, the synchronization aspect
should be taken care of – provision of
external clock input port, compatibility,
etc.
 Action To Be Taken
Sl.No. Action To Be Taken Unit Concerned Remarks

1. Issue of orders/guidelines for NM cell, BSNL New Implementation by all

synchronization of all TAXs Delhi circles and Maintenance
and Switches with 2 MHz clock Regions.

2. Configuration of 2 Mb tributary All territorial circles

(TEX 1) cards in the Re-synch
Orders to be issued by
HQRS
mode

3. Redeployment of already
supplied Siemens TM’s in areas
All territorial circles Orders to be issued by
HQRS
where RLUs/RSUs/BTS are to
be connected.

4. Guidelines for Synchronization All territorial circles

of DLC, MLLN with clock from
Orders to be issued by
HQRS
SDH source
 Action To Be Taken
Sl.No. Action To Be Taken Unit Concerned Remarks

5. Synchronization of NIB with

clock taken from SDH.
Data Networks

6. Synch Audit of Synchronization All Maintenance

network of BSNL.
Regions
Initially NTR and WTR
may do it on top priority
after procuring GPS
clock ALTTC can be
involved in the exercise

7. Performance monitoring in the All Maintenance

SSUs at regular intervals-
MRTIE, TDEV, FFOFF,
SPREAD.
Regions
To be done at mutually
agreed times and
schedule in consultation
with ALTTC.