At ITSF 2020, Jörg Urban explored how networks can evolve quickly to solve new time and sync challenges. He discussed advanced technologies for backing up GNSS signals with network-based timing in order to satisfy the demands of the most time-sensitive applications, enhancing resilience and enabling significant capex and opex savings.
10. Steps Taken to Time Sync Our Network
Core GMs at EPCs
Edge GMs in aggregation rings
Lab & Field tests;
T-BC performance tests
network performance tests
PTP full on-path profile
G.8275.1 & SyncE
Best Practice for 5G!
Monitor & Report & Act
to maintain the TimeSync
Network node configurations
PTP&SyncE > T-BC mode
eNodeB Profile change
FREQ>TIME + SyncE
LTE-A inter-eNodeB CA
11. Our Time Sync Solution at a glance…
CoreAggregationAccess
Mobile
Services
Fixed
Services
UPE
NPE
PTP G.8265.1
PTP G.8275.1 & SyncE
PTP G.8275.2 APTS
30 nsec phase accuracy
14 day holdover 100nsec
All-in-one Data Center Solution40nsec phase
accuracy
5G fronthaul
solutions
CU/DU
Core GM
PRTC
Edge GM
PRTC
Edge GM
PRTC-BMini GM
ePRTC
NTPPTPSSU
PTP
FREQ
PTP G.8275.1 & SyncE
PTP
FREQ
PTP
FREQ
PTP
FREQ
PTP
FREQ
PTP
FREQ
T-BC
T-BC
T-BC
T-BCT-BC
T-BC
T-BCT-BC
T-BC
PTP
TIME
PTP
TIME
PTP
TIME
PTP
TIME
OC
OC
12. • ePRTC nodes for resiliency
and better accuracy
• PRTC-B for better accuracy
• More Edge/Mini GMs for
service coverage and GM
redundancy in the network
Modernization
• 5G capable network
nodes comply with T-BC
class C or D
• Fix-Mobile Convergence
lessens number of
nodes with better time
budgets
PTP traceability
• In-house STAR tool; Time
Sync chains GM to
eNodeB
• In-house NPT tool; node
configs and PTP reports
• Probing to monitor phase
accuracy - OTA TAE tests
5G Readiness
• Time synced LTE network
ready for 5G with;
• ePRTC/Core GMs at core
• Edge GMs at backhaul
• Mini GMs to be used for
fronthaul topology
Improve &
Expand
Network
Fully PTP aware
Monitoring
End-to-end
Towards 5G network
Reliable Sync
Coverage