PolyNet Ltd.
Synchronization of 2G GSM
networks
Network Synchronization Training
Zoltán Zorkóczy
Viktor Szigeti
Content
Similarities and differences
TDM part specialties
Radio access specialties
Some measurement result
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
GSM Switch network as a PSTN chain
PSTN network
Main MSC
1 G.812 T / G.811
Secondary MSCs
2 2 2 G.812 T/G.812/L
BSCs
3 3 3 PDH NE
BTSs
R R R R Special
User
Special
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
2G GSM synchronization evolution
Main MSC Main MSC Main MSC
G.812 T/G.812/ L G.811 G.811
From PSTN Autonomous GPS/PSTN
Secondary MSCs Secondary MSCs Secondary MSCs
G.812 T/G.812/L G.812 T/G.812/L G.811
From PSTN From Main MSC From Main MSC/GPS
BSCs BSCs BSCs (remote)
PDH NE PDH NE Mini SSU
From MSC From MSC From MSC/GPS
BTSs BTSs BTSs
Rubidium clock OCXO OCXO
Free run From E1 From E1
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
The origin of 2G sync requirements
Radio frequency accuracy – Channel cross-talk
Timing stability – Hand-over success
To ensure the above requirements:
1.) Apply high free running accuracy (autonomous) Base
Station Clock – the network can start up without
additional synchronization
2.) Synchronize the Base Station Clock from incoming
TDM stream that distributes the timing signal and
sourced from the network’s Primary Reference Clock
(PRC) – The Base Station Clock’s accuracy will be
three order of magnitude better in tracking state than
in free run mode.
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
GSM base station timing requirements
Specification is according to ETS 300 579 as original
standard
Radio clock free running accuracy 50 ppb (5E-8, 50
ns/s) for FDD performance
Input interface jitter and wander acceptance is
according to G.823 synchronization interface as
minimum requirement for synchronizing, and G.823
data interface limit for data exchange. In practice the
input wander acceptance is between the two limits.
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Minimum requirement to 2G BTS timing
MTIE
(ns)
104 G.823 data interface out
er
pu t wand SSU EN 300 462.4
able in
S toler
2G BT
Nokia
103
PDH, G.823 sync interface G.812
PRC G.811
SEC, G.813
10 2
10
5E-8
frequency
offset for
FDD
1
0,1 1 10 102 103 104 105
Observation interval (s)
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Frequency tracking of a 2G BTS clock
-3,3
0
*10 -10
-1
*10 -3*1 -
2,2 0 10
Measuring time (s)
Radio clock tracking result measured on the 13 MHz test
output of the 26 MHz internal clock of the base station
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Test wander sample
Measuring time (s)
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Wander sensitivity of a 2G BTS clock 1
E -9
5,3
1000 nspp wander switched on
Measuring time
Radio clock tracking error measured on the 13 MHz test
output of the 26 MHz internal clock of the base station
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Wander sensitivity of a 2G BTS clock 2
1*10-7
8000 nspp wander on traffic input 4*10-8
Measuring time
Radio clock tracking error and sync loss result measured on the 13 MHz test
output of the 26 MHz internal clock of the base station
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
2G MSC source change and holdover
Source change
Switch to holdover
Measuring time (s)
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
2G BSC source change
Tracking Tracking
Switch to tracking
Start to switchover
Source change end
Measuring time (s)
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Degraded transport quality to BTS
TIE, MTIE and TDEV result
on the E1 output of a microwave
radio link
The quality is degraded by
the special timing
tracking method of the
equipment type
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
2G BTS wander sensitivity affect on GPRS
download speed
Speed GPRS letöltési sebesség vándorlás érzékenysége
(Byte/s)
4050
4000
-0,4%
Sebesség (Byte/s)
3950
3900 -0,8%
0
3850 -2,1% 1000 nspp
3800 -3,5% 8000 nspp
3750
3700
3650
S8000- RBS200- RBS2202- RBS2206-
1
CBCF(Nortel)900MHz 2
(Ericsson)900MHz 3
(Ericsson)1800MHz 4
(Ericsson)1800MHz
Type of basetípusa
Bázisállomás stations
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
2G BTS wander sensitivity affect on EDGE
download speed
EDGE
Speed letöltési sebesség vándorlás érzékenysége
(Byte/s)
12000
11950
Sebesség (Byte/s)
11900 0
-1,5%
11850 1000 nspp
11800 8000 nspp
11750
11700
0 1000 nspp 8000 nspp
Vándorlás
Wander terhelés
load on (nspp)
BTS traffic input
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Synchronization of 3G Base Stations
Definitions of network synchronization
Place and role of the RNC and Node-B in the
synchronization hierarchy
Timing possibilities in the packet switching
world
Distribution of the timing signal in the packet
transport environment
Conclusions and suggestions
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Timing requirements of GSM Base Stations: 2G, 3G
Requirements: ETS 300 579 – the first standard 2G
Radio clock’s free run accuracy: 50 ppb
(5E-8, 50 ns/s) for the proper FDD* function 2G
PDH input jitter and wander tolerance
according to the G.823 sync interface 2G
Additional requirement TS 125.402[B6]:
For proper operation of TDD* and macro diversity the
relative phase difference between two Node-B can 3G
not exceed 2,5 µs (±1.25 µs).
FDD* Frequency Division Duplex
TDD* Time Division Duplex
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Minimum requirement to 2G BTS timing
MTIE
(ns)
104 G.823 data interface out
er
pu t wand SSU EN 300 462.4
able in
S toler
2G BT
Nokia
103
PDH, G.823 sync interface G.812
PRC G.811
SEC, G.813
10 2
10
5E-8
frequency
offset for
FDD
1
0,1 1 10 102 103 104 105
Observation interval (s)
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Node-B timing requirement
MTIE
(ns)
104 G.823 data interface out
ander
SSU EN 300 462.4
rab l e input w
S tole
2G BT typica
l
Nokia
Node-B ut wander
le inp
103 tolerab
PDH, G.823 sync interface G.812
PRC G.811
SEC, G.813
10 2
2,5µs to TDD
and macro diversity
10
5E-8
Filtered by the timing regeneration frequency Node-B requirement
performance of the Node-B offset for
FDD
1
0,1 1 10 102 103 104 105
Observation interval (s)
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
System organizing for cost effective operation
The functions of timing:
Synchronising
equipment
Node-B
Error free data exchange
Interference free radio Tx/Rx
FDD Tx/Rx
TDD Tx/Rx
Quality parameters: Quality parameters:
Free run accuracy 5E-8 Free run accuracy
Tracking performance Minimum SEC Tracking performance
Transient instability 2,5µs max Transient instability
Absolute timing 2,5µs max for TDD Absolute timing
Holdover time Where are awaiting from Holdover time
For optimizing the price - performance balance
always use the timing services in Node-Bs present
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
Conclusions – what to do?
If the BTS/NodeB equipped with integrated GPS
clock use it for timing.
If TDM network element available at a given
station use its external sync output for Node-B
timing.
If non of the above available implement
standalone GPS clock for NodeB synchronization.
In case of sync Ethernet backhaul make sure that
its quality is in line with rec. ITU-T 8262.
Use IEEE 1588 precision time protocol if it is
available in the existing transport/access media or
use external components to ensure the required
timing signal quality.
PolyNet Ltd. 2016 Safaricom Sync Training
Viktor Szigeti
