Overview; New Capabilities - Symmetricom TimeProvider 1000 User Manual

Chapter 1 Overview of the TimeProvider

Overview

Overview
The TimeProvider is Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU) designed specifically to
meet the needs at the network edge. In small offices where core office
synchronization solutions are critical, an edge clock like the TimeProvider is ideal
because of its compact size and flexibility. Using the integrated GPS features, the
TimeProvider can be used in a "small" Central Office to act as a Primary Reference
Source (PRS).
The TimeProvider's unique design incorporates the input, output, and clock
functions in a single card, available with either a Rubidium or quartz oscillator. This
allows you to simplify the storage inventory required for future expansion needs.
The TimeProvider shelf requires only three plug-in cards to operate with full
redundancy: dual Input/Output/Clock cards (IOCs) and a single Information
Management Card (IMC), which serves as a communications/alarm interface. The
main shelf provides up to 32 redundant universal timing outputs; an optional
Expansion Panel provides an additional 32 redundant outputs.
Using Symmetricom's SmartClock™ technology design, the oscillators within the
IOCs are enhanced with improved performance and accuracy. Using intelligent
firmware algorithms, SmartClock "learns" the effects of the ageing of the clock while
it is locked to a reference signal and stores this information in its memory. If the
reference signals are lost or disqualified, SmartClock uses the stored data to
compensate for frequency changes while the TimeProvider continues to distribute
highly stable synchronization signals.
The TimeProvider also uses Symmetricom's BesTime
input is activated. By using other inputs as references, Bestime calculates and
determines a weighting factor for each of the inputs and ensembles them in the
overall timing scheme to provide very accurate timing outputs. In the event of GPS
signal loss, BesTime continues to predict GPS timing information to provide reliable
system timing outputs and holdover performance, ensuring that system reliability is
maintained. See BesTime, on page 39 for more information.

New Capabilities

The operating software in the TimeProvider is improved to provide the following
capabilities:
Retiming – A new Output module is available to re-time, re-amplify, and re-shape
an inbound (East) data-bearing signal. The TimeProvider provides a stable
frequency source to re-transmit the data to the line-terminating Network Element.
The return (West) path on the module provides re-amplify and re-shape only. See
Retimer Module, on page 30, for more information.
Input/output port labeling – The user can label TimeProvider input and output
ports, including the input side on the Retimer module. The label, or circuit ID, can
be up to 40 characters long.
20 TimeProvider User's Guide
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algorithm when the GPS
097-58001-02 Revision C – August 2005