Introduction
Telecommunications –
Communication over distance
Transmission networks deal with getting
Transmission Technologies
FDM – Frequency division multiplexing.
TDM – Time Division Multiplexing.
Time Division Multiplexing
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1
2 2 2
2 2 2
2 2
3 3 3
3 3 3
3 3
4 4 4
4 4 4
4 4
4 3 2
1 4 3
2 1
Low order signals
Dense Wave Division Multiplexing
One
Wavelength
Dense Wave Division Multiplexing
DWDM Signal
λ1
λ2
λ3
λ4
λ5
λ6
λ7
λ8
λ1
λ2
λ3
λ4
λ5
λ6
λ7
λ8
Primary Rate Multiplexing
Sampling
Quantising
Encoding
Multiplexing
Analogue Signal
Primary Rate Multiplexing
Analogue signal
Primary Rate Multiplexing
Quantising
Encoding
10110010110010010101010
Primary Rate Multiplexing
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031
2MBit/s
64KBit/s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031
31 Channels
Framing
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031
15 Channels
15 Channels
Framing
Signalling
31
C
h
ann
el
30 Ch
an
n
el
PDH
Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy
Plesiochronous – “Almost Synchronous”
Multiplexing of 2Mbit/s signals into higher order multiplexed signals.
Laying cable between switch sites is very expensive.
Increasing traffic capacity of a cable by increasing bit rate.
4 lower order signals multiplexed into single higher order signal at
each level.
PDH
28
8
34
34
140
140
565
565
140
140
34
34
8
82
PDH
2
34
34
140
140
565
565
140
140
34
34
2
PDH Limitations
Synchronisation
TX
RX
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
The data is transmitted at regular
intervals. With timing derived from
the transmitters oscillator.
The data is sampled at the same
rate as it is being transmitted.
PDH Limitations
Synchronisation
TX
RX
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
The data is transmitted at regular
intervals. With timing derived from
the transmitters oscillator.
The data is sampled at a slower
rate than the transmitter.
These bits are
missed at the
receiver end.
PDH Limitations
Synchronisation
TX
RX
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
The data is transmitted at regular
intervals. With timing derived from
the transmitters oscillator.
The data is sampled at a faster
rate than the transmitter.
These bits are
sampled twice at
the receiver end.
PDH Limitations
Synchronisation
TX
RX
RX
TX
DE
MUX
MUX
MUX
DE
MUX
HO
TX
HO
TX
HO
RX
HO
RX
Timing
extraction
Timing
extraction
PDH Limitations
Synchronisation
bit rate
adaption
bit rate
adaption
4
3
2
1
3
2
1
‘fast’ incoming
2Mbit/s channel
‘slow’ incoming
2Mbit/s channel
J
J
J
3
2
1
J
J
4
3
2
1
Justification
bits
Justification
bits
Master
oscillator
8Mbit/s
PDH Limitations
Mux Mountain
2
8
8
34
34
140
140
565
565
140
140
34
34
8
82
Add / Drop
Increased equipment requirements
Increased space on site.
PDH Limitations
Lack Of Traffic Resilience
140
565
565
140
Traffic Lost
Traffic Lost
PDH Limitations
Limited Network Management
140
565
565
140
Traffic Lost
Traffic Lost
DCN
DCN
!
Alarm reported.
No diagnosis tools available.
Maintenance staff sent to site.
PDH Limitations
No Mid-Fibre Meet
140
565
565
140
SDH
SDH – Global Networks
European bit rates
64Kb/s
(PCM)
x32
2Mb/s
x4
8Mb/s
x4
34Mb/s
x4
140Mb/s
x4
565Mb/s
North American bit rates
1.5Mb/s
x24
x4
6Mb/s
x7
45Mb/s
X
Not supported
in SDH.
Non standard
X
1
stOrder
2
ndOrder
3rd Order
4th Order
E1
E2
E3
E4
SDH – Network Topologies
Line Systems
SDH – Network Topologies
Line Systems
Terminal
Terminal
SDH – Network Topologies
Ring Systems
ADM
ADM
ADM
ADM
STM-1
Pointers
Overheads
Overheads
STM-1
Pointers
Overheads
Overheads
Payload
9 Bytes
9
Bytes
261 Bytes
270 Bytes
STM-1
Pointers
Overheads
Overheads
Payload
9 Bytes
9
Bytes
261 Bytes
270 Bytes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 01 11 12 268 269 270 21 61 2162 2163 2164 2165 2166 2167 2168 2169 2170 2171 2172 2428 2429 2430 27 1 54 1 81 1 1 0 81 1 3 51 1 6 21 1 8 91STM-1 Overheads
Repeater Section Overheads
Multiplex Section Overheads
AU Pointers
3 Bytes
1 Byte
5 Bytes
STM-1 Overheads
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
STM-1 Overheads
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
SDH
SDH
STM-1 Overheads
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
SDH
SDH
STM-1 Overheads
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
SDH
SDH
STM-1 Overheads
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
SDH
SDH
POH
RS
RS
RS
STM-1 RS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
X XB1
MD MDE1
MDF1
X XD1
MD MDD2
MDD3
Multiplex Section Overheads
AU Pointers
X – Reserved bytes MD – Media dependent
STM-1 RS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
Multiplex Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The A1 & A2 bytes are used for frame
STM-1 RS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
Multiplex Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The J0 byte is used to carry the RS Path
Trace. This is a
repetitively transmitted string used to identify the transmitting node.
SDH Path Trace
ADM
ADM
SDH
SDH
SDH
SDH
London
Paris
“London”
“Paris”
SDH Path Trace
ADM
ADM
SDH
SDH
SDH
SDH
London
Paris
“London”
“Paris”
“Paris”
“London”
SDH Path Trace
ADM
ADM
SDH
SDH
SDH
SDH
London
Paris
“London”
“Paris”
“Paris”
“London”
“Paris”
“London”
SDH Path Trace
ADM
ADM
SDH
SDH
SDH
SDH
London
Paris
!
!
“London”
“Paris”
“Paris”
“London”
“Amsterdam”
“London”
X
STM-1 RS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
Multiplex Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The B1 byte is used for
parity error checking.
It carries the parity of the complete previous
STM-1 RS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
Multiplex Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The E1 byte provides a 64Kbit/s channel that
can be used to carry voice for engineering
order wire use. As this
is in the RS overhead this channel can be accessed at any node.
SDH EOW
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
STM-1 RS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
Multiplex Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The F1 byte is reserved for user purposes.
STM-1 RS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
Multiplex Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The D1, D2, & D3 bytes provides a 192Kbit/s channel that
is used as a data
communications channel between
nodes for management purposes.
SDH Management
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
SDH
SDH
Network Management Centre
DCN Network
DCC Channels DCC Channels DCC Channels DCN Connection DCN Connection Gateway Node Gateway NodeSTM-1 MS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
B2
B2
B2
K1
K2
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
S1
Z1
Z1
Z2
Z2
M1 E2
X XRepeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
STM-1 MS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
B2
B2
B2
K1
K2
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
S1
Z1
Z1
Z2
Z2
M1 E2
X XRepeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The B2 byte allows for
parity error checking
within the MS overhead. Parity is computed from the previous frame with the exception of the RS overheads.
STM-1 MS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
B2
B2
B2
K1
K2
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
S1
Z1
Z1
Z2
Z2
M1 E2
X XRepeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The K1 & K2 bytes are for used for automatic
protection switching.
The are used to control the switches that occur on the network.
SDH Network Resilience
ADM
ADM
ADM
ADM
Active path
Standby path
SDH Network Resilience
ADM
ADM
ADM
ADM
Active path
Standby path
SDH Network Resilience
ADM
ADM
ADM
ADM
Active path
Standby path
Network Management
Centre
SwitchSTM-1 MS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
B2
B2
B2
K1
K2
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
S1
Z1
Z1
Z2
Z2
M1 E2
X XRepeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The Dx bytes are for used for a DCC
channel within the MS
overhead.
576Kbit/s are available for communication within this channel.
STM-1 MS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
B2
B2
B2
K1
K2
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
S1
Z1
Z1
Z2
Z2
M1 E2
X XRepeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The S1 byte is used for
synchronisation
messaging. It denotes the quality level of the synchronisation that can be derived from this incoming signal.
SDH Network Synchronisation
Primary
reference
Secondary
reference
ADM
ADM
ADM
ADM
SDH Network Synchronisation
Primary
reference
Secondary
reference
ADM
ADM
ADM
ADM
SDH Network Synchronisation
Primary
reference
Secondary
reference
ADM
ADM
ADM
ADM
!
!
SDH Network Synchronisation
Primary
reference
Secondary
reference
ADM
ADM
ADM
!
ADM
STM-1 MS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
B2
B2
B2
K1
K2
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
S1
Z1
Z1
Z2
Z2
M1 E2
X XRepeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The Z1 and Z2 bytes currently have no allocated function.
STM-1 MS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
B2
B2
B2
K1
K2
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
S1
Z1
Z1
Z2
Z2
M1 E2
X XRepeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The M1 byte is used as a remote error
Remote Error Indication
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
SDH
SDH
B2 error detected
Multiplex section
Remote Error Indication
ADM
SDH
Regen
SDH
Regen
SDH
ADM
SDH
SDH
B2 error detected
MS-REI
received generatedMS-REI
Multiplex section
STM-1 MS Overheads
A1
A1
A1
A2
A2
A2
J0
B1
E1
F1
D1
D2
D3
B2
B2
B2
K1
K2
D4
D5
D6
D7
D8
D9
D10
D11
D12
S1
Z1
Z1
Z2
Z2
M1 E2
X XRepeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
The E2 byte provides an EOW channel within the MS overhead.
SDH Pointers
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
SDH Pointers
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
Multiplex Section Overheads
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
Multiplex Section Overheads
Payload area
Payload area
SDH Pointers
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
Multiplex Section Overheads
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
Multiplex Section Overheads
Payload area
Payload area
SDH Pointers
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
Multiplex Section Overheads
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
Multiplex Section Overheads
Payload area
Payload area
SDH Pointers
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
Multiplex Section Overheads
Repeater Section Overheads
AU Pointers
Multiplex Section Overheads
Payload area
Payload area
SDH Pointers
H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3
SDH Pointers
H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3
SDH Pointers
H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3
SDH Pointers
H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3
NDF NDF NDF NDF S
S
I
D
I
D
I
D
I
D
I
D
SDH Pointers
H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3
Past STM-1
Pointers
Overheads
Overheads
Payload
144 Bytes
4176 Bytes
4320 Bytes
9 Bytes
STM16 Frame
Past STM-1
Optical
Optical
Optical
Optical
Electrical / Optical
Electrical
Electrical
Electrical
Medium
40Gbit/s
STM-256 (future)
10Gbit/s
STM-64
2.5Gbit/s
STM-16
622Mbit/s
STM-4
155Mbit/s
STM-1
140Mit/s
E4
34Mit/s
E3
2Mit/s
E1
Bit rate
Signal
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
AU-4
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
STM-N
Mapping
Aligning
Multiplexing
TUG-2
TUG-3
AUG
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x7
x3
x3
xN
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
C-3
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
x3
The Container is the basic element of SDH. Payload signals that are to be
transported across the SDH layer are mapped into the appropriate container. 1.5M maps into a C-11 2M maps into a C-12 6M maps into a C-2 34M maps into a C-3 45M maps into a C-3 140M maps into a C-4
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
VC-12
VC-2
VC-3
x3
Overhead bytes collectively known as the Lower Order
Path Overhead are added to
the container to form a Virtual
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
VC-12
VC-2
VC-3
x3
The VC-11/12/2 POH is comprised of :V5 - Indication and error
monitoring. J2 - Path indication N2 - Tandem connection monitoring K4 - Automatic protection switching
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
VC-12
VC-2
VC-3
x3
The VC-3/4 POH is comprised of : J1 - Path indication B3 - Quality monitoring C2 - Container format G1 - Transmission error acknowledgment F2 - Maintenance H4 - Superframe indication F3 - Maintenance K3 - Automatic protection switching N1 - Tandem connection monitoring
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
x3
A Pointer is added to the
Virtual Container to create a Tributary Unit.
This pointer functions in the same way as the pointer within the section overheads but is applied at a lower level and should not be confused with the higher level pointer. This lower level pointer is known as the TU Pointer
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
TUG-2
x4
x3
Four of the TU-11 Tributary
Units can be multiplexed
together to create A Tributary
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
TUG-2
x4
x3
x3
Alternatively three of the
TU-12s can be multiplexed
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
TUG-2
x4
x3
x1
x3
Or the last way to construct the TUG-2 is to use a single
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
TUG-2
TUG-3
x4
x3
x1
x7
x3
In a typical lower order SDH network carrying 2M traffic 7
TUG-2s will be multiplexed
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
TUG-2
TUG-3
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x3
Alternatively if the network is carrying 34M or 45m traffic the
TUG-3 can be created from a
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
TUG-2
TUG-3
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x3
x3
3 TUG-3s can be multiplexed together to create a VC-4. When this is created another
layer of path overhead is added. This is known as the
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
AU-4
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
TUG-2
TUG-3
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x3
x3
A single VC-4 will have a pointer added to create an
Administrative Unit, known
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
AU-4
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
TUG-2
TUG-3
AUG
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x3
x3
The Administrative Unit
Group is created when
multiplexing several
Administrative Units.
Using this route through the hierarchy only one AU-4 is needed to create the AUG, no
processing is performed or overhead added.
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
AU-4
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
STM-N
TUG-2
TUG-3
AUG
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x3
x3
xN
To create the SDH signal several AUGs are multiplexed
together with the section overheads added to create the
STM-N signal.
For example, one AUG would be used in an STM-1, whereas
sixteen AUGs would be used to create an STM-16 signal
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-4
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
STM-N
TUG-2
TUG-3
AUG
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x3
xN
There is an alternative way to create the signal, although the
one shown here is typically used. The alternative route is
mainly used when interconnecting with SONET
networks or for SDH radio applications where lower bit rate STM-0 / OC-1s are used
as the building block instead of STM-1
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-4
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
STM-N
TUG-2
TUG-3
AUG
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x7
x3
xN
Seven TUG-2s are multiplexed together to form a VC-3. This stage also adds a High Order
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
AU-4
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
STM-N
TUG-2
TUG-3
AUG
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x7
x3
xN
A pointer is added to the VC-3 to create an AU-3. This pointer
SDH Hierarchy
C-4 140M
45M
34M
6M
2M
1.5M
VC-3
C-3
VC-4
AU-3
AU-4
C-2
C-12
C-11
VC-11
TU-11
VC-12
TU-12
VC-2
TU-2
VC-3
TU-3
STM-N
TUG-2
TUG-3
AUG
x4
x3
x1
x1
x7
x7
x3
x3
xN
Three AU-3s can be multiplexed together to form an AUG if an STM-1 or higher
is going to be created. The AUG then has the section