Symmetricom 1100 User Manual

Chapter 1 Overview of the TimeProvider
Overview

 TimeProvider User’s Guide

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, you 
can use the TimeProvider 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. 
When dual IOCs are installed, you can mix any combination of Rubidium and quartz 
oscillators (for example, Rb/Rb, Rb/Qz, or Qz/Qz) to the needs of the network. 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

®

 algorithm when the GPS 

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 

, on page 43 for more information.

The TimeProvider is available in two shelf models. Each shelf supports up to 32 
redundant output channels.

The TimeProvider 1000 is a 175 mm tall ETSI shelf that meets the requirements 
of ETSI 300 119-4 January 1994. 

 shows the TimeProvider 1000 shelf. 

The TimeProvider 1100 is a 130 mm tall rear-access shelf; indicators are on the 
front panel and connections are available on the rear panel. 

 shows the 

front panel of the TimeProvider 1100.