Symmetricom 1100 User Manual

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097-58001-02 Revision G – April 2008
TimeProvider User’s Guide
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Chapter 1 Overview of the TimeProvider
SmartClock
These output formats automatically generate SSMs. The quality level of the 
TimeProvider’s output depends on the quality level of the input signal or the quality 
level of the local oscillator. During normal operation, when a qualified input is used 
as the active timing reference, the TimeProvider copies the input’s quality level to all 
DS1 ESF outputs and E1 CAS4 or CCS4 outputs. T1 SSM messages are mapped 
to the corresponding equivalent E1 SSM message and vice versa. 
If the IOC is operating in Holdover mode for any reason, the SSM quality is the 
internal level of the oscillator installed in the IOC.
SmartClock
The TimeProvider uses Symmetricom’s SmartClock technology, which predicts 
frequency changes due to aging of the local oscillator in the IOC; this offsets this 
deterministic behavior by steering the output with a corrected deviation. 
The TimeProvider begins the learning process as soon as you apply a valid external 
reference source. The SmartClock technology is enabled after 24 hours of 
continuous lock; the TimeProvider then issues an event message similar to this:
IOC1,EQPT,NA,SCAVAIL,NSA,04-12-14,12:13:14:\”SMARTCLOCK ALGORITHM, ENABLED\”
If you reset the IOC or if the oscillator becomes less stable (for example, due to 
extreme temperature swings), the TimeProvider disables SmartClock and issues an 
event message similar to this:
IOC1,EQPT,NA,SCAVAIL,NSA,04-12-17,15:16:17:\”SMARTCLOCK ALGORITHM, DISABLED\”
The TimeProvider automatically restarts SmartClock, which then begins to 
determine a new aging rate for the oscillator.
BesTime
The TimeProvider uses Symmetricom’s BesTime algorithm when it is in the PRR 
mode to provide enhanced GR-2830-CORE performance during bridging or 
holdover situations. BesTime minimizes the effect of transients on the reference 
signal on the outputs of the TimeProvider by comparing them against the system 
reference to produce the most stable outputs from the TimeProvider.
The BesTime algorithm is based on Symmetricom’s patented use of multiple-input 
phase-locked loops (MPLLs) to generate a correction signal for the local oscillator 
(LO) in the IOC. With GPS as the primary input signal in PRR mode, the signals on 
the PRS, INP1 and INP2 inputs may be enabled and used in the BesTime 
ensembling algorithm to generate output signals derived from the optimum 
weighting of each input.