Nortel Networks Circuit Card User Manual

Page of 908
 NTAK20 Clock Controller daughterboard
 Page 741 of 906
without software intervention. If both references are out of specification, the 
clock controller provides holdover.
Autorecovery and chatter
If the command “track to primary” is given, the clock controller tracks to the 
primary reference and continuously monitors the quality of both primary and 
secondary references. If the primary goes out of specification, the clock 
controller will automatically “track to secondary” if the secondary is within 
specifications. On failure (both out of specification), the clock controller 
enters the HOLDOVER mode and continuously monitors both references. An 
automatic switchover is initiated to the reference that recovers first. If the 
secondary recovers first, then the clock controller tracks to the secondary, 
then switches over to the primary when the primary recovers. If the primary 
recovers first, the clock controller tracks to the primary and continues to do 
so even if the secondary recovers.
If the command “track to secondary” is given, the clock controller tracks to 
the secondary reference and continuously monitors the quality of both 
primary and secondary references. If the secondary goes out of specification, 
the clock controller automatically tracks to primary provided that is within 
specifications. On failure (both out of specification), the clock controller 
enters the HOLDOVER mode and continuously monitors both references. An 
automatic switchover is initiated to the reference that recovers first. If the 
primary recovers first, the clock controller tracks to the primary, but switches 
over to the secondary when the secondary recovers. If the secondary recovers 
first, the clock controller tracks to the secondary even if the primary recovers.
To prevent chatter due to repeated automatic switching between primary and 
secondary reference sources, a time-out mechanism of at least 10 seconds is 
implemented.
Digital to analog converter
The Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) enables the microprocessor to track, 
hold, and modify the error signal generated in the digital PLL.
The firmware uses the available memory on the clock controller to provide 
error-burst detection and correction. Temporary holdover occurs in the 
momentary absence of the reference clock.