SDH

Synchronous Digital Hierarchy

NTI 1
Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy
(PDH)

Evolved in response to plain old telephone service

(POTS)
Disadvantages
 Network complexity (multiplexer mountain)
 Difficulty in control (e.g. to ensure that a 2Mbit/s leased
line follows the correct path)
 Lack of performance monitoring capability
 Insufficient network management (traditional event
management functions dealing with alarms in the
network)

NTI 2
Multiplexer mountain

NTI 3
Network complexity lead to:

Problem of drop and insert of channels

Does not make for very flexible connection
patterns or rapid provision of service

Example: video conference links must be

booked days in advance

NTI 4
 Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
(SDH)

Evolved to meet the new sophisticate

telecommunication services such as video
conferencing, remote data base access and
multimedia file transfer.

Advantages
 Network simplification by reducing the amount of
equipment in the network
 Soft ware control by the provision of network
management channels within the SDH frame structure
NTI 5
 Network simplification lead to:

 More efficient drop and insert of channels

 Increasing available band width (band width on
demand) Example: dial up video conferencing which
require large bandwidth by dialing the appropriate
number
 Reduction in maintenance and operation which
increase efficiency and reliability
 Saving costs due to reductions in amount of
equipment, reductions in spares, reductions in floor
space, and lower power consumption

NTI 6
Soft ware control

Network management channels will provide many

management functions:
 Alarms

 Performance monitoring

 Configuration management

 Network security

 Inventory management

 Network planning and design

NTI 7
Soft ware control
lead to:

 Vast improvement in control of transmission

networks.
 Improvement in network restoration and
reconfiguration capabilities.
 Better availability and faster provisioning of
services.

NTI 8
Standards
 CCITT recommendations (Now the ITU-T)
G.707, G708, and G.709 defined SDH
(Synchronous Digital Hierarchy ) standards
 In North America ANSI published its SONET
(Synchronous Optical Network) standards
 The recommendations allowing existing PDH
signals to be carried over a synchronous network.

NTI 9
 Bit rate SDH SONET
Mbps
9953.28 STM-64 OC-192
4976.64 STM-32 OC-96
2488.320 STM-16 OC-48
1866.24 OC-36 STM Synchronous
1244.16 OC-24 Transport
Module
933.12 OC-18
OC Optical Carrier
622.080 STM-4 OC-12
466.56 OC-9
155.520 STM-1 OC-3
51.84 OC-1

NTI 10
Basic multiplexing principle

NTI 11
SDH Multiplexing Structure

 The first level of the SDH is known as STM-1

(Synchronous Transport Module 1) at 155,520
kbit/s.
 Higher rates are integer multiples of the first level
bit rate.
 At present, the following rate constitute the
synchronous digital hierarchy:
STM-1: 155,520 kbit/s.
STM-4: 622,080 kbit/s.
STM-16: 2,488,320 kbit/s (2.5 Gbit/s).
STM-64: 9,953,280 kbit/s (10 Gbit/s).
NTI 12
STM-1 frame structure
270 columns (bytes)

9 261

1
Section overhead
SOH
3
4 Administrative unit pointer
9 rows
5 STM-1 payload

Section overhead
SOH

NTI 13
STM-1 payload
 The SDH allows for any of the current
transmission rates (except 8 Mbit/s) to be mapped
into containers, called Virtual Containers (VCs).
 The containers can be combined into standard
formats in order to form the payload of the STM-1
signal.
 Different containers can be mixed, allowing for
different rates to be carried simultaneously within
the same structure

NTI 14
 SDH generalized multiplexing
structure
× N ×1 C-4 139 264 kbit/s
STM-N AUG AU-4 VC-4

×3
×1
×3 TUG-3 TU-3 VC-3

44 736 kbit/s
C-3
AU-3 VC-3 34 368 kbit/s
×7
×7

×1
TUG-2 TU-2 VC-2 C-2 6312 kbit/s

AU-4 Pointer processing ×3

TU-12 VC-12 C-12 2048 kbit/s

Multiplexing ×4

Aligning

TU-11 VC-11 C-11 1544 kbit/s

Mapping

NTI 15
 Transport PDH
1,5 Mbps 2 Mbps 34/45 Mbps 140 Mbps

C11 C12 C2 C3 C4

AU 3 AU 4

NTI 16
 Transport PDH
1,5/2 Mbps 34/45 Mbps 140 Mbps

C1 C2 C3 C4

= VC-4
P
C4 O
H

C4
P
O Pointeur = AU-4
H

S
AU-4 O
H
= STM-1
NTI 17
 Transport PDH
1,5/2 Mbps 34/45 Mbps 140 Mbps

C1 C2 C3 C4

= VC-3
P

TU-3
C3 O
H

TU-3

C3
P
O Pointeur = TU-3
H

P
C4 O
H
= VC-4
NTI 18
 xn STM n
AUG
140 Mbps

P C4
VC 4
S
O AU-4 O
H
H
x3 x3 34 Mbps
S P
TUG 3 O
H
TU-3 O VC 3 C3
H

S P
O
H
AU-3 O VC 3
H

x7 x7
2 Mbps
x3 S P
TUG 2 O TU-12 O VC 12 C12
H
H
NTI 19
NTI 20
The elements of the SDH
 Container (C-n), n=1 to 4
This is the basic element of the STM1 signal consisting of a
group of bytes allocated to carry the transmission rates
 Virtual Container (VC-n), n=1 to 4
The lower order VC-ns (n=1 or 2) are built up of the
basic container (C-n, n=1 or 2) plus Path Overhead
(POH) information.
The higher order VC-ns (n=3 or 4) are built up of either
a single basic container (C-n, n=3 or 4), or an assembly
of Tributary Unit Groups (TUGs), together with the
POH information.
NTI 21
 The elements of the SDH (continue)

The POH information includes:

 VC path performance monitoring
 Signals for maintenance purposes
 Alarm status indications.
 The POH information for the higher order
VC-ns also includes multiplex structure
indications which detail the VC composition

NTI 22
 The elements of the SDH (continue)
 Tributary Unit (TU-n), n=1 to 3
It consists of a lower order VC plus a Tributary Unit
pointer.
The pointer value indicates the offset of the lower order
VC frame start relative to the higher order VC frame start.
This element provides adaptation between the lower order
path layer and the higher order path layer.
 Tributary Unit Group (TUG-n), n=2 or 3
It is formed by a group of identical TUs or TUGs
It allows mixed capacity payloads to be constructed.
NTI 23
The elements of the SDH (continue)

Administrative Unit (AU-n), n=3 or 4

This element consists of a VC-n (n=3 or 4) plus
an AU pointer
It provides adaptation between the higher order
paths and the multiplex section layer.
The pointer value indicates the phase alignment
of the VC-n with respect to the STM-1 frame.
The location of the pointer is fixed within the
STM-1 frame structure.
NTI 24
The elements of the SDH (continue)

Administrative Unit Group (AUG)

This element is formed by a group of byte
interleaved AUs.
The AUG has a fixed position in the STM
payload.

NTI 25
Overhead Bytes

NTI 26
Path Overheads
VC-12 path overhead
 The Path Overhead (POH) forms part
of the relevant Virtual Container and
provides information for use in the
end-to-end management of a
synchronous path.
 The V5 byte in the VC-12 is the path
overhead information pertaining to the
VC-12 end-to-end path

NTI 27
VC-12 path overhead (V5 byte)

 BIP-2 (Bits 1 and 2). The Bit Interleaved Parity (BIP) bits are used to
provide an error monitoring function for the VC-12 path.
 REI (Bit 3). The Remote Error Indication (REI) bit is used to
communicate detected BIP-2 errors back to the VC-12 path originator.
 RFI (Bit 4). Remote Fail Indication (RFI). Not used in present
applications.
 Signal label (Bits 5 to 7). These bits are used to indicate the payload
mapping and equipped status.
 RDI (Bit 8). The Remote Defect Indication (RDI) bit is used to
indicate certain detected TU path alarms to the VC-12 path originator.

NTI 28
 VC-4 path overhead
270 bytes

261 bytes

AU-4
1 byte
SOH
3

J1 VC-4
AU-4 PTR B3
1

C2

G1

SOH F2
5

H4

F3

K3
STM-1
N1

VC-4
POH
260 bytes
PTR Pointer

NTI 29
VC-3 / VC-4 path overhead
 The VC-3/VC-4 path overhead consists of nine bytes:

 Path trace (J1). This byte is used to provide a fixed length

string which is transmitted repetitively so that the receiving
terminal can verify connection to the intended transmitter.
 Path BIP-8 (B3). This byte provides an error monitoring
function for the VC-3/VC-4 path.
 Signal label (C2). This byte is used to indicate the
composition of the VC-3/ VC-4 payloads.
 Path status (G1). This byte is used to convey path
terminating status and performance information back to
the VC-3/VC-4 path originator.

NTI 30
VC-3 / VC-4 path overhead (continue)
 Path user channels (F2,F3). These bytes are
available for user communication purposes
between path elements.
 Multiframe indicator (H4). This byte provides a
generalized multiframe indicator for payloads.
 APS (K3). This byte is allocated for Automatic
Protection Switching (APS) signalling for high
order path protection..
 Network operator (N1). This byre is allocatted to
provide a Tandem Connection Monitoring
function
NTI 31
 STM1 Section Overhead

RSOH Regenerator Section OverHead

1
2
3 Pointer
4
5
6
7 MSOH Multiplexer SOH
8
9

NTI 32
SOH
A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 C1
RSOH B1 E1 F1
D1 D2 D3
Pointer

B2 B2 B2 K1 K2
D4 D5 D6
MSOH D7 D8 D9
D10 D11 D12

Z1 Z1 Z1 Z2 Z2 Z2 E2
NTI 33
Section overhead
 The Section Overhead (SOH) forms part of the
STM-1 frame.
 The SOH is divided into two parts, the
Multiplexer Section Overhead (MSOH) and the
Regenerator Section Overhead (RSOH).
 The MSOH is only generated/ terminated at each
end of a multiplex section (i.e. where an STM is
assembled/ disassembled) and passes transparently
through regenerators.
 The RSOH is assembled/terminated at each
regenerator and at the end of a multiplex section.
NTI 34
 Regenerator Section overhead
The function of the RSOH bytes is as follows:
 Framing (A 1, A2). These bytes are used for frame alignment
purposes. A1: 11110110 A2: 00101000
 BIP-8 (B1). This byte is used to provide an error monitoring
function for a regenerator section. The byte is also used in the
frame alignment process.
 Order wire (E1). This byte is used to provide an order wire
channel which may be accessed at regenerators and
multiplexers.
 User channel (F1). This byte is reserved for user purposes.
 DCCR (D1 to D3). The Data Communication Channel (DCC)
bytes provide a 192 kbit/s regenerator data channel. These
bytes can be used to pass management control messages.
 Regenerator Section Trace (JO). This byte is transmitted to
the receiving terminal so it can verify correct connection.
NTI 35
 Multiplexer Section overhead
The function of the MSOH bytes is as follows:

 B1P-24 (B2). These bytes are used to provide an error

monitoring function for the multiplex section.
 APS channel (K1, K2). The Automatic Protection Switching
(APS) Channel bytes are used for APS signalling.
 DCCM (D4 to D12). The Data Communication Channel bytes
provide a 576 kbit/s multiplex data channel.
 Order wire (E2). This byte is used to provide an order wire
channel which may be accessed only at multiplex section
terminations.
 Timing Marker Byte (S1). Used for synchronization status
messaging (SSM)
 Spare (Z1, Z2). Function not allocated.
 Section REI (M1). Used to indicate BIP-24 (B2) errors at
remote end.
NTI 36
Synchronous Transport Module
Level 1 (STM-1)
 This is the basic element of the SDH
 It comprises a single AUG and the Section
Overhead (SOH) information.
 The STM-1 frame structure comprises an array of
270 columns by 9 rows of 8-bit bytes.
 The frame length is 125 µs.
 The order of transmission is from left to right, then
from top to bottom.
 The SOH information includes STM-1 framing,
section performance monitoring, and other
maintenance and operational information.
NTI 37
Synchronous Transport Module
Level N (STM-N)

 This element defines the Nth level of the

SDH.
 An STM-N contains N AUGs together with
SOH information.
 The N AUGs are one-byte interleaved and
have a fixed phase relationship with respect
to the STM-N.

NTI 38
STM-N Frame Structure
270 N columns (bytes)

9 N 261 N

1
Section overhead
SOH
3

4 Administrative unit pointer(s)

9 rows
5 STM-N payload

Section overhead
SOH

NTI 39
STM-4 Frame Structure

NTI 40
Mapping of Tributaries into
VC-n

NTI 41
Asynchronous mapping
of 2048 kbit/s tributary
into VC-12

500 ms

V5 VC-1 POH

NTI 42
Mapping of a 2048 kbit/s signal into a
VC-12
 The 2048 kbit/s tributary signal is asynchronously
mapped into a VC-12 signal
 The additional fixed stuff bits and bytes maintain
a defined size of 140 bytes over a period of 500
µs (multiframe).
 Asynchronous mapping allows for justification of
the tributary, allowing for variations between the
tributary clock rates and the clock providing the
timing for the synchronous network.
 The VC-12 signal contains a POH byte(V5),
which provides error checking, signal label, and
path status information for the VC-12 path
NTI 43
 Mapping of a
34368 kbit/s
signal
into a VC-3

NTI 44
Mapping of a 34368 kbit/s signal
into a VC-3

 The 34368 kbit/s tributary signal is

asynchronously mapped into a VC-3 signal.
 In addition to the VC-3 POH, the VC-3 consists of
a payload of 9 x 84 bytes every 125 µs.
 This payload is divided into three subframes.
 Each subframe comprising data bits (D), two sets
of justification control bits (C1, C2), two
justification opportunity bits (S1,S2), and fixed
stuff bits (R).

NTI 45
Mapping of a 44736 kbit/s signal
into a VC-3

NTI 46
 Mapping of a 44736 kbit/s signal
into a VC-3
 The 44736 kbit/s tributary signal is asynchronously mapped
into a VC-3 signal.
 This payload is divided into nine subframes.
 Each subframe comprises:
one byte of VC-3 POH
data bits
a set of justification control bits
one justification opportunity bit
two overhead communication channel bits
the remaining bits are fixed stuff (R) bits
the O bits are reserved for future overhead communication
purposes.
NTI 47
Multiplexing Method

NTI 48
Multiplexing of threeTU-12s
via a TUG-2

 A pointer is added to the VC-12 signal to

form a TU-12.
 The pointer indicates the phase alignment of
the VC-12 with respect to the TU-12.
 Each TU-12 occupies 9-row by four
columns.
 The columns of three TU-12s are
interleaved in the TUG-2.

NTI 49
VC-12 mapping in multiframed
tributary

NTI 50
 Multiplexing of three TU-12s
via a TUG-2

TU12

TUG2

NTI 51
Multiplexing of sevenTUG-2s
via a TUG-3

 TUG-3 is a 9-row by 86 column

structure.
 The first two columns are fixed stuff.

 A group of seven TUG-2s can be

multiplexed via the TUG-3.

 The TUG-2s are one-byte interleaved
in the TUG-3.
NTI 52
 Multiplexing of seven TUG-2s
via a TUG-3

1 ..………………… 12
(1) (2) (3) (7)

Fixed
Stuffing
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9………………… 86

NTI 53
Multiplexing of a single TU-3
via a TUG-3

 The TU-3 consists of the VC-3 and the

TU-3 pointer.
 The phase of the VC-3 with respect to the
TUG-3 is indicated by the TU-3 pointer.
 The first column of the 9-row by 86-column
TUG-3 is allocated to the TU-3 pointer
(bytes H1, H2, H3) and fixed stuff.

NTI 54
Multiplexing of a singleTU-3
via a TUG-3

NTI 55
Multiplexing of three TUG-3s
into a VC-4
 The TUG-3 is a 9-row by 86-column structure.
 The VC-4 consists of one column of VC-4 POH
(provide error checking, signal label, path status,
and multiplexing structure information for the VC-
4 path), two columns of fixed stuff and a 258-
column payload structure.
 The three TUG-3s are single byte interleaved into
the 9-row by 258-column VC-4 payload structure
and have a fixed phase with respect to the VC-4.
 The phase of the VC-4 with respect to the AU-4 is
given by the AU-4 pointer.
NTI 56
Multiplexing of three TUG-3s
into a VC-4

NTI 57
Multiplexing of AU-4 via AUG
 An AU pointer is added to the VC-4 to form an
AU-4.
 The pointer indicates the phase alignment of the
VC-4 with respect to the STM-1 frame. The AU-4
pointer is in a fixed location in the STM-1 frame.
 The AU-4 is placed directly in the AUG, which
together with the SOH, forms the STM-1.
 The Section Overhead (SOH) provides STM-1
framing, section performance monitoring and
other maintenance functions.

NTI 58
Multiplexing of AU-4 via AUG

NTI 59