SDH

Synchronous Digital Hierarchy

PDH Systems Worldwide
Japan USA Europe

5. 397200 kbit/s 564992 kbit/s

x4 x4

4. 97728 kbit/s 274176 kbit/s 139264 kbit/s

x3
x3 x6 x4

3. 32064 kbit/s 44736 kbit/s 34368 kbit/s

x4
x5 x7
6312 kbit/s 8448 kbit/s
2. order
x4 x3 x4

1544 kbit/s 2048 kbit/s

primary rate

x 24 x 30

64 kbit/s
PDH Multiplex / Demultiplex
1
2048 kbit/s
64 kbit/s
Data Signals 1
30

8448 kbit/s
DSMX
1
64k/2
34 368 kbit/s
1

0.3 to 3.1 kHz 1

139264 kbit/s
AF signals 30

PCMX 30

1
15 kHz
Sound Program
4 DSMX
Signals
5 34/140

PCMX 30 DSMX
16
8/34
1

DSMX Channel Capacity:

64 2/8 64 x 30 = 1920
30
2 Mbit/s Frame Structures
Signalling
Flag information

voice / data signals voice / data signals

0 1 2 15 16 17 29 30 31

Si 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 FAS
(frames 0,2,4...)

Si 1 A Sa Sa Sa Sa Sa NFAS
(M) 4 5 6 7 8 (frames 1,3,5...)
time slot

duration: 125us 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
length: 32 x 8 Bit = 256 Bit
PDH Maintenance Signals
LOS
LOF
AIS PDH AIS
Equipment

D-Bit

BER 10-3 AIS

BER 10-6 PDH
Equipment

D-Bit
N-Bit
Plesiochronous Drop & Insert

140 Mbit/s 140 Mbit/s

main
OLTU OLTU OLTU OLTU
stand-by 34 - 140 34 - 140 34 - 140
34 - 140
8 - 34 8 - 34 8 - 34 8 - 34
2-8 2-8 2-8
2-8
Why SDH
 Simpler multiplexing
(low SDH level can be directly identified from
higher SDH level)

 Simple D&I of traffic channels

(direct access to lower level systems without
synchronization)

 Allows mixing of ANSI and ETSI PDH systems

 SDH is open for new applications

(It can carry PDH, ATM, HDTV, MAN,...)

 SDH provides TMN (ECCs)

(for centralized network control)
 Synchronous Network
PDH

#
PDH
SDH SDH SDH
SDH- SDH- SDH-
Regenerator Cross
Multiplexer Multiplexer
Connect

Regenerator Section Regenerator Section

Multiplex Section Multiplex Section

Path
 STM-1 Frame Structure
270 Columns (Bytes)
270 transmit
1 9 row by row
1
RSOH
3
4 AU Pointer Payload
5 (transport capacity)

MSOH
9

STM: Synchronous Transport Module

RSOH: Regenerator section overhead
MSOH: Multiplex section overhead
Payload: Area for information transport

Transport capacity of one Byte: 64 kbit/s

Frame capacity: 270 x 9 x 64 kbit/s = 155.520 Mbit/s
Frame repetition time: 125 us
Embedded Overhead Bytes
STM-1 SOH

A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 J0 X X
VC-3/4 POH
B1 E1 F1 X X
D1 D2 D3 J1
AU - Pointer B3
B2 B2 B2 K1 K2 C2
D4 D5 D6 G1
D7 D8 D9 F2
D10 D11 D12 H4 VC-1/2 POH
S1 M1 E2 X X F3
V5
K3
Media dependent bytes J2
N1
X Reserved for national use N2
K4
SOH: Section overhead
POH: Path overhead

The overheads (SOH, POH) are used for maintenance and supervision
of the SDH transmission network.
Functions of Regenerator Section Overhead
A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 J0
B1
D1
E1
D2
F1
D3
 Frame Alignment
AU - Pointer
B2 B2 B2 K1 K2
D4 D5 D6
D7
D10
D8
D11
D9
D12
 Section Trace
S1 M1 E2 (J0 Identification
of regenerator source)
 Parity check
(B1 calculated by regener. and multiplexers)

 Data communication channels

(D1...D3, F1 between regenerators)

 Voice communication channels

(E1 between regenerators)
Functions of Multiplexer Section Overhead
 Parity check (B2)
A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 J0
B1 E1 F1
D1 D2 D3  Alarm information
AU - Pointer
B2 B2 B2 K1 K2  Remote error indication (M1)
D4 D5 D6
D7
D10
D8
D11 D12
D9
 Automatic protection switching
S1 M1 E2 (K1, K2 Bytes)

 Data communication channels

(D4 to D12 between multiplexers)

 Clock source information (S1)

 Voice communications channels

(E2 between multiplexers)
Functions of Path Overhead
 Parity check
B3, BIP-2 calculated by path terminating point

 Alarm and performance information

 Structure of the VC
Signal label C2

 Multiframe indication for TUs (H4)

 User communications channel

between path elements

 Identification of the Path Source

(Path Trace J1)
Overhead Byte Functionality
SOH A1, A2 Frame synchronization
B1, B2 Parity bytes for transmission error monitoring
J0 Regenerator section trace
D1... D3 Regenerator section DCC
D4.. D12 Multiplex section DCC
E1, E2 Orderwire for voice communication
F1 User channel for maintenance purposes (data, voice)
K1, K2 Automatic protection switching (APS)
S1 Synchronization status message
M1 MS-REI (remote error indication)
J1 Higher order path trace
B3 Path parity byte for error monitoring
VC-3/4 C2 Signal Label (composition of payload)
POH G1 Path status and performance
F2, F3 Path user channels
H4 Payload specific byte
K3 Automatic protection switching (APS)
N1 Network operator byte (Tandem Connection Monit.)
V5 Error check, path status, signal label
J2 Lower order path trace
VC-1/2 N2 Network operator byte (Tandem Connection Monit.)
POH K4 Automatic protection switching (APS)
Frame Areas Covered by Parity Bytes
Parity bytes providing a means to supervise the
transmission
quality of a life STM-N signal !
RSOH
B1:
- Supervision of the
MSOH Payload whole STM-1 frame
- Covers the regenerator
sections of a trans-
mission system
RSOH
B2:
Payload - Covers the multiplex
MSOH sections (from network
node to network node)

RSOH B3:
- Covers the transmission
Payload
Payload paths from beginning to
MSOH the end (tributary to
tributary)
Pointers
The pointer technology provides a means to accommodate timing differences at SDH networks.
The pointer indicates the start of the payload within an STM-1frame.

 Indicates the position of a VC in a

higher order structure

 Virtual Container
Minimize network delay
(buffers are avoided)

 Adapt the bitrate of the VC to the rate of

a AU or TU

 Quick routing procedure

(possibility to set the pointer to
completely different values)
SDH and SONET are International Standards
ATM: 149.760 kbit/s
xN x1
STM-N AU-4 VC-4
STS-3N AUG STS-3C STS-
C-4 E4: 139.264 kbit/s
3C
SPE x3

x1 ATM: 48,384 kbit/s

TUG-3 TU-3 VC-3
x3

x1 x7
STM-0 AU-3 VC-3 DS3: 44.736 kbit/s
STS-1 C-3
STS-1 STS-1 SPE E3 : 34.368 kbit/s
x7
TUG-2 x1 TU-2 VC-2
VT VT-6 VT-SPE
C-2 DS2: 6.312 kbit/s
group

TU-12 VC-12
SDH ITU-T G.707 x3
VT-2 VT-SPE
C-12 E1: 2.048 kbit/s
x4

SONET BELLCORE GR.253 TU-11 VC-11

ANSI T1.105 VT-1.5 VT-SPE
C-11 DS1: 1.544 kbit/s
Multiplex Structure Elements
Container C-n: (n = 1-4)
Basic information structure which forms the synchronous payload.
The input data rate is adapted by fixed stuffing bits.
Clock deviations are compensated by a stuffing procedure similar to PDH.

Virtual Container VC-n: (n = 1-4)

The virtual container is the information structure with facilities for maintenance
and supervising. It comprises the information payload and the POH. Maintenance
signals are path related which spans from end-to-end through the SDH system.

Tributary Unit TU-n: (n = 1-3)

The tributary unit is formed of the virtual container and a pointer to indicate
the start of the VC. The pointer position is fixed.

Tributary Unit Group TUG-n: (n = 2,3)

This is formed by a group of identical TUs for further processing.

Administration Unit AU-n: (n = 3,4)

This element comprises a VC and an AU pointer. The pointer position is
fixed within the STM-1 frame.
C4 Mapping
Container C-4 contains a 140 Mbit/s PDH Tributary

9 261

RSOH

AU Pointer
260
J1
MSOH B3
C2
G1 C-4
F2
H4
140 Mbit/s
Z3
K3
Z5

C-4 transport capacity: 260 x 9 x 64 kbit/s = 149.760 kbit/s

C3-Mapping
Container C-4 contains 3 times a 34 Mbit/s PDH Tributary
(ETSI structure)

9 261

RSOH

AU Pointer
260
J1 H1 H1 H1
MSOH B3 H2 H2 H2
C2 H3 H3 H3
G1 J1
F2 B3 J1
H4 fixed stuffing C2 B3 J1
F3 G1 C2 B3
K3 F2 G1 C2
N1 H4 F2 G1 C-3
Z3 H4 F2
F3 F3 H4 34 Mbit/s
N1 K3 F3
N1 K3
N1

C-3 transport capacity: 84 X 9 x 64 kbit/s = 48.384 kBit/s 84

C-12 Mapping
RSOH

AU pointer
MSOH
VC-4

TUG-3

TUG-2
TU-12

Tu pointer
VC-12
 VC-4 Contiguous Concatenation
4 x 9 bytes 4 x 261 bytes
STM-4

RSOH

AU-4 Pointers
J1
B3
MSOH C2
Fixed Stuff
Fixed Stuff
G1 Fixed Stuff
F2 C-4-4c
H4
F3
K3
N1

VC-4-4c
4 x 261 bytes
The first Pointer indicates J1
All other Pointers are set to "Concatenation Indication" ATM Cell
VC-4 Virtual Concatenation (Generation)
4 x 9 bytes 4 x 261 bytes

STM-4
RSOH

AU-4 Pointers

J1 J1 J1 J1
B3 B3 B3 B3
MSOH C2 C2 C2 C2
G1 G1 G1 G1
F2 F2 F2 F2 C-4-4vc
H4 H4 H4 H4
F3 F3 F3 F3
K3 K3 K3 K3
N1 N1 N1 N1

VC-4-4vc
Generation:
All Pointers are set to the same value 4 x 261 bytes
All VC-4 should be kept in the same STM-4
ATM Cell
All VC-4 are transported as individual VC-4's
VC-4 Virtual Concatenation (Termination)
J1
J1
J1 B3
B3
B3 J1
VC-4 #1 C2
C2 VC-4 #4
C2 B3
VC-4 #2 G1 VC-4 #3 G1
G1 C2 F2
F2
F2 G1 H4
H4
H4 F2 F3
F3
F3 H4 K3
K3
K3 F3 J1 J1 J1 J1 N1
N1
N1 K3 B3 B3 B3 B3
N1 C2 C2 C2 C2
G1 G1 G1 G1
F2 F2 F2 F2 C-4-4vc
H4 H4 H4 H4
F3 F3 F3 F3
K3 K3 K3 K3
N1 N1 N1 N1

VC-4-4vc
Termination:
VC-4-4vc is reconstructed using the 4 x 261 bytes
(different) pointer values for alignment ATM Cell
 The way of integrating
PDH signals into STM-1
Plesiochronous 140Mbit/s
signal

Container C4

Path Overhead

Virtual Container VC-4

Pointer
AU-4
Administrative Unit

Section Overhead

Synchronous Transport Module STM-1

 Regenerator Multiplex Higher Order Lower Order
Section Section Path Path
LOS/LOF "1"

SDH
AIS
(J0) RS-TIM
BIP Err.

MAINTENANCE
(B1)
MS-AIS "1"
(K2) AIS
MS-BIP Err.

INTERACTIONS
(B2)
MS-REI
(M1)
MS-RDI
(K2)
AU-AIS "1"
AU-LOP
HP-UNEQ "1"
(C2) AIS
(J1) HP-TIM
HP-BIP Err.
(B3)
HP-REI
(G1)
HP-RDI
(G1)
TU-AIS "1"
TU-LOP
LOM
(H4)
HP-PLM
(C2)
LP-UNEQ "1"
(V5) AIS
LP-TIM
(J2)
LP-BIP Err.
(V5)
LP-REI
(V5)
LP-RDI
(V5)
"1"
(V5) LP-PLM
AIS
 Section Layer Line Layer STS Path Layer VT Path Layer
LOS "1"
AIS-L
(A1/2) LOF
BIP Err.
(B1)
"1"

SONET
(K2) AIS-L
BIP Err.
(B2)
REI-L
(M1)
(K2)
RDI-L
AIS-P AIS-P
MAINTENANCE
INTERACTIONS
LOP-P
UNEQ-P "1"
(C2)
(C2) PLM-P
BIP Err.
(B3)
REI-P
(G1)
RDI-P
(G1)
AIS-V AIS-V
LOP-V
UNEQ-V AIS
(V5)
PLM-V
(V5)
BIP Err.
(V5)
REI-V
(V5)
RDI-V
(V5)
Maintenance Signal Definitions
LOS Drop of incoming optical power level causes BER of 10 -3 or worse
OOF A1, A2 incorrect for more than 625 us
LOF If OOF persists of 3ms
B1 Error Mismatch of the recovered and computed BIP-8
MS-AIS K2 (bits 6,7,8) = 111 for 3 or more frames
B2 Error Mismatch of the recovered and computed BIP-24
MS-RDI If MS-AIS or excessive errors are detected, K2(bits 6,7,8) = 110
MS-REI M1: Binary coded count of incorrect interleaved bit blocks

AU-AIS All "1" in the entire AU including AU pointer

AU-LOP 8 to 10 NDF enable or 8 to 10 invalid pointers

HP-UNEQ C2="0" for 5 or more frames

HP-TIM J1: Trace identifier mismatch
HP-PLM C2: Payload label mismatch
HP-LOM H4 values (2 to 10 times) unequal to multiframe sequence
B3 Error Mismatch of the recovered and computed BIP-8
HP-RDI G1 (bit 5)=1, if an invalid signal is received in VC-4/VC-3
HP-REI G1 (bits 1,2,3,4) = binary coded B3 errors
Maintenance Signal Definitions

TU-AIS All "1" in the entire TU incl.. TU pointer

TU-LOP 8 to 10 NDF enable or 8 to 10 invalid pointers

LP-UNEQ VC-3: C2 = all "0" for > = 5 frames;

VC-12: V5 (bits 5,6,7) = 000 for > = 5 frames
LP-TIM VC-3: J1 mismatch; VC-12: J2 mismatch
LP-PLM VC-3: C2 mismatch; VC-12: V5 (bits 5,6,7) mismatch
BIP-2 Err Mismatch of the recovered and computed BIP-2 (V5)
LP-RDI V5 (bit 8) = 1, if TU-2 path AIS or signal failure received
LP-REI V5 (bit 3) = 1, if > = 1 errors were detected by BIP-2
LP-RFI V5 (bit 4) = 1, if a failure is declared
 Maintenance Signal Definitions

Abbreviations

AU Administration unit RFI Remote failure indication

HP Higher order path PLM Payload label mismatch
LOF Loss of frame TIM Trace identifier mismatch
LOM Loss of multiframe TU Tributary unit
LOP Loss of pointer UNEQ Unequipped
LOS Loss of signal VC Virtual container
LP Lower order path
OOF Out of frame RDI P RDI payload defect (enhanced RDI)
REI Remote error indication (FEBE) RDI S RDI server defect (enhanced RDI)
RDI Remote defect indication (FERF) RDI C RDI connectivity defect (enhanced RDI)
Higher SDH Bit rates
STM-1 #1 11111 STM-4

STM-1 #2 22222
12341234123412 . . . .
STM-1 #3 33333

STM-1 #4 44444

B1 B1
B2 B2
termination new

The STM-4/16 frame structure is obtained by byte-interleaved

multiplexing of the STM-1 frames.

Clock offset at the tributary side is taken into consideration by

pointer adaptation on the STM-n output signal.
STM-4 Frame Structure
STM-4 SOH
36 bytes (4 x 9 bytes Payload

A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 J0 Z0 Z0 Z0 X X X X X X X X

B1 E1 F1 X X X X X X X X X X X X

D1 D2 D3 X

A U Pointers
B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 K1 K2

D4 D5 D5

D7 D8 D9

D D D
10 11 12

S1 M1 E2 X X X X X X X X X X X X
SDH Network Elements

Terminal Multiplexer

PDH & Applications:

STM-m STM-n Point-to-Point
Tributaries Transmission Systems
m<n (STM-1, STM-4, STM-16)

SDH Repeater

Applications:
STM-n STM-n
Line Signal Regeneration
in Point-to-Point and Ring
Networks
 Synchronous Cross-Connect
2.4 Gbit/s 16x 2.4 Gbit/s
SDH
16x
Multiplexer
622 Mbit/s 4x 622 Mbit/s
4x
155 Mbit/s
155 Mbit/s 155 Mbit/s
155
VC4
34 Mbit/s 34 Mbit/s
34 2 VC12 2
2 VC12 2 34
140 2 VC12 2
2 VC12 2 140
140 Mbit/s 140 Mbit/s

140 VC4
VC 4
140 Mbit/s VC4 140 140 Mbit/s
VC 3
34
VC 12 VC3
34 (45) Mbit/s VC3 34 (45) Mbit/s
VC12
VC11

2 (1.5) Mbit/s VC12

2 2 (1.5) Mbit/s
DS3
DS1 DS1
OC-N
Digital
DS1 W-DCS
Cross-Connect
DS3 DS1 and floating VT1.5
OC-N
Systems (DCS)
DS1
Common Unit
Synch. I/F Op.Controller Backup Mem.

Wideband Digital Cross-Connect System

DS3 OC-N
B-DCS

DS3, STS-1 and STS-Nc

DS3 OC-N
Common Unit
Synch. I/F Op.Controller Backup Mem.

Broadband Digital Cross-Connect System

Add Drop Multiplexer

ADM
WEST EAST

STM-1/4 STM-1/4

......

Tributary Ports : n x 2 Mbps (34 Mbps)

 Hybrid Networks Connect Old
and New Technologies
140Mbit/s STM-1
TM
2Mbit/s

ADM

STM-1, STM-4

140Mbit/s
2Mbit/s ADM STM-4/-16 ADM
34Mbit/s
ATM 34Mbit/s
Switch STM-1 8Mbit/s2Mbit/s

DXC
LAN

2Mbit/s
ADM : Add Drop Multiplexer STM-1 / STS-3c Gateway to SONET
34Mbit/s
DXC : Digital Cross Connect SDH
140Mbit/s
TM : Terminal Multiplexer
STM-1
STM-4
Network Management
Basic tasks of network management

Administrative functions:

Operation: Network supervising (anomalies, defects)

Network linking (reserve links, additional links)

Maintenance: Identifying and elimination of impairments

Planning and
commissioning: Network configuration

Operative functions: Supervision of network functions

Repair
Installation
Self test
 Synchronization of SDH
Network Elements
SDH Network Element

Internal
155 Mbit/s Oscillator 2 Mbit/s
Data Signal Data Signal
± 4.6 ppm

Osc.

Synchronous
SDH Signal

2 048 kHz
Central Clock
SDH Benefits
Reduced equipment costs
multi vendor compatibility

Lower maintenance costs

built-in defect and anomaly monitoring

Future proof equipment

SDH is the physical layer for BISDN
Efficient drop / insert facilities
ADM (add&drop multiplexers), DXC (digital cross connectors)

TMN capabilities
Built-in DCN (data communication. network), DCC/ECC

More flexibility in provision of services

adding transmission capacity by routing on demand
 Future Trends
WDM Systems
Current Systems : 4, 8, 16 x OC-48 (MCI, Sprint)

Pirelli : WaveMux 3200

32 x OC-48 channels
80Gbit/s over 1200km

Ciena : 40 x OC-48 channels

100Gbit/s over 600km
There may not be a near term need, but this is the direction
that networking will take next for 3 or 4 years.
Ryan, Hunkin, Kent Consulting '96