SynchronizationDistributionArchitectures

forLTENetworks

JimOlsen
April2013

ConfidentialCopyright2012

Agenda
Introduction:TheBasicProblem
Synchronization,StandardsandRequirements
SynchronizationDistributionArchitecturesforLTE

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TheBasicProblem

HowshouldIsynchronizemyLTEnetworks?
Theanswerisdrivenbyservicedeliverynetworkfundamentals:
SelectionofLTEtechnology(LTEFDD,LTETDD,LTEAdvanced)
drivesthesynchronizationrequirements
Mobilenetworkequipmentselectionandcellsitelocations
(particularlyforsmallcells)definewhatcanandcannotbedone
Backhaulnetworktechnologies,topologyandperformancedrive
decisionsforsyncequipmentselectionanddeploymentlocations

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TheLTESynchronizationSolution

Onesolutiondoesnotfiteveryscenario.
SelectionofLTEtechnology(LTEFDD,LTETDD,LTEAdvanced)
drivesdifferentsynchronizationrequirements
Cellsitelocationsandmobilenetworkequipmentselectiondefine
whatcanandcannotbedone(particularlyforsmallcells)
Backhaulnetworktechnologies,topologyandperformancedrive
decisionsforsyncequipmentselectionanddeploymentlocations

NewEdgeMasterClocks,deployednearthenetworkedge,
enableavarietyofsynchronizationdistributionarchitectures
foravarietyofnetworkscenarios
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Synchronization,StandardsandRequirements

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Frequency,PhaseandTimeSynchronization
Frequency Synchronization
TA=1/fA

t
TB=1/fB

Leadingedgeofthe
pulsesareatsame
pace,butnotatthe
identicalmoment.

fA=fB
Phase Synchronization
TA=1/fA

Leadingedgeof
thepulsesareat
identicalmoment.

t
TB=1/fB

fA=fB
Time Synchronization
TA=1/fA

t
TB=1/fB

fA=fB

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Leadingedgeof
thepulsesareat
theidentical
momentand
identicaltime.

WhyisSynchronizationRequired?
Application

WhyYouNeedto
Comply

Impactof
Noncompliance

LTEFDD

CallInitiation

CallInterference
Droppedcalls

LTETDD

Timeslotalignment

Packet loss/collisions
Spectralefficiency

LTEAMBSFN

Proper time alignment

of videosignaldecoding
frommultipleBTSs

Video broadcast
interruption

LTEAMIMO/COMP

Coordinationofsignals
to/frommultiple
basestations

Poorsignalquality
atedgeofcells,LBS
accuracy

LTEAeICIC

Interferencecoordination

Spectralinefficiency&
Servicedegradation

Needsand
Impactsare
cumulative:
plusallofthe
above

InvestmentinsmallcellsandLTEnetworksismadetoincrease
capacityandcoverage.Whensynchronizationfails,both
objectivesarelost.Andtheimpactisfeltbyyourcustomers!
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StructureofITUTRecommendations
Definitions /
Terminology

Basic Aspects

G.8260: Definitions and Terminology for

Synchronization in Packet Networks

Frequency

Time/Phase

G.8261: Timing and Synchronization Aspects in Packet

Networks (Frequency)

Network
Requirements

G.8271: Time and Phase Synchronization Aspects in

Packet Networks

G.8261.1: PDV Network Limits Applicable to PacketBased Methods (Frequency)

G.8271.1: Network Requirements for Time/Phase

G.8261.2: Reserved for future use

G.8271.2: Reserved for future use

G.8262: Timing Characteristics of a Synchronous

Ethernet Equipment Slave Clock (EEC)

G.8272: PRTC (Primary Reference Time Clock)

Performance

G.8263: Timing Characteristics of Packet-Based

Equipment Clocks (PEC)

G.8273: Packet-Based Equipment Clocks for

Time/Phase: Framework

Clocks

G.8273.1: Telecom Grandmaster (T-GM)

G.8273.2: Telecom Boundary Clock (T-BC)
G.8273.3: Telecom Transparent Clock (T-TC)
G.8273.4: Telecom Time Slave Clock (T-TSC)

Methods

Profiles

G.8264: Distribution of Timing Information through

Packet Networks

G.8274: Reserved for future use

G.8265: Architecture and Requirements for PacketBased Frequency Delivery

G.8275: Architecture and Requirements for

Packet-Based Time and Phase Delivery

G.8265.1: Precision Time Protocol Telecom

Profile for Frequency Synchronization

G.8275.1: PTP Profile for Time and Phase

Synchronization (full timing support)
G.8275.2: PTP Profile for Time and Phase
Synchronization (partial timing support)

G.8265.2 PTP Telecom Profile for Frequency #2

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agreed

ongoing

options

New!
8

LTESynchronizationRequirements

Application
LTE FDD
LTE TDD
LTEMBMS
(LTEFDD&LTETDD)

LTE Advanced

Frequency

Phase

Note

16ppb/50ppb

NA

sameas2Gand 3G

16ppb/50ppb

1.5s
5s

3kmcellradius
>3kmcellradius

16ppb/50ppb

10s

intercelltimedifference

16ppb/50ppb

1.5sto 5s

Indiscussionbymembers
ofthe3GPP

Network/Air

New 1.5sto 5sphasetimingrequirements

requirenewsynchronizationdistributionarchitectures
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SynchronizationDistributionArchitectures
forLTENetworks

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3Guidelines
1.Useanindependentsourceforsync
Bestinclasssolutions
Efficientoperationinamultivendornetwork

2.Protectyoursyncforserviceassurance
GNSS,PTP&Stablefrequencysource
Highperformanceholdover

3.DeployPTPGrandmasterwherethenetworkneedsitforaccuracy
Backhaulsupportsaccuracy:allowsdeploymentclosertothecore
Noisy,highPDVnetwork:requiresdeploymentatorneartheedge
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4BasicNetworkScenarios
1.LTEfrequency,managedEthernetbackhaul
Consistent,lowPDV,knownbackhaulperformance

2.LTEfrequency,highPDV,noisybackhaul
Diversetransporttechnologies,3rd Parties,manyhops

3.LTEphase,retrofittedornewEthernetbackhaul
SyncEandBoundaryClocksineverynetworkelement

4.LTEphase,existingbackhaul,possiblyhighPDV,noisy
NoBC,possiblynoSyncE,diversetransport,3rd party
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1.FrequencySynchronization:
G.8265.1BasicArchitecture
ManagedEthernetbackhaul
consistent,knownperformance,lowpacketdelayvariation
CORE

AGGREGATION

ACCESS

Rb

PTPGM

MacroeNodeB

SmallCell
Aggregation

PTPGM

MetroSmallCells

CentraldeploymentofhighcapacityPTPgrandmaster
Commondeploymentmodeltoday:100sofnetworksworldwide
PDVmitigatedbyQoSforPTPflowandlimitingnumberofhops
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1.FrequencySynchronization:
G.8265.1BasicArchitecture
ManagedEthernetbackhaul
consistent,knownperformance,lowpacketdelayvariation
SynchronizationDistributionArchitecture

Pros

Syncequipmentanddeployment

Fullyprotectedsynchronization
Proveninnetworksworldwide
Fullystandardsbased

Macroagg.site:highcapacityPTPgrandmaster,
redundantequip.configurationandnetwork
protected
MacroeNodeB:highqualityPTPclient&high
qualityrubidiumoscillatorforholdover
Metrosmallcell:highqualityPTPclient(softGPS)

PTPdelivery:engineeredQoS/CoS orEVC/VPN,
shortestpath
PTPprofile:G.8265.1,layer3,unicast
1or2stepclock

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2.FrequencySynchronization:
G.8265.1EdgeArchitecture
Uncertainperformance,noisybackhaul
Multipletechnologies,manyhops/paths,highpacketdelay
variation,3rd partyaccessvendors,etc.
CORE

AGGREGATION

ACCESS

HighPDV/3rd Party
EdgeGM

PTPGM
Microwave
MacroeNodeB

PON
ONU

PTPGM

DSLAM

DSL

modem

EdgeGM

SmallCell
Agg.
MetroSmallCells

SetfrequencywithPTPorGNSS
HoldfrequencywithPTPorGNSS

G.8265.1profile

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2.FrequencySynchronization:
G.8265.1EdgeArchitecture
Uncertainperformance,noisybackhaul
Multipletechnologies,manyhops/paths,highpacketdelay
variation,3rd partyaccessvendors,etc.
SynchronizationDistributionArchitecture

Pros

Syncequipmentanddeployment

Fullyprotectedsynchronization
Mobilenetworksyncisunaffected
bybackhaultechnologyorquality
Proventechnology,fullystandards
based

Macroagg.site:highcapacityPTPgrandmaster,
redundantequip.configurationandnetwork
protected
MacroeNodeBandsmallcellaggregationsites:
edgePTPgrandmasterwithGPS
MetroSmallCell:PTPclient(withpossibleGPS
assistenhancement)

PTPdelivery:engineeredQoS/CoS orEVC/VPN,
shortestpath
PTPprofile:G.8265.1,layer3,unicast
1or2stepclock
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TimetransferisimpactedbyNetworkAsymmetry
Static(Physical)andNetworkLoadingAsymmetry
Keyphaserequirements networkasymmetryimpactsphaseandtime,not
frequency

Why:PTPprotocolisassumingthatOWD=RTD/2 neverthecase!
Static(physical)networkasymmetry
Mostnetworkscontainseveralasymmetries(withoutanyload)
- Transmissionspeedasymmetry(PECM@1GBPS,PECS@100MBPS~3sasymmetry)
- CablelengthasymmetrybetweenULandDL(hopbyhop)~1.3ns/ft(mediadependant,seevelocityof
propagationorVOP)
- VOPofdifferent onafiberfeed(hopbyhop)
- Modulation/bloc/FECencoding(MW,MMW,xDSL)asymmetry(whennotretraining)
- PHYandportasymmetryonaswitch/SFPSFP+asymmetry 65nsto220nsrange(2perhop)
- TransmissionprotocolasymmetrybetweenPECMandPECS(VLANtagstrippedbyaswitch,oneQin
Qtagstripped,..)

Dynamic,Networkloadingasymmetrythatvarieswithtrafficcanberemovedup
to95%,dependingonqualityofclient
PseudoDynamic,changesoveralongperiodoftime,rerouting,networkfailures
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3.PhaseSynchronization:
G.8275.1FullOnPathSupport
Retrofitexistingequip.orbuildnewnetwork
ManagedEthernet,synchronousEthernet,boundaryclocks
CORE

AGGREGATION

SyncE
PTPGM

SyncE
PTPGM

ACCESS

BC

BC

SyncE

SyncE

BC

BC

SyncE

SyncE

BC

BC

BC

BC

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

Rb

MacroeNodeB

BC
BC

BC

BC

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

SmallCell
Aggregation

MetroSmallCells

Rebuildtoincludeboundaryclocksineverynetworkelement
PossiblyreviseMPLSnetworkdesignpractices
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3.PhaseSynchronization:
G.8275.1FullOnPathSupport
Retrofitexistingequip.orbuildnewnetwork
ManagedEthernet,synchronousEthernet,boundaryclocks
SynchronizationDistributionArchitecture

Cautions

Syncequipmentanddeployment

Asymmetrymayrequirehopbyhop,

PTPdelivery:

pathforstability
BoundaryClockinalltransmission
networkelements

manualadjustmentstotimeoffset
Macroagg.site:highcapacityPTPgrandmaster,
QualityofPTPclientaffects
SyncE,redundantequip.configurationand
networkprotected
performance
Everynetworkelement:SyncEandBoundary
NoupgradepathfromG.8265.1
Clock
frequencyarchitecture
MacroeNodeB:PTPclient&highqualityrubidium
oscillatorforholdover
DesignRules
MetroSmallCell:highqualityPTPclient(with
SyncEthroughentiretransmission
possibleGPSassistenhancement)
SyncEandBoundaryClocks

PTPprofile:preG.8275.1,layer2multicast
1stepclock
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G.8275.1DoesNotFitAllNetworks
BoundaryClockseverywhereisnotalwaysviable
Manynetworksarenotsuitable:diversetransporttechnologies,3rd party
backhaul,manyEthernetpathsandasymmetry,PON,bondedDSLand
VDSL2+,WiFi,weakPTPclients
Majorretrofitorreplacementofexistingnetworks.Notfinanciallyfeasible.
Manualhopbyhoptuningrequiredonsomelinks
BoundaryClockineverynetworkelement

PTPGM

BC

BC

BC

BC

BC

BC

BC

BC

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

SyncE

PTP
Slave

eNodeB

GNSSeverywhereisanalternative,but:
Vulnerable,needsbackup
Notfeasibleformanydeploymentsparticularlysmallcells
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4.PhaseSynchronization:
G.8275.2PartialOnPathSupportorEdgeGM
Existingbackhaul,diversetechand/ornoisy
Multipletechnologies,manyhops/paths,highPDV,3rd party,etc.
CORE

AGGREGATION

ACCESS
EdgeBC

PTPGM
MacroeNodeB
HighPDV/3rd Party
EdgeMaster
Clock
Microwave
SmallCell
Agg.

PTPGM

MetroSmallCells

Providepartialonpathsupportwithadvancedboundaryclock
DeployPTPgrandmasteratorneartheedge
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G.8275.2:anewprofileforphase

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4.PhaseSynchronization:
G.8275.2PartialOnPathSupportorEdgeGM
Existingbackhaul,diversetechand/ornoisy
Multipletechnologies,manyhops/paths,highPDV,3rd party,etc.
SynchronizationDistributionArchitecture

Pros

Syncequipmentanddeployment

Savesdeployingmasteratthecell
site
Nonetworkretrofit:mobile
networksyncisunaffectedby
backhaultechnologyorquality
Asymmetrymitigation
Proventechnology,standards
based

Macroagg.site:highcapacityPTPgrandmaster,
redundantequip.configurationandnetworkprotected
Accessnetworksite:PTPmaster/BCwithGPS/GNSS
Smallcellaggregationsites:edgePTPgrandmasterwith
GNSS/GPS
MacroeNodeB:highqualityPTPclient&highquality
rubidiumoscillatorforholdover
MetroSmallCell:highqualityPTPclient(withpossible
GPSassistenhancement)

PTPdelivery:engineeredQoS/CoS orEVC/VPN,
shortestpath
PTPprofile:pre8275.2(G.8265.1profile),layer3
unicast
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1or2stepclock

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AdvantagesoftheG.8275.2Architecture
Costeffectivealternative:
deployaPTPmasteratorneartheedge
EdgeMaster
Clock
PTPGM

Nochangeinnetworkhardware
OperatedoverexistingMPLS/CE
network
PreservesMPLSvalueproposition

Nochangetobackofficeengineering
andoperationsprocesses
Mitigatesasymmetryasanissue
SyncnotdependentonembeddedNE
QualityofBCdesignnotanissue

Leveragesexistinginvestmentmade
inGPSateNodeBsites
CanleverageexistingPTPGM
deployments
CanleverageexistingGPSateNodeB
Complianttoexistingsyncstandards
compatiblewithG.8265.1profile

SimpleandeasytodeployforallLTE
architectures

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AutomaticPathAsymmetryCorrection
AutomaticPathAsymmetry
Correctionalgorithmsupplies
externalcorrectionfactoras
definedinIEEE1588
standard.
Algorithmlearnspath
asymmetriestothenorth
boundmasterevenwhile
systemmayusingGNSSasthe
primaryclocksource.
IntheeventofaGNSSfailure,
thesystemwilloperaterevert
tousingAsymmetrycorrected
PTP.
Featureavailablewiththe
TimeProvider2700PTPInput
SWLicense.
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Customernetworktestenvironment

Path Re-arrangement (Ring Topology

RED:PPS
BLUE:PPS
performance performancewith
withoutasymmetry asymmetry
correction.
correction.
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G.8275.2ProfileforTimeandPhase
ThisarchitecturehasbeenproposedtotheATIS/ITU
standardsbodies:
anewprofiletosupporttimeandphasedistributionover
existingdeployednetworkscompatiblewiththePTPprofile
forfrequencydistributiondefinedinG.8265.1
Contributionsubmittedby:Symmetricom,AT&T,Verizon,
SprintNextel,andTMobileUSA

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QualityofthePTPClientAffectsPerformance
Symmetricomclients,G.8261
testcases
Frequencyperformance:
MTIEbeneaththemask
(G.8261SECmask)
Phaseperformancetests:
consistentlyunder500ns

Consistencyoftheclients
Differencesinvendor
implementationsyielddifferent
results

Advancedalgorithms,highquality
oscillator,designimplementation
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ResidentialandEnterpriseIndoorSmallCells
Wirelinenetworkbackhaul
DSL,PON,Cable,MetroEthernet
WIRELINEACCESSNETWORK

INTEROFFICEFACILITIES

PON
ONU

NTPServer
PTPGM

DSL
modem

DSLAM

Cable
CMTS

modem

NTPServer
PTPGM

SynchronizationDistributionArchitecture
Syncequipmentanddeployment
Core:highcapacity, carriergradeNTPserver(orPTPgrandmaster);
redundantequip.configurationandnetworkprotected
Highqualityembeddedclientsinthesmallcell;withorwithoutGPSassist
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Summary
LTEtechnologiesdrivenewrequirementsforsynchronization
Time/Phase

Backhaulnetworktechnologies,topologyandperformance
drivesynchronizationequipmentanddeploymentdecisions
Emergingboundaryclockbasedsolutionswillworkforsome
scenariosbutnotall
GNSS(GPS)requiresbackupandisnotfeasibleforsome
deploymentscenarios,especiallysmallcells
AnalternativearchitecturethatplacesaPTPmasterator
neartheedgeisthesolutionformanyofthesesituations
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ThankYou.

SynchronizationDistributionArchitecturesforLTENetworks

JimOlsen
Jolsen@symmetricom.com
5126565371

Symmetricom,Inc.
2300OrchardParkway
SanJose,CA951311017
Tel:+14084287907
Fax:+14084286960

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www.symmetricom.com

29

AdditionalSlideMaterial

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LTEBaseStations
2,500,000

MetroSmallCells
250mWto5W
(cumulativeunits)

LTEMacroStations
(cumulativeunits)

2,000,000

1,500,000
TDDLTE
FDDLTE

1,000,000

500,000

Source:EJL

2011A

1,200,000

2012E

2013E

2014E

2015E

MetroSmallCells
5Wto10W
(cumulativeunits)

1,000,000
800,000

TDDLTE

600,000

FDDLTE
400,000
200,000

Source:EJL

2011A

2012E

2013E

2014E

2015E

Source:HeavyReading

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LTESynchronizationRequirements
Application
LTE FDD
LTE TDD
LTEMBMS
(LTEFDD&LTETDD)

LTE Advanced

Frequency

Phase

Note

16ppb/50ppb

NA

sameas2Gand 3G

16ppb/50ppb

1.5s
5s

3kmcellradius
>3kmcellradius

16ppb/50ppb

10s

intercelltimedifference

16ppb/50ppb

1.5to 5s

see tablebelowfordetail

Network/Air

Frequencyrequirementsforearliergenerationsaresameasabove.GSM,UMTS,WCDMAdonothaveaphaserequirement.
CDMA2000phaserequirementis 3to10s.TDSCDMAphaserequirementis1.5s.
Smallcell/femtocells (UMTS,LTEFDD)requirefrequencyperformanceof100250ppbfortheairinterface.

LTEAdvanced

TypeofCoordination

Phase

eICIC

enhancedIntercellInterferenceCoordination

1.5to 5s

ULcoordinatedscheduling
CoMP
Moderatetotight DLcoordinatedscheduling
DLcoordinatedbeamforming
DLnoncoherentjointtransmission
CoMP
ULjointprocessing
Verytight
ULselectioncombining
ULjointreception
Note:Intercellcoordinationtimesarerequirementfordistributedtimeaccuracy.
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5s
5s
1.5s
5s
1.5s
1.5s
1.5s

LTEAcoversmultiple
techniquesratherthana
singletechnology.
Notallfeatureswill
deployedeverywhere,
leadingtodifferencesinreal
worldrequirements.
Figuresarestillindiscussion
bymembersofthe3GPP.
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InterCellInterferenceCoordination
eICIC = enhanced Inter-cell Interference Coordination
Subframes reserved for macro

Blank subframes

Macro
DL
Pico
DL
Subframes reserved for Pico
Time Domain Resources

Subframes reserved for macro

Adaptive subframes
For Macro or Pico

Macro
DL
Pico
DL
Subframes reserved for Pico

R8ICICdefinesalimitedone
dimensionalfrequencybased
interferencemanagementfor
macronodes
R10eICICintroducescontrolin
theHetNetonthethree
dimensionsofpower,phase,and
frequency
LTEAcanalsousemodifiedX2
adaptiveresourcepartitioningin
aTDDenvironmentalso
(requiresprecisetime&phase
synchronization)

Time Domain Resources

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SettingandHolding
Twoaspectsofsynchronization

Frequency
Deliverandset
frequency

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Hold
frequency

Phase
Deliverandset
phase

Hold
phase

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TypicalAttributesofHetNet Cells

MacroCell

Metro
SmallCell

Enterprise
SmallCell

Home
SmallCell

>256

128

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Typicalcoverage

Fewmiles

<300m

<100m

<30m

Deployment

Outdoor

Outdoor/
Indoor

Indoor

Indoor

Urban
residential,
Rural

Hotspot,
Denseurban,
Airport,
Stadium

Office,
SME

Home,
Apartment

Open

Open

Closedor
Open

Closedor
Open

Maxumberofusers

Examplescenarios

Accessmode

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NextGenerationMobileNetworkForum

LTEBackhaulSyncDistributionRequirements
Requirement36:
TheNGMNBackhaulsolutionMUSTsupportclockdistributiontotheeNBfor
frequencysynchronizationandSHOULDsupportphase/timealignment(foreNB
withTDDmodeofoperationandforeNBsupportingMBMSSFN).

Note:Severalmethodshavebeenconsideredforsynchronizationasasingle
solutionorcombinedtogether
Physicalmethods(e.g.SynchronousEthernet)
Longtermstableoscillator(e.g Rubidium)
Protocolbasedmethods(e.g.NTP,IEEE1588v2)with/withoutintermediatenode
support
GNSS(e.g.GPS,Galileo,GLONASS,Beidou)

Requirement37:
TheeNB/aGW TransportModulesSHOULDsupportmulticlocksourceinputfor
synchronization,andbeabletorecoverthesynchronizationfromthemost
accuratesourceavailableatanygiventimeaccordingtothesynchronization
hierarchydefinedforfailureprotection.
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