TimeHub 5500
Building Integrated Timing Supply (BITS) for high QoS delivery of NGN applications and content over carrier-grade networks
Designed to meet synchronization requirements for today’s demanding video and data applications, Symmetricom’s TimeHub 5500 is the next generation BITS. It is a modular, fully redundant timing distribution system that tracks incoming timing references and qualifies the signals against network timing standards. It then filters and distributes precise timing to all equipment in the central office. Already deployed as the workhorse for major fiber deployments in North America, the TimeHub 5500 is the platform of choice for delivery of carrier class Network Timing Protocol required to assure high QoS delivery of NGN applications and content.
The Time Hub 5500 system offers packet synchronization technologies positioning it as a key element in the Symmetricom synchronization distribution architecture (SDA) for LTE networks—supplying PTP sync for the LTE macro and metro base stations as well as carrier-grade NTP sync for residential and enterprise small cells.
Output Capacity
The TimeHub main shelf provides up to 160 1+1 protected outputs. If more outputs are required, up to four expansion shelves can be connected to the main shelf, increasing the capacity to over 1,400 fully protected 1+1 ports per system.
Accuracy, Protection and Scalability for NGN Applications
TimeHub 5500 carrier grade NTP cards provide unsurpassed accuracy, protection, and scalability to drive NGN applications. Using advanced hardware-based time stamping to provide 10-nanosecond accuracy, the TimeHub 5500 provides accuracy orders of magnitude better than enterprise class NTP servers.
The flexible architecture allows for 1:1 protected NTP cards to be installed in any open main or expansion shelf output slot. NTP cards are locked to the TimeHub master clock, taking full advantage of PRS traceability, and redundant holdover protection.
With high-performance IEEE 1588-2008 PTP grandmaster server cards, the TimeHub 5500 platform delivers carrier-grade PTP to meet demanding NGN packet timing requirements. IEEE 1588 Blades for the TimeHub 5500 provide the performance, scale, availability and security to deliver carrier-grade synchronization to remote PTP clients in wireless base stations or remote terminals over Ethernet networks.
Symmetricom’s IEEE 1588 Blades are fully integrated into the TimeHub 5500 system. These cards can be installed as single servers or redundant pairs in any available master or expansion shelf output slot. PTP capacity scales up at a rate of up to 125 full rate clients per card. Front-access IEEE 1588 traffic ports utilize Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) modules for flexibility to support 100 Base-T electrical or 1000 Base-X optical or electrical interfaces. All configuration and management is consolidated through TimeHub 5500 system management ports to maintain security and isolation from IEEE 1588 ports. The PTP card supports IPv6 addressing as well as IPv4.
Massively Scalable For High Capacity Applications
Each dual port NTP card supports up to 1500 transactions per second for high capacity loading applications. The system scales up for mass deployment scenarios with an additional 1500 NTP transaction per second for each additional NTP card.
Input And Clock Cards
The Input and Clock functions are combined in a single card with a highly stable clock engine. Each card accepts four DS1 inputs and one selectable 5 or 10 MHz input, plus four additional DS1 inputs for monitoring purposes only. The cards are available in either rubidium or quartz versions. The Stratum 2 and Stratum 3E clocks exceed the minimum specification requirements during holdover.
Integration with Legacy Equipment
To ensure that legacy BITS meet carrier grade standards for reliability and compatibility with existing central office equipment, TimeHub 5500 delivers the ability to monitor multiple inputs and conduct performance measurement of existing local and remote BITS or any DS1 line. Up to eight DS1 and one 5 or 10 MHz inputs can be monitored simultaneously and their results sent to the NOC.
Smartclock Technology Delivers Superior Synchronization and Timing
Using intelligent firmware algorithms, SmartClock “learns” the effects of aging and temperature on the clock while it is locked to the reference signal and stores this information. When the incoming reference signals are lost or disqualified, SmartClock uses the stored data to compensate for frequency changes during holdover. The system will continue to distribute highly stable synchronization signals while predicting and correcting the behavior of the oscillators until input reference signals are restored.
Protected Outputs For Uninterrupted Service
TimeHub 1+1 is a truly hitless protection scheme in which both output cards remain active. If a card fails or is removed, the mate card is already providing a signal to the network elements. No time is lost waiting for a stand-by card to recognize a failure before it becomes active. The result is a clean, hitless timing signal no other protection scheme can offer.
Management and Alarm Collection
As an intelligent network element, TimeHub provides full visibility and manageability of all input and output ports and all cards on the main and expansion shelves. System parameters can be modified and controlled through any of its multiple interfaces—serial and Ethernet.
Symmetricom Global Services
Symmetricom® provides synchronization services that assist customers with the planning, deployment and maintenance of synchronization infrastructure. Services are designed to help lower costs, streamline processes, ensure quality, and deliver the highest level of performance from your synchronization network.
Application Notes
TELUS Synchronization Network Evolution Customer Case Study (PDF)
How NTP Impacts the New Telecom (PDF)
White Papers
5 Essential Elements of Carrier Class NTP (PDF)
Sync-E Information
Sync-E Information Kit
