Synchronous Ethernet | Junos OS - Juniper Networks

Synchronous Ethernet (ITU-T G.8261 and ITU-T G.8264) is a physical layer technology that functions regardless of the network load and supports hop-by-hop frequency transfer, where all interfaces on the trail must support Synchronous Ethernet. It enables you to deliver synchronization services that meet the requirements of the present-day mobile network, as well as future Long Term Evolution (LTE)–based infrastructures.

Synchronization is a key requirement for circuit (emulation) services and mobile radio access technologies. Traditionally, mobile networks used SONET/SDH technologies to backhaul voice and data traffic, and the native support for frequency of SONET/SDH to synchronize their radio network. With the need for greater-capacity backhaul networks, packet-based technologies such as Carrier Ethernet (which do not support the transfer of frequency) and wireless technologies such as frequency division duplex and time-division duplex require not only frequency synchronization but also proper time and phase alignment. This requirement is fulfilled by Synchronous Ethernet, which is used for physical layer frequency synchronization of connected access devices (such as base stations, access nodes, and so on). Synchronous Ethernet supports sourcing and transfer of frequency for synchronization purposes for both wireless and wireline services and is primarily used for mobile backhaul and converged transport.

Synchronous Ethernet is used to transfer clock signals over Ethernet interfaces. The Synchronous Ethernet operation is described in three ITU recommendations:

• G.8261—Defines the architecture and wander performance of Synchronous Ethernet networks.

• G.8262—Specifies timing characteristics of synchronous Ethernet equipment clock (EEC).

• G.8264—Describes the Ethernet Synchronization Message Channel (ESMC).