Agilent 37717C PDH / DSn Operating Manual

HP 37717C
Communications
Performance Analyzer

PDH / DSn
Operating Manual

 Copyright Hewlett­Packard Ltd.1997

All rights reserved.
Reproduction, adaption,
or translation without prior
written permission is
prohibited, except as
allowed under the
copyright laws.

Information in this
document may apply to
modules which use the
VxWORKS TM software.
The VxWORKS TM
software was developed by
Wind River Systems, Inc.,
which has copyright to it.

HP Part No. 37717-90283

First edition, September 97

Printed in U.K.

Warranty

The information contained
in this document is subject
to change without notice.

Hewlett-Packard mak es no
warranty of any kind with
regard to this material,
including, but not limited
to, the implied warranties
or merchantability and
fitness for a particular
purpose.

Hewlett-Packard shall not
be liable for errors
contained herein or for
incidental or
consequential damages in
connection with the
furnishing, performance,
or use of this material.

WARNING

Warning Symbols Used
on the Product

!

The product is marked
with this symbol when the
user should refer to the
instruction manual in order
to protect the apparatus
against damage.

The product is marked
with this symbol to
indicate that hazardous
voltages are present

The product is marked
with this symbol to
indicate that a laser is
fitted. The user should
refer to the laser safety
information in the
Calibration Manual.

Hewlett-Packard Limited
Communications Measurements Division
South Queensferry
West Lothian, Scotland EH30 9TG

PDH / DSn Operating Manual

HP 37717C Communications
Performance Analyzer

About This Book

The HP 37717C PDH /DSn Operating Manual explains the following:

• How to select and use the PDH / DSn features provided with the PDH /DSn

options

• How to make PDH / DSn measurements

For some operations and measurements, information from one of the following
associated books may be required:

“The HP 37717C Mainframe Operating Manual” explains how to obtain the
required display, how to use the front panel keys, how to interpret the status
indicators, how to connect to external equipment and how to perform instrument
tasks associated with the HP 37717C irrespective of the option configuration.

“The HP 37717C SDH / SONET Operating Manual” describes the selection of
SDH / SONET features and how to perform SDH / SONET tests with the HP
37717C Communications Performance Analyzer.

“The HP 37717C Jitter Operating Manual” describes the selection of Jitter
features and how to perform Jitter tests with the HP 37717C Communications
Performance Analyzer.

“The HP 37717C ATM and LAN Operating Manual” describes the selection of
ATM and LAN testing features and how to perform ATM and LAN tests with the
HP 37717C Communications Performance Analyzer.

iv

Contents

1 HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Introduction to PDH / DSn 2
Options With PDH / DSn Capability 3

Unstructured PDH Generation and Measurement. Option UKK (USB) 3
Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) and UKN (USE) 4
DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads. Option UKZ 5
E1, E3 and E4 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads. Option UKN (USE) 6
Binary Interfaces. Option UH3 (US7) 7
Multiple PDH Outputs. Option UHC (US6) 8

PDH / DSn Display Reference 9

Unstructured PDH Generation and Measurement. Option UKK (USB) 9
Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) or UKN (USE) 11
DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads.
Option UKZ 15
E1, E3 and E4 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads. Option UKN (USE) 19
Binary Interfaces. Option UH3 (US7) 22

2 PDH / DSn Testing With The HP 37717C

Alarm Monitoring 26
Analysis of N X 64 kb/s 29
BERT Testing 33
Cross Multiplexer Testing 38
FAS Monitoring 44
Frequency Measurement 48
Frequency Offset Tolerance 51
Multiplexer Testing 55
Round Trip Delay 60
M2100, M2110, M2120 Analysis 63
Monitoring DS3 with ATM Payloads 67

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Contents

vi

1

Introduction to PDH / DSn page 2
Options With PDH / DSn Capability page 3

Unstructured PDH Generation and Measurement. Option UKK (USB) page 3
Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) and UKN (USE) page 4
DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads. Option UKZ

page 5

E1, E3 and E4 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads. Option UKN (USE)

page 6

Binary Interfaces. Option UH3 (US7) page 7
Multiple PDH Outputs. Option UHC (US6) page 8

PDH / DSn Display Reference page 9

Unstructured PDH Generation and Measurement. Option UKK (USB) page 9
Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) or UKN (USE) page 11
DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads. Option UKZ

page 15

E1, E3 and E4 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads. Option UKN (USE)

page 19

Binary Interfaces. Option UH3 (US7) page 22

1 HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Information on the optional modules including
selection of the features available.

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Introduction to PDH / DSn

Introduction to PDH / DSn

The Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (PDH / DSn) is still the dominant technology
in most existing telecommunications networks throughout the world, although it is
being replaced in many networks by Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) or
SONET networks. PDH / DSn networks were developed at a time when point-to­point transmission was the predominant network requirement. To support this
requirement, the standard approach to network management and maintenance was to
use manual distribution frames for access to individual signals. This is now
considered out of date and consequently SDH / SONET is now the preferred
network topology for new installations.

However PDH / DSn networks will exist for a long time to come even in networks
where SDH /SONET is the preferred technology. PDH is the ETSI international
standard, based on 2 Mb/s, defined by the ITU-T, and covers the hierarchal
transmission rates of 2 Mb/s, 8 Mb/s, 34 Mb/s and 140 Mb/s. DSn is the ANSI
standard covering transmission rates of 1.544 Mb/s (DS1) and 44.736 Mb/s (DS3).
PDH is asynchronous at 8 Mb/s, 34 Mb/s and 140 Mb/s. In order to access a signal,
for rerouting or test purposes, the whole line signal structure must be demultiplexed
step by step down to the 2 Mb/s level, because of the asynchronous nature of the
multiplexing.

At each multiplexing step, the bit rate of the individual tributary signals is controlled
within specified limits and is not synchronized with the multiplex equipment.
Because the bit rates of the individual tributaries are controlled within specific limits
this type of multiplexing is referred to as Plesiochronous i.e. nearly synchronous.
The individual tributaries are synchronized with the equipment at each multiplex
step by the process of positive bit stuffing justification.

In new SDH / SONET networks, PDH / DSn signals are mapped into virtual
containers / tributaries before being transported as part of the SDH / SONET
payload. The SDH / SONET payload must then be demapped into a PDH / DSn
tributary signal.

Therefore all PDH / DSn, SDH / SONET and mixed PDH/SDH DSn / SONET
networks require test sets which have PDH / DSn interfaces and PDH / DSn test
capability.

2

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Options With PDH / DSn Capability

Options With PDH / DSn Capability

Unstructured PDH Generation and Measurement. Option UKK (USB)

Option UKK (USB), Unstructured PDH, provides generation and
measurement of unstructured PDH at interface rates of 704 kb/s, 2.048 Mb/
s, 8.448 Mb/s, 34.368 Mb/s and 139.264 Mb/s.

Allows the addition of Frequency Offset to the PDH signal
Provides 75 Ω unbalanced or 120 Ω balanced input and output interfaces.
Allows selection of PRBS, WORD or USER patterns
Allows selection of Line Code AMI, HDB3 or CMI
Provides an ECL pulse each time an error occurs (Error Out)

3

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) and
UKN (USE)

Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) and
UKN (USE)

Options UKJ (USA) and UKN (USE), provide generation and
measurement of Structured or Unstructured PDH at interface
rates of 2.048 Mb/s (E1), 8.448 Mb/s (E2), 34.368 Mb/s (E3)
and 139.264 Mb/s (E4).

Structured test signal rates of 64 kb/s, 2.048 Mb/s, 8.448 Mb/s
and 34.368 Mb/s are provided.

Frequency Offset can be added at the interface rates.
Line rate frequency can be measured.
Provides 75 Ω unbalanced or 120 Ω balanced input and output

interfaces.
Allows selection of PRBS, WORD or USER patterns

Option UKJ (USA)

Allows selection of Line Code AMI, HDB3 or CMI
Interface and test signal rates can be Framed or Unframed
MUX connector allows a 2 Mb/s signal from external equipment

to be inserted into the HP 37717C test signal.
DEMUX connector allows a 2 Mb/s signal from the HP 37717C

to be Dropped to external equipment.
Option UKN (USE) also provides generation and measurement

of PDH signals with ATM payloads. Option UKN (USE)
therefore provides all of the PDH facilities described here with
the additional facilities described on page 6.

Information on the ATM capabilities of the UKN (USE) module
is given in “The ATM Operating Manual”

4

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM
Payloads. Option UKZ

DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM
Payloads. Option UKZ

Option UKZ, provides generation and measurement of
PDH /DSn signals with ATM payloads at interface rates of:

1.544 Mb/s (DS1), 44.736 Mb/s (DS3),

2.048 Mb/s (E1), and 34.368 Mb/s (E3).
Frequency Offset can be added at the interface rates.
Line rate frequency can be measured.
Provides the following RZ input and output interfaces:

DS3 and E3: 75 Ω unbalanced
E1: 75 Ω unbalanced, 120 Ω balanced.
DS1: 100 Ω balanced.

Allows selection of Line Code as AMI, HDB3, B3ZS or
B8ZS

Provides Input sensitivity level selection.
Provides output level control for DS1 and DS3.
Allows error and alarm injection at the physical and ATM

layers.
Allows selection of PCLP or Direct mapping at DS3.

Information on the ATM capabilities of this module is given
in “The ATM Operating Manual”

5

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

E1, E3 and E4 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads.
Option UKN (USE)

E1, E3 and E4 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads.
Option UKN (USE)

Option UKN (USE) provides generation and measurement of PDH
signals with ATM payloads at rates of 2.048 (E1), 34.368 (E3) and

139.264 (E4) Mb/s.
Frequency Offset can be added at the interface rates.
Line rate frequency can be measured.
Provides the following input and output interfaces:
E1: RZ, 75 Ω unbalanced and 120 Ω balanced.
E3: RZ, 75 Ω unbalanced.
E4: CMI 75 Ω unbalanced.
Allows selection of E1 Line Code AMI, HDB3.
Allows selection of CRC-4 Multiframe at E1.

Information on the ATM capabilities of this module is given in “The
ATM Operating Manual”

6

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Binary Interfaces. Option UH3 (US7)

Binary Interfaces. Option UH3 (US7)

Option UH3 (US7) provides binary NRZ interfaces for the structured PDH module
option UKJ (USA), and the unstructured PDH module option UKK (USB).

The interfaces can operate at any of the standard rates ± 100 ppm.
When used with option UKK (USB), with an external binary clock input, the

interfaces can operate at any rate any rate in the range 700 kb/s to 170 Mb/s.
TTL signal levels, at data and clock ports, and external clock port, are valid from

700 kb/s to 50 Mb/s, 75Ω to ground.
ECL signals, at data and clock ports, and external clock port, are valid from 700 kb/

s to 170 Mb/s, 75Ω to -2V.
The external clock input may be used to clock coded data from the PDH / DSn

transmitter at standard rates. In addition if Option UKK (USB), Unstructured PDH,
is fitted can clock coded data in the range 700 kb/s to 170 Mb/s.

Simultaneous jitter of binary clock and binary data outputs is possible (2, 8, 34 &
140 Mb/s) if Option UHK (USB) or A3K, Jitter Generator, is fitted.

Jitter measurement on the binary clock input is possible (2, 8, 34 & 140 Mb/s ±;100
ppm) if Option UHN, A1M, A1N or A1P, Jitter Measurement, is fitted.

Frequency measurement of the external clock input and binary clock input is
provided.

7

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Multiple PDH Outputs. Option UHC (US6)

Multiple PDH Outputs. Option UHC (US6)

Option UHC (US6), Multiple PDH Outputs, provides three additional 75Ω PDH
outputs.

OUT 1 is delayed by 4 bits relative to the main PDH OUT.
OUT 2 is delayed by 8 bits relative to the main PDH OUT.
OUT 3 is delayed by 12 bits relative to the main PDH OUT.

NOTE: When used with Option UKZ, multiple outputs are available at the 2 and 34
Mb/s E1 and E3 rates.

8

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

PDH / DSn Display Reference

PDH / DSn Display Reference

Unstructured PDH Generation and Measurement. Option UKK
(USB)

A choice of 5 SIGNAL rates is av ailable.

The clock is normally synchronized to
an internal clock.

When 2 Mb/s is selected the clock
RECOVERED by the Receiver can be
used as the synchronization source.

FREQUENCY OFFSET can be added at
preset CCITT values or as User defined
values in the range ± 100 ppm.

The preset value will change according
to the PDH signal rate selected.

9

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Unstructured PDH Generation and Measurement. Option UKK (USB)

PATTERN allows a choice of PRBS and
WORD patterns.

Line CODE and TERMINATION can be
selected to match the requirements of
network equipment.

Errors of the type selected on the TEST
FUNCTION display can be added to the
PATTERN singly by pressing .

SINGLE

or at a selectable RATE.
TEST MODE allows Bit Error

measurements to be made with the
network equipment Out Of Service or
Frame error measurements to be made
with the network equipment In Service.

When In Service is selected the only
PATTERN available is LIVE TRAFFIC.

If 2 Mb/s is selected as the SIGNAL rate, a
choice of 2 Mb/s FRAMING type is
provided.

10

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) or
UKN (USE)

Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) or
UKN (USE)

A choice of four SIGNAL rates is
available.

The clock is synchronized to an internal
clock.

TERMINATION and Line CODE
selections should match the requirements
of the network equipment.

FREQUENCY OFFSET can be added at
preset CCITT values or as User defined
values in the range ± 100 ppm

The preset value will change according to
the PDH signal rate selected.

PAYLO AD TYPE determines whether the
PDH signal is Unframed (Unstructured),
Framed or Structured.

PATTERN allows a choice of PRBS and
WORD patterns.

PRBS POLARITY allows a choice
between Inverted (CCITT recommended)
and Normal.

11

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) or
UKN (USE)

If 2Mb/s SIGNAL rate is selected the
choice of Framing type is included in the
PAYLOAD TYPE menu.

If STRUCTURED is selected a new
display of is

STRUCTURED SETTINGS

obtained.
TEST SIGNAL allows a choice of rates

(sub interface rate) at which testing is
performed.

The example shown is for a 140 Mb/s main
signal rate.

If 2Mb/s TEST SIGNAL rate is selected
the choice of Framing type is included in
the 2M PAYLOAD menu.

The 2M PAYLOAD menu includes a
choice of INSERT 2Mb/s which allows an
external 2 Mb/s Test Signal, presented at
the MUX port, to be inserted into the
structured PDH signal.

The capability to DROP the 2 Mb/s Test
Signal to external equipment, via the
DEMUX connector, is provided on the

RECEIVE

SETTINGS

STRUCTURED

display 2M PAYLOAD

menu.

12

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) or
UKN (USE)

34Mb, 8Mb and 2Mb allow selection of
the tributary of interest.

PATTERN allows a choice of PRBS and
WORD patterns.

PRBS POLARITY allows a choice
between Inverted (CCITT recommended)
and Normal.

B/G PATTERN selection determines the
pattern inserted in the non test tributaries.

If Transmit and Receive TEST SIGNAL
64 kb/s is selected the 2 Mb/s Framing
choice is made from the 2M PAYLOAD
menu.

A telephone HANDSET can be connected
to the 64 kb/s channel and used to LISTEN
or TALK and LISTEN.

The B/G PATTERN in the non test 64 kb/s
channels is always NUMBERED.

When N X 64kb/s is selected a test pattern
can be inserted across a number of
Timeslots even if the selected Timeslots
are non contiguous.

The required Timeslots are selected using

DESELECT ALL DESELECT

SELECT

, and .

,,

In this example timeslots 3, 5, 9, 25, 26
and 27 are selected.

13

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

Structured PDH Generation and Measurement. Options UKJ (USA) or
UKN (USE)

If the receiver input is derived from the
network equipment monitor point then

SIGNAL IN

is pressed until the

MONITOR indicator is lit.
The received signal will be 20 to 30 dB

below the normal level. To return the
received signal to normal GAIN is
required at the receiver input.

The received signal may also require
equalization to compensate for cable
losses.

The

TRANSMIT

TEST FUNCTION

allows the addition of errors.
Bit, Code or FAS (Frame) errors can be

added dependent upon the SIGNAL and
PAYLOAD TYPE selections.

Errors of the type selected on the TEST
FUNCTION display can be added to the
P ATTERN singly by pressing . or

SINGLE

at a selectable RATE.

14

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM
Payloads. Option UKZ

DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM Payloads.
Option UKZ

A choice of four PDH / DSn SIGNAL
rates is available

The clock may be synchronized to an
internal clock or the received clock.

TERMINATION and Line CODE
selections should match the requirements
of the network equipment.

For DS1 and DS3 signal rates, the
OUTPUT LEVEL can be selected. At DS3
the CONVERGENCE LAYER can be
configured

When SDH / SONET modules are fitted,
additional transmission and reception
rates are available. For example STM-1
and OC-3c transmission and reception is
available via the SDH Overhead / Stress
module A1T plus an optical module
such as UH1.

FREQUENCY OFFSET can be added at
preset values or as User defined values in
the range ± 100 ppm

The preset value will change according to
the PDH / DSn signal rate selected.

15

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM
Payloads. Option UKZ

At the 34Mb/s SIGNAL rate a TRAIL
TRACE facility is available. The default
signal, HP37717C, may be replaced with a
selectable message.

If the DS3 SIGNAL rate is selected the
choice of CONVERGENCE SUB-LA YER
is provided (Direct or PLCP mapping).

If the 2Mb/s SIGNAL rate is selected,
CRC-4 Multiframing may be selected.

SCRAMBLING may be selected ON or
OFF at any of the SIGNAL rates.

16

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM
Payloads. Option UKZ

The

TRANSMIT

TEST FUNCTION

allows the addition of errors and alarms at
the physical and ATM layers.

The types of error available for selection
will depend on the SIGNAL rate selected.
The example shown is for DS1 which
includes excess zeros (EXZ).

The alarms which may be generated also
depend on the SIGNAL rate selected.

The example shown here is for DS3.
The Far End Alarm and Control (FEAC)

function allows alarm conditions and
control codewords to be transmitted.

To make measurements on PDH / DSn
signals with ATM payloads, set the

RECEIVE

PHYSICAL LAYER to the
interface SIGNAL RATE. MONITOR
and TERMINATE LEVELS should be
set to match the signal level.

17

HP 37717C PDH / DSn Features

DS1, DS3, E1 and E3 Transmit and Receive Interfaces for ATM
Payloads. Option UKZ

RESULTS

Select

PDH RESULTS

Then select the type of result required.

Information on the ATM features of this module is given in “The ATM Operating
Manual”

18