Timing and synchronization | Test solution

Timing and synchronization - 1588 PTP, SyncE and over-the-air time error test solution

Simple-to-use, highly accurate and fastest set-up time in the industry. EXFO’s timing and synchronization solution validates the accuracy of 5G network time synchronization, either over fiber or over the air.

With 5G, every nanosecond counts

Thanks to its built-in high precision GNSS receiver, EXFO’s timing and synchronization solution slashes test set-up time to under 20 minutes and delivers industry-leading accuracy to validate precise time synchronization across every network element, in frequency and in phase, from the core to the radios.

Key features

1588v2 PTP validation with high accuracy PDV and Time Error measurements

SyncE protocol validation

Wander measurement and analysis

Built-in high precision GNSS receiver for accuracy down to the nanosecond [+/- 5 ns]

High-accuracy GNSS receiver slashes test set-up time to under 20 minutes

Easy-to-configure test application for measuring one- way latency, Time Error and Wander

Validate timing and synchronization without connecting to network equipment (i.e., over the air)

Easy to set up, easy to configure making it simpler to obtain over-the-air timing and synchronization measurements

Absolute time error measurements for multiple PCIs can be taken simultaneously and are available at a glance

Description

5G timing and synchronization requirements are tighter and more demanding than in any previous wireless generation. Every network element needs perfect synchronization for 5G to deliver on its promised ultra-high-performance requirements.

To ensure that a network’s timing and synchronization is accurate, 5G relies on network synchronization based on IEEE’s 1588 PTP (Precision Time Protocol). This guarantees that an Ethernet network’s timing and synchronization is consistent and accurate across every network element.

Between equipment failures, incorrect configuration and network issues, many different factors can increase time error in the network or cause problems delivering 1588 PTP. In addition, as TDD transmission-based 5G deployments gain prominence—due to increased use of C-band spectrum—stringent timing and synchronization measures will be required to prevent interference and performance issues.

These are reasons why it’s of paramount importance to test and validate network time synchronization.

Network synchronization made easy

EXFO’s timing and synchronization solution offers a simple-to-use test methodology with very few steps required for configuration. Measuring one-way latency and time error has never been easier.

Over-the-air timing and sync testing

EXFO’s over-the-air (OTA) timing and synchronization testing delivers absolute time error results from multiple PCIs, all available at a glance, without the need to connect to network equipment. Available on the 5GPro Spectrum Analyzer. Other features include:

Easy-to-setup, easy-to-configure design make it quick to obtain over-the-air timing and synch measurements
Accepts input of cell-site coordinates for automatic calculation of distance between test set and radio
Uses GNSS lock time for quick and easy configuration and locking (with EXFO’s TA-sync-premium)
Identifies intercell interference across different carrier networks

Boosting field testing efficiency

The timing and synchronization feature (over fiber or over the air) is also available on the FTB 5GPro. A complete, future-proof solution, the FTB 5GPro packs a wide range of fiber, protocol and over-the-air intelligent test functionalities into a modular instrument—boosting field-testing efficiency and ensuring the on-time deployment of high-quality 5G and 4G/LTE networks.