Symmetricom Enhances SSU 2000 Platform with GLONASS

Symmetricom, Inc. today announced two new capabilities for its SSU 2000 Synchronization Supply Unit: a GLONASS timing reference that uses signals from the satellite navigation system operated by the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces, and Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE), an ITU-T synchronization standard that delivers frequency synchronization over the Ethernet physical layer.

This enhanced version of the SSU 2000 will be the first in a series of forthcoming Symmetricom products that include GLONASS capabilities.

Available as an integrated card for the Symmetricom SSU 2000, the GLONASS referencing feature will allow customers to support both GPS and GLONASS simultaneously, providing added protection should signals from one navigation system become unavailable. GPS has long served as the primary reference signal for timing and synchronization in telecommunications and other networks. Operators in some regions prefer to use the GLONASS system, either as the primary time reference or in conjunction with GPS signals. Symmetricom has enhanced the SSU 2000 satellite receiver functionality to meet this demand.

“GLONASS signals have become an important primary reference for timing and synchronization systems,” said Laura Finkelstein, vice president of product management for Symmetricom. “The SSU 2000 is well-established as the synchronization platform for communication service providers globally. The integrated capability to simultaneously support both GPS and GLONASS provides our customers another way to improve the reliability of their network.”

Timing and synchronization are a focal point technology in Ethernet and mobile carrier networks today. Synchronous Ethernet allows frequency signals to transfer at the physical layer over Ethernet, helping improve network reliability by offering synchronization services to Carrier Ethernet networks. Using SyncE to complement IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) can enhance PTP services being delivered to mobile base stations deployed in radio access networks. The new SSU 2000 capability puts SyncE and PTP on the same output port, thus providing an ideal synchronization solution for the evolution of mobile networks as they extend coverage and increase capacity.

Designed in a NEBS-compliant package, the SSU 2000 integrates intelligent functional modules into a flexible, fully redundant system. This enables telecom network operators to seamlessly satisfy current and future requirements for generating and distributing superior synchronization signals for advanced network services.

The SSU 2000 has been deployed in more than 125 countries as a timing and synchronization distribution system for communications service providers.