15SIP04 TIMEFUNC
Publishable Summary for 15SIP04 TIMEFUNC
Time Synchronisation IMpact Enabling FUture Network Communication
Overview
The aim of this project is to support the uptake by industry and/or commercial organisations of time and
frequency synchronisation techniques via optical fibre networks as developed in JRP SIB02 NEAT-FT.
15SIP04 TIMEFUNC focuses on the application of White Rabbit Precision Time Protocol (WR-PTP) in
telecommunication networks through hands-on training on the design, implementation, operation and
maintenance of a WR-PTP synchronised network. The training material, including presentations and
guidelines, will be made openly available to the wider public.
Need
Technology and knowledge for transfer of accurate Time and Frequency (TF) signals through optical fibre
networks was developed within JRP SIB02 NEAT-FT. In project 15SIP04 the knowledge on implementing
accurate TF transfer by WR-PTP in optical fibre networks will be transferred from VSL to industrial parties and
commercial service providers.
The telecom service provider and primary supporter, KPN, recognises that improving synchronisation of nodes
in the telecommunication network beyond the current limitations of GPS-based synchronisation is the key to
enhancing network performance in terms of increasing data transfer capacity. KPN also recognises that
embedding accurate "Timing as a service" in the network is a strong concept for a wider range of new telecombased applications. Therefore, KPN (and other telecom service providers) need the knowledge obtained in
JRP SIB02 NEAT-FT to design optical fibre TF distribution networks.
For actual implementation and maintenance of the WR-PTP technology, KPN relies on services from OPNT,
an industrial party that provides the required hardware. Both KPN and OPNT are aware that the timing service
will be most valuable if it guarantees traceability to SI units. Therefore, OPNT intends to set up an accredited
calibration service for equipment to be installed in the optical fibre TF distribution networks. The experience
with delay calibration and delay asymmetry calibrations obtained in JRP SIB02 is of great value and needs to
be made available to commercial calibration laboratories. This will be done in 15SIP04 TIMEFUNC; specifically
to OPNT.
Objectives
The specific technical objectives of this project are concerned with providing detailed practical guidance in the
design, implementation, operation and maintenance of optical fibre based TF distribution networks for industrial
end users of the outputs from JRP SIB02 NEAT-FT, The project’s objectives are:
1.
To provide KPN with knowledge on the design and implementation of a TF distribution network based
on WR-PTP at an uncertainty level of 1 ns for time and 10-13 Hz/Hz for frequency. In addition to provide
OPNT with knowledge on how to operate, maintain and calibrate a TF distribution network based on
WR-PTP at an uncertainty level of 1 ns for time and 10 -13 Hz/Hz for frequency. A Best Practice Guide
on the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of a TF distribution network based on WRPTP will also be written, as well as a plan describing the steps towards the dissemination of the Best
Practice Guide amongst commercial organisations.
2.
To provide input to KPN’s strategic roadmap on optical fibre TF transfer techniques (not limited to WRPTP) and their potential for application on future telecoms-based services.
Report Status: PU Public
Publishable Summary
Issued: June 2016
This publication reflects only the author’s view
and the Commission is not responsible for any
use that may be made of the information it
contains.
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15SIP04 TIMEFUNC
Results
The project will result in support of telecommunication services by transfer of knowledge on WR-PTP
synchronisation. The work is divided in three main tasks.

VSL will provide training to KPN on the design and implementation of TF distribution network based
on WR-PTP and will provide training to OPNT on the operation and maintenance of WR-PTP links,
including delay calibration of equipment related to WR-PTP links.

VSL will write a Best Practice Guide on the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of a
TF distribution network based on WR-PTP.

VSL will explore with KPN the suitability of coherent optical frequency transfer, pulsed optical TF
transfer, time transfer over active communication channels at 100 Gbit/s and TF transfer with
electronically stabilised delay (ELSTAB) for future telecom-based services.
Impact
The outcomes of this project will ensure that its supporters (KPN and OPNT) have the knowledge to design,
implement, operate and maintain time and frequency synchronisation in an optical fibre network with an
uncertainty of less than 1 ns on time and 10-13 Hz/Hz on frequency, by using WR-PTP. This technique is more
accurate and less vulnerable than currently applied synchronisation techniques based on GNSS, and by
making the training material (including presentations and a best practice guide) developed in this project
publically available, it should ensure that the up-take of optical fibre synchronisation techniques developed in
JRP SIB02 NEAT-FT is facilitated to a larger group of end users, including: electrical power grid operators,
financial markets and scientific applications like (radio) astronomy and particle detectors.
Having more accurate TF signals available in optical fibre networks is essential for telecom service providers
for improving network performance in terms of increased data transfer capacity for both wired and wireless
communication services. At the same time, these accurate timing signals can be made available as a service
to third parties.
The implementation of WR-PTP by telecom providers will also lead to increased sales of WR equipment from
mainly European manufacturers. Furthermore, following the successful implementation of WR synchronisation
in the telecom network a much wider impact is to be expected from new and improved telecom-based services
like video phone calls, video-on-demand, audio-on-demand, 'cloud' storage and new navigation services.
Project start date and duration:
Coordinator: Erik Dierikx, VSL
Project website address: n/a
01 June 2016, 24 months
Tel: +31 152691688
E-mail: [email protected]
Primary Supporter:
Nico Baken
KPN Royal Dutch Telecom
Tel: +31 651428630
E-mail: [email protected]
Additional Supporter:
Jeroen Koelemeij OPNT
Tel: +31 (0)641504239
E-mail: [email protected]
Internal Funded Partners:
1.
VSL, Netherlands
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