EXPO SyncWatch-110 User manual

www.EXFO.com
Telecom Test and Measurement
SyncWatch-110
User Guide
Issue 1.49
Versatile Synchronization Test
and Monitoring System
SyncWatch Version A

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Copyright statement
Copyright © 2011-2015 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, be it electronically,
mechanically, or by any other means such as photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior written permission of EXFO Inc. (EXFO).
Information provided by EXFO is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is
assumed by EXFO for its use nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that
may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent rights of
EXFO.
EXFO’s Commerce and Government Entities (CAGE) code under the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) is 0L8C3.
The information contained in this publication is subject to change without notice.
Trademarks
EXFO’s trademarks have been identified as such. However, the presence or absence of such
identification does not affect the legal status of any trademark.
Units of measurement
Units of measurement in this publication conform to SI standards and practices.

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Safety information
CAUTION
This unit is for indoor use only.
CAUTION
All electrical interfaces are SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) circuitry intended for intra-
building use only.
To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunication line cord.
CAUTION
No user serviceable parts are contained inside. Contact the manufacturer regarding service
of this equipment.
IMPORTANT
All wiring and installation must be in accordance with local building and electrical codes
acceptable to the authorities in the countries where the equipment is installed and used.
CAUTION
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Sensitive Equipment:
The unit can be damaged by static electrical discharge, particularly when performing fuse
changes or adding a SIM card to the GSM/GPRS modem inside the unit. To minimize the
risk of damage, dissipate static electricity by touching a grounded unpainted metal
object;
Before removing, inserting, or handling the unit.
Before connecting or disconnecting cables to/from the unit.

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Critical information
Caution: The SyncWatch probe should only be installed and maintained by a suitably qualified
engineer after observing the precautions listed within this guide. If the SyncWatch product is used in
a manner not specified in the instructions the safety afforded by the product may be impaired.
Warning: To avoid serious personal injury or death, do not disregard
warnings. All warnings use this symbol. Warnings are installation, operation,
or maintenance procedures, practices, or statements that if not strictly
observed, may result in serious personal injury or even death.
Caution: To avoid personal injury, do not disregard cautions. All cautions
use this symbol. Cautions are installation, operation, or maintenance
procedures, practices, conditions, or statements that if not strictly observed,
may result in damage to, or destruction of, the equipment. Cautions are also
used to indicate a long-term health hazard.
ESD Caution: To avoid personal injury and electrostatic discharge (ESD)
damage to equipment, do not disregard ESD cautions. All ESD cautions use
this symbol. ESD cautions are installation, operation, or maintenance
procedures, practices, conditions, or statements that if not strictly observed,
may result in possible personal injury, electrostatic discharge damage to, or
destruction of, static-sensitive components of the equipment.
Electrical Shock Caution: To avoid electrical shock and possible personal
injury, do not disregard electrical shock cautions. All electrical shock
cautions use this symbol. Electrical shock cautions are practices,
procedures, or statements that if not strictly observed, may result in possible
personal injury, electrical shock damage to, or destruction of components of
the equipment.
Recommendation: All recommendations use this symbol. Recommendations
indicate manufacturer-tested methods or known functionality.
Recommendations contain installation, operation, or maintenance
procedures, practices, conditions, or statements, that provide important
information for optimum performance results.
Note: All notes use this symbol. Notes contain installation, operation, or
maintenance procedures, practices, conditions, or statements that alert you
to important information, which may make your task easier or increase your
understanding.

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Certification information
North America Regulatory Statement
This unit was certified by an agency approved in both Canada and the United States of America. It
has been evaluated according to applicable North American approved standards for product safety
for use in Canada and the United States.
Electronic test and measurement equipment is exempt from FCC part 15, subpart B compliance in
the United States of America and from ICES-003 compliance in Canada. However, EXFO Inc.
makes reasonable efforts to ensure compliance to the applicable standards.
The limits set by these standards are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the user guide, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which
case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate
the equipment
European Community Declaration of Conformity
Warning: This is a class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
An electronic version of the declaration of conformity for your product is available on our website at
www.exfo.com. Refer to the product’s page on the Web site for details.
Note: If the equipment described herein bears the CE symbol, the said equipment complies with
the applicable European Union Directive and Standards mentioned in the Declaration of Conformity.
For continued compliance to the requirements of the EMC Directive:
For the BNC/AUX port(s) use double-shielded coaxial cable, type 734A or equivalent.
For the REF OUT port use double-shielded cable, type LMR-240 ULTRAFLEX or equivalent,
with a maximum length of 3m.
If the equipment described herein bears the CE symbol, the said equipment complies with the
applicable European Union Directive and Standards mentioned in the Declaration of Conformity.
For BNC Input ports A & D use ferrites Wurth PN 742 711 42 to comply with Radiated emissions
requirement.

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Contents
Copyright statement.......................................................................................................... 2
Trademarks....................................................................................................................... 2
Units of measurement....................................................................................................... 2
Safety information............................................................................................................. 3
Critical information............................................................................................................ 4
Certification information.................................................................................................... 5
North America Regulatory Statement............................................................................... 5
European Community Declaration of Conformity............................................................. 5
Contents.................................................................................................................................. 7
About this guide ........................................................................................................... 151.
Purpose of this guide......................................................................................................15
Who should read this guide............................................................................................15
Structure of this guide..................................................................................................... 16
Useful definitions ............................................................................................................16
Abbreviations.................................................................................................................. 16
Synchronization introduction...................................................................................... 192.
What is network synchronization?.................................................................................. 19
Network clocks.............................................................................................................19
Effects of poor synchronization.................................................................................... 19
A telecom sync system ................................................................................................ 19
Source clocks ................................................................................................................. 20
Traditional networks.....................................................................................................20
Packet networks........................................................................................................... 20
Receiver clocks...............................................................................................................20
Traditional networks.....................................................................................................21
Packet networks........................................................................................................... 21
Management................................................................................................................... 21
Monitoring..................................................................................................................... 21
Testing..........................................................................................................................22
Making synchronization and timing measurements................................................. 233.
Synchronization and timing measurement fundamentals...............................................23

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Synchronization in telecom networks...........................................................................23
Determining the signal type..........................................................................................24
Controlling signal levels and integrity...........................................................................25
Matching end-to-end signal impedance.......................................................................26
Using correct cable infrastructure ................................................................................26
Compensating for propagation delay...........................................................................27
Understanding what is being measured.......................................................................28
Choosing a valid measurement reference................................................................... 29
Validating the internal reference .................................................................................. 30
Identifying invalid measurements.................................................................................31
Identifying valid measurements ...................................................................................32
Product overview.......................................................................................................... 334.
The system .....................................................................................................................33
Modes of operation......................................................................................................... 34
USB mode.................................................................................................................... 35
SyncWatch probe hardware....................................................................................35
SyncWatch SMART software..................................................................................36
USB Measurement Configurator software.............................................................. 36
Standalone mode......................................................................................................... 37
SyncWatch probe hardware....................................................................................37
SyncWatch SMART software..................................................................................38
Managed mode............................................................................................................39
SyncWatch probe hardware....................................................................................39
NetSMART software ...............................................................................................40
SyncWatch SMART software (optional) ................................................................. 40
Hardware ....................................................................................................................... 415.
Front panel connections .................................................................................................41
Inputs............................................................................................................................42
Outputs and other connections.................................................................................... 43
Overview of signal connections...................................................................................... 43

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Flexible frequency ports.......................................................................................... 43
E1/T1 ports..............................................................................................................43
SyncE/PTP port ......................................................................................................43
SyncE/PTP ports.....................................................................................................44
1 PPS port...............................................................................................................44
TOD / 1 PPS port.................................................................................................... 44
Output port.............................................................................................................. 44
GNSS port...............................................................................................................44
GPRS...................................................................................................................... 44
Front panel Module Status LEDs....................................................................................45
Front panel Control buttons............................................................................................ 46
Optional internal modules............................................................................................... 46
Signal connections –pin assignment.............................................................................47
Balanced (INPUTS A and C)........................................................................................47
BNC connectors (INPUTS A-F and OUT).................................................................... 47
RS232 (Local) .............................................................................................................. 47
Sync E (INPUT G)........................................................................................................48
LAN port (LAN).............................................................................................................48
Installation..................................................................................................................... 496.
Unpacking and preparing................................................................................................ 49
Installation tools and equipment ..................................................................................49
Unpacking the probe.................................................................................................... 49
Rack mount.............................................................................................................50
Power (-48 vDC) ..................................................................................................... 50
Grounding the probe............................................................................................... 51
GPS antenna installation................................................................................................51
Safety considerations................................................................................................... 51
Selecting a site for the antenna ................................................................................... 52
Roof antenna placement.........................................................................................52
Typical roof antenna mounting................................................................................52
Installing the GPS antenna ..........................................................................................53
GSM/GPRS SIM card..................................................................................................... 54
Software installation........................................................................................................ 54
SyncWatch SMART .....................................................................................................54
USB measurement configurator...................................................................................54

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NetSMART................................................................................................................... 54
Initial probe configuration (all modes) ....................................................................... 557.
Communicating with the probe....................................................................................... 55
Local port...................................................................................................................... 55
LAN port....................................................................................................................... 55
Configuration .................................................................................................................. 56
Main menu.................................................................................................................... 56
Information menu.........................................................................................................57
Configuration menu...................................................................................................... 57
Managed configuration ...........................................................................................59
Standalone configuration........................................................................................60
USB configuration................................................................................................... 61
Ethernet configuration............................................................................................. 62
Modem configuration ..............................................................................................63
Hardware configuration........................................................................................... 64
Date and time configuration....................................................................................65
GPS status check ...................................................................................................66
Actions menu ...............................................................................................................68
USB mode - configuration ........................................................................................... 698.
Measurement configuration............................................................................................ 70
To configure a reference source.................................................................................. 70
To configure a measurement source...........................................................................71
To configure a second measurement source............................................................... 72
Monitor output .............................................................................................................. 74
UTC offset.................................................................................................................... 74
Export to USB .............................................................................................................. 74
Save config................................................................................................................... 74
Start measurement......................................................................................................... 75
End measurement ..........................................................................................................75
Standalone mode –Operation..................................................................................... 779.
Connect to probe ............................................................................................................ 77
Frequency measurement................................................................................................ 80
Configure a reference source.......................................................................................81
Configure a measurement source................................................................................ 83

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Configure a second measurement source................................................................... 84
Sample rate.................................................................................................................. 85
Monitor output .............................................................................................................. 85
UTC offset.................................................................................................................... 85
Save config................................................................................................................... 85
Start measurement.......................................................................................................85
Advanced graphing (Frequency data analysis)............................................................86
ESMC statistics............................................................................................................ 90
1PPS TOD statistics.....................................................................................................90
Packet measurement...................................................................................................... 92
CTL611 PTP Module....................................................................................................93
CTL612 Advanced Sync Module .................................................................................95
Packet statistics............................................................................................................ 100
PDV Distribution Graph ................................................................................................102
Save Snapshot........................................................................................................... 102
Compare Saved Data.................................................................................................102
Display........................................................................................................................103
Advanced graphing (Packet data analysis).................................................................. 104
Grand Master Mode......................................................................................................105
CTL612 Advanced Sync Module ...............................................................................105
Load measurements..................................................................................................... 108
Load data from file .....................................................................................................108
Managed mode –operation....................................................................................... 11310.
Starting a user session................................................................................................. 114
Probes........................................................................................................................... 116
Add a probe................................................................................................................116
Remove a probe......................................................................................................... 116
Measurement profiles................................................................................................... 117
Configure a measurement profile............................................................................... 117
Copying an existing measurement profile.............................................................120
Manual configuration of a measurement profile....................................................120
MTIE exception threshold ..........................................................................................122
MTIE display masks...................................................................................................122
Alarm notification........................................................................................................ 123

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Heartbeat configuration..............................................................................................124
Delete a measurement profile.................................................................................... 124
Location maps ..............................................................................................................125
Create a location map................................................................................................ 125
Replace a location map.............................................................................................. 126
Delete a location map ................................................................................................126
Move probe ................................................................................................................ 126
Measurements plots .....................................................................................................127
View MTIE plots ......................................................................................................... 127
View historical MTIE plots.......................................................................................... 128
View TIE plots ............................................................................................................ 129
Alarm and event............................................................................................................ 131
View alarms................................................................................................................ 131
Alarm states:.........................................................................................................131
View historical alarms ................................................................................................ 132
Filter alarms................................................................................................................ 133
Alarm and event types ...............................................................................................134
GPS status....................................................................................................................135
User accounts............................................................................................................... 136
Create new account ................................................................................................... 136
Modify account...........................................................................................................136
Delete account ........................................................................................................... 137
Reset password .........................................................................................................137
Measurement performance statistics............................................................................ 138
By date.......................................................................................................................138
By time ....................................................................................................................... 139
Networks....................................................................................................................... 140
Create network........................................................................................................... 140
Switch network........................................................................................................... 141
Modify network...........................................................................................................141
General.......................................................................................................................141
MTIE mask................................................................................................................. 141
Add a new mask.........................................................................................................142
Remove an existing mask.......................................................................................... 142

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Phase FTP ................................................................................................................. 142
Delete network ........................................................................................................... 142
SNMP - optional............................................................................................................143
Configure northbound SNMP.....................................................................................145
MIB file..................................................................................................................145
Traps..................................................................................................................... 145
Server configuration.............................................................................................. 145
Firmware upgrade......................................................................................................... 147
Maintenance................................................................................................................ 14911.
Probe firmware upgrade...............................................................................................149
USB mode.................................................................................................................. 149
Standalone mode....................................................................................................... 149
Managed mode..........................................................................................................149
Calibration of rubidium module..................................................................................... 149
Calibration procedure (via GPS)................................................................................ 150
Probe fuse replacement................................................................................................ 150
Recycling and disposal (Applies to European Union Only).......................................... 150
Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................... 15112.
Advanced results analysis ........................................................................................ 15313.
Specifications ............................................................................................................. 15514.
Probe measurement inputs........................................................................................ 155
Probe GPS input (optional)........................................................................................155
Enhanced Rubidium GPS receiver (optional)............................................................155
Rubidium GPS receiver (optional) .............................................................................155
OCXO GPS receiver (optional)..................................................................................155
Probe management interfaces................................................................................... 156
Probe power supply ................................................................................................... 156
Environmental specifications......................................................................................156
Physical specifications...............................................................................................156
Probe installation options........................................................................................... 156
Compliance ................................................................................................................ 156
Supported SFPs......................................................................................................... 156
SyncWatch SMART software.....................................................................................157

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Platform requirements............................................................................................157
NetSMART software ..................................................................................................158
Platform requirements............................................................................................158
Browser requirements............................................................................................158
Contacting the Technical Support Group ................................................................ 15915.
Transportation............................................................................................................ 159
Warranty ...................................................................................................................... 16116.
General information....................................................................................................161
Liability ....................................................................................................................... 162
Exclusions.................................................................................................................. 162
Certification ................................................................................................................ 162
Service and repairs....................................................................................................162
EXFO Service Centers worldwide..............................................................................163
Appendix A.................................................................................................................. 16517.
ROHS statement........................................................................................................ 171

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About this guide1.
Purpose of this guide
The SyncWatch User Guide describes the procedures for unpacking, installing, operating and
maintaining the SyncWatch probe. In addition, an overview of network synchronization principles is
included.
Who should read this guide
The SyncWatch product overview found in section 4 is written for non-technical audiences who
need general information about the product. Subsequent sections contain installation and
configuration information as well as a technical reference.
This Installation and Operation Guide is designed for the following audiences:
Systems Engineers
Installation Engineers
Operations Engineers
Maintenance Engineers
Network Design Engineers
R&D Engineers

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Structure of this guide
Each of the SyncWatch ‘modes of operation’ is dealt with independent sections within this guide. In
some cases this will result in information being repeated. However, this approach simplifies access
to the required information during the process of installation and configuration.
Useful definitions
GPS Global Positioning System is a US government owned system using a number of
Satellites orbiting the earth, these satellites are primarily intended to give positioning
information for navigation but can also be used to derive a highly accurate timing source.
MTIE Maximum Time Interval Error is a measurement based on TIE data designed to provide
the maximum deviation of the peak-to-peak value of the TIE within, by widening the
observation window.
NTP Network Time Protocol is a protocol that is used to synchronize computer clock times in
a network of computers.
PDV Packet Delay Variation is the difference in end-to-end delay between selected packets in
a flow with any lost packets being ignored.
PTP Precision Time Protocol is an IEEE1588 defined protocol for distribution of timing over
packet networks e.g. Ethernet.
Rb Rubidium is an atomic frequency standard and can be used as an accurate frequency
reference source for telecoms applications.
SYNC-E Synchronous Ethernet is the ability to provide PHY-level frequency distribution through
an Ethernet port. It can be considered one of the critical building blocks of the next
generation packet networks.
TIE Time Interval Error is the difference between the measure of a time interval as provided
by a clock and the measure of that same time interval as provided by a reference clock.
UTC Coordinated Universal Time is the time standard by which the world regulates clocks
and time. Coordinated Universal Time is a time standard based on International Atomic
Time with leap seconds added at irregular intervals to compensate for the Earth's
slowing rotation.
Abbreviations
ANSI American National Standards Institute
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
B8ZS Bipolar 8 Zero Substitution
BITS Building Integrated Timing Supply
DAB Digital Audio Broadcasting
DC Direct Current
DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DNS Domain Name Server
DVB Digital Video Broadcast

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ESD Electrostatic Discharge
ETSI European Telecom Standard Institute
FTP File Transfer Protocol
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
GPIB General Purpose Interface Bus
GPRS General Packet Radio Service
GPS Global Positioning System
GSM Group Special Mobile
HDB3 High Density Bipolar 3 Code
IEEE Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
IP Internet Protocol
ITU International Telecommunications Union
LAN Local Area Network
LED Light Emitting Diode
LOS Loss of Signal
LTE Long Term Evolution
MCU Micro-Controller Unit
MTIE Maximum Time Interval Error
NTP Network Time Protocol
OXCO Oven Compensated Crystal Oscillator
PDV Packet Delay Variation
PIN Personal Identification Number
PPM Parts per million
PPS Pulses Per Second
PRC Primary Reference Clock
PRS Primary Reference Source
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
PTP Precision Time Protocol
QoE Quality of Experience
RAS Remote Access Server
Rb Rubidium
RF Radio Frequency
SDH Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
SIM Subscriber Identity Module
SMART Synchronization Monitoring and Reporting Tool
SMS Short Message Service
SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol

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SONET Synchronous Optical Networking
SSH Secure Shell
SSU Synchronization Supply Unit
SYNC E Synchronous Ethernet
TCP Transmission Control Protocol
TIE Time Interval Error
TTL Transistor-Transistor Logic
USB Universal Serial Bus
UTC Universal Time Coordinated

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Synchronization introduction2.
What is network synchronization?
Synchronization is the means by which digital equipment in a communications network operates in
unison. For the transmission of digital data, information is coded into discrete bits, data frames or
packets. When this data is transmitted through a network of digital communication links and nodes,
all parts of the system must be synchronized in order to avoid data loss or the retransmitting of
data.
Synchronization is critical for maintaining the correct operation of telecom networks and services
including SDH/SONET, ATM, 2G/3G mobile backhaul and PSTN voice services.
With communication service providers now rolling out high-speed packet networks based on
IP/MPLS and Ethernet technology, synchronization remains equally as critical for supporting both
legacy and next generation time sensitive services e.g. IPTV, online gaming, music streaming.
As wireless operators rollout 4G LTE/WIMAX networks, synchronization is still required at the base
station to maintain the air interface frequency and any legacy voice infrastructure.
Network clocks
A network clock located at the originating site controls the rate at which the bits or frames/packets
are transmitted from the sending node. A second network clock is located at the receiving node,
controlling the rate at which the information is being read. The objective of network timing is to keep
the source and receiver clocks in step so that the receiving node can properly interpret the digital
signal. Poor synchronization at nodes within a network will cause the receiving node to either drop
data or have to re-read information sent to it.
Effects of poor synchronization
Poor synchronization is caused by differences in timing accuracy among clocks at different network
levels or by phase movements called jitter and wander. Jitter and wander distort network timing
references as they are distributed from one node to another. As the frequency of the clock drifts,
quality of service problems can increase. These problems can include dropped sessions and the
need for retransmission in wire line systems, or dropped calls and delayed handoffs in wireless
systems
A telecom sync system
Most telecommunications administrations use a hierarchical master-slave method to synchronize
their networks. The master or source clock for a network is a PRC (Primary Reference Clock)
comprising one or more Primary Reference Sources (PRS). This clock reference is distributed
through a network of receiver clocks.
A node with the most stable, robust clock is designated as a source node. The source node
transmits a timing reference to one or more slave nodes. The slave nodes, having equal or worse
timing performance than the source node, lock onto the timing reference of the source node and
then pass the reference to other slave nodes. This way timing is distributed down a hierarchy of
nodes.

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These slave nodes are usually designed to accept two or more timing references. At any time, one
reference is active while all other alternate references are standby. In the case where the active
reference is lost, the receiver node can switch references and lock to an alternate reference. Each
receiver node therefore, has access to timing from two, or more, source nodes providing redundant
operation.
Source clocks
Traditional networks
Modern telecommunications networks use highly accurate primary reference clocks (PRC) that
must meet the international standards requirement for long term frequency accuracy better than 1
part in 10¹¹. To get this performance, atomic clocks or GPS are normally used. PRC clocks are also
known to as stratum 1 clocks. A PRC/stratum 1 clock is defined by the International and Regional
standards bodies ITU, ETSI and ANSI.
Packet networks
A Grandmaster is a term used for a master clock for a packet network. Grandmaster clocks typically
use rubidium or quartz oscillators that are steered by timing information obtained from GPS.
Grandmaster clocks transmit PTP timing packet information, as defined by IEEE 1588v2, to PTP
slave clocks residing on its network segment.
Receiver clocks
The role of a receiver clock is to recover the clock from a reference signal and maintain timing as
close to the source node's timing as possible. To accomplish this, the receiver clock must perform
two basic tasks:
It must reproduce the source clock's timing from a reference signal, even though the
reference signal may have errors imposed upon it by the transmission media
It must maintain adequate timing for a defined period in the absence of a timing reference