Chapter 3: Basic Elements of STM-1
Chapter 3
Basic Elements of STM-1
1 Elements of an STM-1 Signal
1.1 Terminologies
Before discussing the basic elements of an STM frame, we will look at the
terminology used.
The suffixes used throughout the SDH multiplex levels derive from the older
PDH multiplex orders.
For instance
PDH Multiplex Order SDH suffix used
First Order of Multiplexing (2 Mbit/s) XX 1x (e.g. VC 12)
Second Order of Multiplexing (6 Mbit/s) XX 2 (e.g. TU 2)
Third Order of Multiplexing (34 Mbit/s) XX 3 (e.g. TUG 3)
Fourth Order of Multiplexing (140 Mbit/s) XX 4 (e.g. VC 4)
The above terms will be described in detail later in this section. Note,
however, that the First Order of multiplexing has two sub divisions, one for 2
Mbit/s PDH signals, e.g. VC 12, and one for 1.5 Mbit/s PDH signals e.g. VC
11. The other Orders of multiplexing have only one designation.
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Chapter 3: Basic Elements of STM-1
1.2 Container C
Prior to its transmission in the STM-1 frame, every piece of tributary
information, whether plesiochronous or synchronous, is interleaved in
containers (fig. 1).
The term container C describes a defined network-synchronized transmission
capacity. The container size is given in bytes. This byte total is provided every
125 µs as container transmission capacity. The defined container sizes are
tailored to the current plesiochronous signals.
The following containers are distinguished:
Designation Signal to be transmitted
C-11 1 544 kbit/s
C-12 2 048 kbit/s
C-2 6 312 kbit/s
C-3 44 736 kbit/s
or 34 368 kbit/s
C-4 139 264 kbit/s
The tributary information must be fitted into these containers. This is done
with bit-by-bit and byte-by-byte justification for plesiochronous signals, by
means of purely positive justification as well as negative/zero/justification.
The container includes:
1. Pure tributary information (e.g. PDH signal).
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Chapter 3: Basic Elements of STM-1
2. Fixed justification bytes and bits (fixed stuffing) for approximate timing
alignment. These bytes (or bits) are always without information content and
are used to approximately match the bit rate of the PDH signal to the
basically higher container bit rate. The precise bit rate alignment which
follows are performed with single justification opportunity bits.
3. Justification opportunity bits for precise timing alignment. These bits can be
used as tributary bits or justification bits as required.
4. Justification control bits to notify the receiver whether the justification
opportunity bits is an information bit or a justification bit.
1.3 Virtual Container VC
A path overhead (POH) is added to each container C. Together with its
associated POH, the container C is designated a virtual container VC and
routed as a non-modified entity via a through-connected path in the network.
The POH carries supplementary information ensuring the reliable transport of
the container from signal source to destination. It is added at the start of the
path when the VC is set up and first interpreted, and at the end of the path
when the container is cleared down. The POH includes information on the
supervision and maintenance of a path switched in the network.
Depending on its size, one virtual container can either be transmitted alone in
the STM-1 frame or otherwise interleaved in a larger VC, which is directly
transported in the STM-1.
A distinction is made between higher-order virtual containers (HO) and lower-
order containers (LO).
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Chapter 3: Basic Elements of STM-1
All containers transmitted in one „larger“container are termed LO containers.
LO VC describes VC-11, VC-12, and VC-2. VC-3 is described as a LO VC if
transmitted in a VC-4.
Those containers transmitted directly in the STM-1 frame are termed HO
containers. VC-4 is a HO VC. The same designation applies to a directly
transmitted VC-3.
1.4 Administrative Unit AU
The higher-order virtual containers VC-4 and VC-3 are transmitted directly in
the STM-1 frame.
In this case the pointers (AU-PTR block) embedded in the STM-1 frame
record the phase relationship between the frame and the respective virtual
container. That component of the STM-1 frame within which the VC is able to
„float“ is termed administrative unit (AU). The corresponding pointer,
described as AU pointer, likewise counts as part of the AU. Three 3-byte AU
pointers are included in the first 9 bytes of the 4th row of the STM-1 frame. A
distinction is made between the AU-4 and AU-3.
It is possible to transmit the following AU in the STM-1 frame:
either 1 x AU-4 or
3 x AU-3. ( This has not been implemented by ETSI)
Transmission of the VC-3 is possible either
1. Directly (AU-3) in the STM-1 (not the ETSI recommendation).
2. Indirectly via an AU-4, where 3 x VC-3 are interleaved in one VC-4 (This
is the ETSI recommendation, and it is how our equipment maps the VC
signal).
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Chapter 3: Basic Elements of STM-1
1.5 Administrative Unit Group AUG
Several AU are byte-interleaved, i.e. multiplexed byte-by-byte, to one AU
group (AUG). The AUG is a frame-synchronized structure corresponding to
the STM-1 without SOH. If the STM-1 SOH is added to the AUG, an STM-1
is produced.
An AUG can be composed either of 1 x AU-4 or 3 x AU-3.
1.6 Tributary Unit TU
With the exception of the VC-4, all VC can be interleaved in a larger VC and
transported in the STM-1. The „smaller“VC can generally float in phase terms
inside the „larger“(higher-order) VC. For this purpose a pointer establishing
the phase relationship between the two VC must be positioned at a fixed
location in the higher order VC. Tributary unit TU is the term used to describe
the component of the higher order container inside which the embedded LO
VC can vary plus the corresponding pointer (TU pointer).
The following TU are distinguished: TU-11, TU-12, TU-2, TU-3.
1.7 Tributary Unit Group TUG
Before being interleaved in the higher-order container, the TU are combined
in one group, i.e. byte-interleaved. Such a group is termed a TUG (tributary
unit group).
The following TUG has been defined: TUG-2 and TUG-3.
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Chapter 3: Basic Elements of STM-1
Fig. 1 Container sizes and bit rates
Fig. 2 Synchronous digital hierarchy