Overview
This application note covers five topics concerning Maxim framers and single-chip transceivers (SCTs). The first section provides a detailed explanation about how the framer or SCT synchronize to an incoming data stream. This section also defines the resync criteria and how a resync is performed. The second section explains how the framer or SCT can be set up to sync to a data stream when it is not known beforehand whether CAS or CRC4 multiframes are present in the data stream. The third section shows how a user can determine what frame or multiframe level caused a loss-of synchronization. The fourth section demonstrates how to decode the receive frame-error pin on a framer or SCT. Finally, the fifth section is a short tutorial on E1 frame and multiframe structures.
Section 1: How Framers And SCTs Sync and Resync
In an E1 mode, the data stream always contains the frame alignment signal (FAS), and it can contain
either one or both of the two kinds of multiframe, namely cyclic redundancy check 4 (CRC4) and channel
associated signaling (CAS). The following discussion covers how Dallas framers and SCTs handle
synchronization and resynchronization under FAS, CRC4, and CAS levels. Refer to
Figures 1A and
1B
as a supplement to the discussion.
FAS Sync
The framer or SCT always begins a sync or resync with a search for the FAS. The framer or SCT
considers that it has found the FAS when it has located a correct FAS word (X0011011), followed by a
non-FAS word with bit 2 set to a 1 (X1XXXXXX), followed by another correct FAS word. If a proper
FAS sequence exists in the incoming data stream, then the framer or SCT syncs to it in, at most, four
frames or 500ms. If a resync is occurring (i.e., the part has previously obtained FAS sync), the framer or
SCT begins a bit-by-bit search for the FAS word in the time slot following the one to which it had
previously been aligned. This reduces the chance of the framer resyncing onto the same emulator. If both
CAS and CRC4 are disabled, once the FAS sync criteria is met, the framer or SCT enters a sync condition
and the receive loss-of-sync (RLOS) pin goes low. If either CAS or CRC4 is enabled, then the framer or
SCT performs a search for its respective multiframe alignment signals before a sync condition is asserted.
If both CAS and CRC4 are enabled, then the searches are performed in parallel after the FAS sync criteria
has been met.
CAS Multiframe Sync
If CAS is enabled, then the framer or SCT uses the frame alignment created by the FAS sync to locate
time slot 16. The framer then begins searching time slot 16 for the multiframe alignment word
(0000XXXX). If the framer or SCT finds the frame alignment word and the previous time slot 16 did not
contain the multiframe alignment word, then CAS multiframe sync is declared. The user has the option of
making the CAS sync criteria more rigid by setting the CAS multiframe sync criteria bit. If the
multiframe sync criteria bit is set, then the framer or SCT looks for two additional multiframe alignment
words before it declares sync. In the SYNC/RSYNC flow without the CAS multiframe-sync criteria bit
set to low, if the framer or SCT cannot find CAS multiframe alignment in 12ms to 14ms (i.e., over six
full multiframes), then it sets the frame resync criteria enabled and initiates a resync at the FAS level. In
the SYNC/RSYNC flow when the CAS multiframe sync-criteria bit set to hight, the device continuously
searches for the CAS multiframe alignment.
CRC4 Multiframe Sync
If CRC4 is enabled, then the framer or SCT searches for the CRC4 multiframe alignment word
(001011XX) in bit 1 of time slot 0 of the nonalign frames. In the SYNC/RSYNC flow, in one sync
algorithm, if two valid multiframe alignment words are found in 12ms to 14ms, then sync is declared.
Otherwise, in another sync algorithm, the framer or SCT initiates a resync at the FAS level. In the
SYNC/RSYNC flow with E1 mode, the time out period is reduced to 8ms.
FAS Resync Criteria
Once sync is declared, then the framer or SCT, in E1 mode, automatically monitors the FAS words for
errors. If the FAS word is received in error three consecutive times, then the frame resync criteria is met.
It shows in the status register, and a resync is initiated if the sync enable bit is cleared. The user can make
the resync criteria softer by enabling the frame resync criteria bit. If the frame resync criteria bit is
enabled, then the framer or SCT monitors bit 2 in time slot 0 of the nonalign frames as well as the FAS
words for errors. If either bit 2 or the FAS word (or both) is incorrect on three consecutive occasions, then
a resync is initiated.
CAS Resync Criteria
If CAS is enabled, then the framer or SCT monitors time slot 16 for errors in the multiframe alignment
word. If two consecutive multiframe alignment words are received in error, the CAS multiframe resynccriteria
bit is then set to a 1. But, if the sync bit is enabled, then a resync at the FAS level is initiated. The
CAS resync criteria can be softened by setting CAS multiframe criteria bit to 1. When this bit is set, then
the framer or SCT resyncs if it gets two incorrect multiframe alignment words in a row or if it ever
receives two consecutive time slot 16 words with 0s in the first four MSB bit positions (0000XXXX).
CRC4 Resync Criteria
Once the framer or SCT has achieved sync, if CRC4 is enabled, it then begins recording CRC4 code word
errors in the CRC4 count error register (CECR). CCITT recommends that if more than 914 CRC4 errors
are received out of a block of 1000 code words, that it is to be assumed that the framer has falsely locked
onto an emulator and a resynchronization should be initiated. In one of the sync algorithm modes, there is
an automatic CRC4 resync criteria that forces a resynchronization if 915 or more CRC4 code words, out
of a 1000, are received in error. But, in another sync algorithm more, the user can monitor CRC4 codeword
errors in the CECR or the RFER pins and initiate a resync in the framer or SCT by toggling resync
bit from a 0 to a 1 or by doing a hardware reset.
Figure 1A. Framers and SCTs sync/resync flow without CRC4 sync time out to 12ms and
with a time-out period for CAS multiframe search.
Figure 1B. Framers and SCTs sync/resync flow with CRC4 sync time out to 8ms and
without a time-out period for CAS multiframe search.
SECTION 2: Using Framers and SCTs to Determine Sync Frame/Multiframe Conditions
The framer or SCT can be used to determine whether or not the incoming data stream contains any of the
following:
- channel associated signaling (CAS) multiframe structure
- cyclical redundancy check 4 (CRC4) multiframe structure
- frame alignment signal (FAS) frame structure
In order to establish which of the three are present, the user must selectively enable and disable the
various multiframe modes of the framer or SCT. One possible method of performing this function is
shown in a flow chart in
Figure 2. The flow chart suggests that the user initially enable both CAS and
CRC4 multiframes and try to achieve sync. If sync cannot be obtained, then first CAS is disabled and
then CRC4 is disabled. If sync still cannot be obtained, then the FAS structure must not be present. Users
can implement the flow chart outlined in Figure 2 with the framer or SCT in either hardware or software
mode.
In Maxim devices like DS2154, DS21X54, DS2155, DS21Q44, and DS2156, the host only
needs to read the SYNC status registers (INFO3 and INFO7) to determine these above conditions.
CAS Resync Criteria Met Event (CASRC). Set when two consecutive CAS MF alignment words are
received in error.
FAS Resync Criteria Met Event (FASRC). Set when three consecutive FAS words are received in
error.
CRC Resync Criteria Met Event (CRCRC). Set when 915/1000 code words are received in error.
CRC4 MF Sync Active (CRC4SA). Set while the synchronizer is searching for the CRC4 MF alignment
word.
CAS MF Sync Active (CASSA). Set while the synchronizer is searching for the CAS MF alignment
word.
FAS Sync Active (FASSA). Set while the synchronizer is searching for alignment at the FAS level.
SECTION 3: Determining What Caused Resync
If the framer or SCT is used in software mode, then the receive status register can be monitored to
determine what event triggered a loss of synchronization. One possible method of performing this task is
shown in the form of a flowchart in
Figure 3. The flow chart suggests that the user monitor the receive
loss-of-sync bit (RLOS) or pin to ascertain when a loss of synchronization occurs. Once a loss of
synchronization has occurred, then the use of the frame resync criteria bit and the CAS multiframe resync
criteria bit along with the known configuration of the transceiver can be used to establish the event that
evoked the loss of synchronization.
SECTION 4: Decoding the Receive Frame-Error Pin on Framers and SCTs
Three types of errors in the received data stream are reported in real time at the receive frame-error pin.
- Errors in the frame alignment signal (FAS) word
- Errors in the channel associated signaling (CAS) multiframe alignment word
- Errors in the cyclical redundancy check 4 (CRC4) code word
The user can determine the type of error reported at the receive frame-error pin by externally decoding
the pin with two AND gates and a D-type flip flop, as shown in
Figure 4. A rising edge out of either the AND gates or the D-type flip flop indicates that a particular error event has occurred.
SECTION 5: E1 Frame and Multiframe Structures
E1 Frame Structure
The 2.048MHz E1 (PCM–30) environment consists of a frame structure of 256 bits that is repeated at an
8kHz rate. Each frame consists of 32 8-bit time slots that are numbered from 0 to 31. The first eight bits
of every frame (time slot 0) are used mainly to provide framing information. Every other time slot 0
contains a fixed 7-bit pattern known as the frame alignment signal (FAS) (
Figure 5). As its name
suggests, the FAS pattern (X0011011) identifies time slot 0, from which the other time slots can be
readily ascertained. In frames that do not begin with the FAS (nonalign frames), bit 2 of the time slot is
fixed at a 1 to ensure that it does not emulate the FAS pattern. Besides framing information, time slot 0
contains two sets of spare bits and an alarm. One spare bit per frame is intended for international use and
it is designated Si in Figure 5. Five spare bits per frame are available for national usage and they are
designated Sa in Figure 5. Bit 3 of the nonalign frames is used to indicate whether the remote unit is in
alarm or not. If the alarm bit is set to a 1, then an alarm condition exists at the remote. If it is 0, then no alarm condition exists.
Figure 2: Flowchart to Determine Frame/Multiframe.
Figure 3. Framers and SCTs Flowchart for Loss-of-Sync.
Figure 4. Externally Decoding the Receive Frame-Error Pin.
Figure 5. E1 Frame Structure.
E1 Multiframe Structure
Two separate multiframe structures exist in E1 environments, cyclical redundancy check 4 (CRC4) and
channel associated signaling (CAS). Both of these multiframes are based on the FAS framing level, but
they are used independently of each other for different purposes. Although both multiframes consist of a
set of 16 consecutive frames, they need not be aligned nor must they both be present in a data stream.
CRC4 Multiframe Structure
The multiframe structure of CRC4 is shown in
Figure 6. The CRC4 multiframe consists of a multiframe
alignment word and two 4-bit code words. The CRC4 multiframe always begins on an align frame and it
uses the spare international bit (bit 1 of both align and nonalign frames) location. The CRC4 multiframe
alignment word is a repeating 6-bit code (001011) that is located in odd frames 1 through 11. Each CRC4
multiframe is divided into two submultiframes (SMF). Each SMF consists of eight frames and contains
one 4-bit CRC4 code word. Each code word represents a data check on eight frames on data (8 frames X
256 bits/frame = 2048 bits). Each eight-frame set is called a block. Hence, each SMF is equivalent to one
block. The two 4-bit code words are located in the even frames. The CRC4 multiframe is used primarily
to assist in validating alignment at the FAS level but it could also be used to monitor error performance.
CCITT recommends that whenever more than 914 CRC4 blocks out of 1000 are received in error, then it
should be assumed that a false alignment at the FAS level has occurred.
Figure 6. CRC4 Multiframe Structure.
CAS Multiframe Structure
Figure 7 shows the CAS multiframe structure. It is made up of 16 frames and can begin on either an align or a nonalign frame. The CAS multiframe always resides in time slot 16. The first frame contains a
multiframe alignment word (0000) in the upper nibble and a set of spare and alarm bits (xyxx) in the
lower nibble. The spare bits are denoted as "x" and should be set to a 1 if they are not being used. The
alarm bit is denoted as "y" and is set to a 1 if CAS multiframe alignment is lost. The other 15 frames
contain 30 channels of signaling data as demonstrated in Figure 7. If the B, C, and D bits are not used,
then they should be set to 1, 0, and 1, respectively.
Figure 7. CAS Multiframe Structure.