Calnex Paragon-X software update

X.10.18 (SUS-12X release)

SUS release notes

V1 August 2012

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Contents: Sections 1-14: new features Section 15: notes and issues To check the current software version installed, select

Help -> About Paragon Remote Client on the Paragon-X GUI.

X.10.18 adds the following features:

1. Simultaneous impair and measure

2. Simultaneous Sync-E wander generation and 1588 PDV replay

3. ToD display

4. 1pps accuracy cal factor

5. Wander Analysis Tool - general improvements

6. Wander Analysis Tool - Floor Packet Population measurements

7. Wander Analysis Tool – NTP metrics

8. Wander Analysis Tool – additional clock metrics

9. Wander Analysis Tool – Phase Transient masks

10. IPv4 structure in test packets

11. File converter tool

12. 1588v2 Announce message clock class graph

13. Cumulative distribution function in PDF tool

14. Cable SFP operation

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1. Simultaneous Impair and Measure

1588v2 slave clock testing is centred on ITU-T G.8261 requirements for slave recovered clock outputs to meet prescribed performance limits in the presence of test PDV profiles on the 1588 packet side. Previous revisions of Paragon-X have required the use of two instruments, one to impair and the other to measure. SUS-12X allows both operations with one instrument.

The function appears as an extra setting under the Operating Mode workflow key. Selecting Measure will allow simultaneous capture of PDV and TIE measurements or generation/replay of impairments. Selecting Measure + Impair allows simultaneous capture of TIE measurements and generation/ replay of impairments and is only applicable to CES/1588v2/Services traffic types. In Measure + Impair configuration, PDV style measurements are disabled and the appropriate PDV measurement tick box is removed. Note, the Capture Packets facility available under the Select Flow dialog or Capture Packets icon is only available when no impairment is active.

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The Graph Context dropdown allows choice of whether a replay or capture graph is being displayed.

The following shows PDV and T1 measurements capture graphs. As mentioned above, these are available to the user at the same time as the PDV impairment replay graph by selecting the Graph Context dropdown.

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2. Simultaneous Sync-E wander generation and 1588 PDV replay

Some network configurations combine 1588v2 and Sync-E to achieve best-possible frequency and phase/ToD transfer performance.

In order to test boundary clocks and slaves using dual mechanisms in this way, it is useful to be able to stress both the packet mechanism and physical-layer mechanism simultaneously. In SUS-12X, in both 1588v2 and Sync-E operating modes, both the Add Impairments and Add Wander workflow selections remain active simultaneously (previously, Add Wander was greyed-out in 1588v2 mode).

GM BCP-X

GPS

10M/E1 REF

PPS REF

E1

pps

PTP/Time

SyncE/Freq

PTP Time

SyncE/Freq

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Sync-E wander measurement is also now possible on either Port 1 or Port 2, as selected under Configure Capture: Sync-E Wander tab. Note that the choice is either one or the other port, not both at the same time. There is also a new Sync-E sample period choice of 1ms, note that using this period generates large file sizes and so it is only recommended for transient analysis and not for long-term measurements.

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3. ToD display

1588v2 slaves (and some boundary clocks) present recovered ToD information as a serial message, qualified by the recovered 1pps marker pulse. The reference ToD input (e.g. from a GPS receiver) to a 1588v2 master clock uses the same interface type. Various formats of message exist, and most are human-readable directly from ASCII characters as dates/times. The most common serial interfaces are RS-232 or RS-422. Paragon-X directly accepts RS-232 ToD input on its GPS rear-panel connector, and can be used with Calnex’s 1pps/ToD/Frequency Converter accessory for RS-422 ToD signals. See the Paragon-X Getting Started Guide for further details, including pinouts.

The diagram above shows how the Paragon-X ToD display can be connected at point 2) or point 5) to show ToD. If connected at point 5, it is also possible to interleave the ToD message with the existing 1pps accuracy measurement.

To configure ToD display, first set up the GPS input RS-232 port. In 1588v2 operating mode, use the Setup Interface workflow key, and choose GPS interface. In this release, the port is configured for receive-only, so the parity, handshaking and DTE/DCE settings can be ignored. The baud rate, data bits and stop bits settings should be known from the DUT configuration, or can be found by trial and error until recognisable ToD messages are displayed.

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Next, use the Configure Capture workflow key to set ToD capture characteristics. The raw ToD message display box controls the characteristics of the raw capture enabled by pressing the green “T” symbol on the toolbar. For initial connection, it’s best to leave the Filter Messages box unticked, so that any characters received on the GPS connector RS-232 interface will be displayed. If Filter Messages is then ticked, the message filter settings in the box below will be applied. In this case, if Display Format is unticked, the messages will be displayed completely (so including information usually redundant for ToD purposes). If Display Format is ticked, only the date and time characters from the filtered message type will be displayed.

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In the Message Filter Validate with 1pps box is ticked, the filtered message type will only be displayed if the message meets the condition of starting >1ms after a 1pps pulse on the 1pps measuring input and finishing <500ms after the same pulse. If the Operating Mode: Display Time of Day measurements box is ticked, filtered ToD messages will be interleaved in the 1pps Accuracy measurement result table. (Note: It’s a feature of the current release that ToD messages cannot be displayed in Measure + Impair mode unless the user selects the Measure mode and configures ToD and then switches modes to Measure + Impair mode).

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4. 1pps accuracy cal factor

The 1pps accuracy measurement is the time of the rising edge (50% point) of the instrument 1pps measuring input minus the time of the rising edge (50% point) of the 1pps reference input. Therefore, a positive value means that the 1pps measuring pulse occurs after the 1pps reference pulse. The measurement calibration entered here is added to the reference pulse rising edge time, so if the signal path length to the reference input is larger than the path length to the measuring input, enter a negative value to compensate. If the reference path length is shorter, use a positive value. For path differences due only to cable length difference, use 0.004us per metre of cable difference. Equivalent path length for active devices in the reference or measuring paths must be determined by other means.

The 1pps accuracy cal factor is entered on the Configure Capture:1pps Accuracy tab.

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5. Wander Analysis Tool – general improvements

SUS-12X brings a completely new look and feel to the Wander Analysis Tool user interface making it much easier to use. There are extensive help sections explaining the maths behind each metric with help provided on the different Packet Selection and Bandwidth Filtering methods utilised for Packet Metrics.

Additional metrics have been added along with Phase Transient masks. These are explained in the following sections. The various results graphs are now selected using tabs, there is improved graph zooming and the ability to import and export trace has also been added as per the diagrams shown below:

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6. Wander Analysis Tool – Floor Packet Population measurements

Floor Packet Population is an important new packet metric and is a measurement based on PDV (Packet Delay Variation) source data. Floor Packet Population is defined by ITU-T G.8261.1 as the PDV network limit for Frequency Synchronization. The measurement is based on a Hypothetical Reference Model (HRM). There are two models HRM-1 and HRM-2. HRM-1 consists of 10 nodes connected via 3 x 10Gb/s and 7 x 1Gb/s links. HRM-2 consists of 5 nodes connected via 1 x 10Gb/s and 4 x 1Gb/s links followed by either DSL, PON or microwave links.

HRM-1: ITU-T G.8261.1 specifies that for HRM-1 the PDV network limit should be measured using a Window interval of 200 seconds. (The decision on whether to use a stepped window rather than a sliding window is for further study.) The cluster range is fixed at 150 microseconds. Using these settings the FPP (Floor Packet Percentage) must be greater than 1%. This means that for any 200second window interval at least 1% of transmitted timing packets must arrive within a fixed cluster starting at the observed floor delay with a range of 150 microseconds. The following diagram illustrates this graphically.

HRM-2: The PDV network limit for the HRM-2 model is for further study by the ITU-T.

The four additional packet metrics are as follows are as follows:

FPP: Floor Packet Percent – this is the key ITU-T G.8261.1 parameter.

FPC: Floor Packet Count

FPR: Floor Packet Rate

pktFFO: Packet Filtered Fractional Frequency Offset

The maths is shown in the Wander Analysis Tool Help screen. Click the icon to reveal the Help:

The maths for Fractional frequency Offset is shown below. Click the icon to reveal the Help:

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ITU-T G.8260 provides more details on the maths and methodology around PDV metrics including Floor Packet Population and pktFFO. In order to make the measurement, using the Calnex Wander Analysis Tool, import the PDV source data. Ensure the Window Size is 200seconds, Window Step Size is 200seconds* and the Floor Delta (Cluster Range) is 150 microseconds.

The results are shown graphically and compared against the ITU-T 1% limit with a PASS/FAIL

indicator as shown above.

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7. Wander Analysis Tool - NTP metrics

NTP metrics is also added to the Wander Analysis Tool in this release. The NTP metrics are packet metrics based on Client PDV, Server PDV and RTD data. In order to make NTP metrics measurements you first of all need to capture NTP data and then send the selected NTP PDV data to the Wander Analysis Tool for metrics measurements.

Import the data into the Wander Analysis Tool by using the Graph, Wander Analysis (NTP) selection shown above. Choose the NTP PDV data of interest i.e. Client PDV or Server PDV or RTD. Make NTP Packet Metrics measurements such as pktMTIE / pktTDEV. This allows correlation with clock based results such as MTIE/TDEV measurements. Once the data is imported into the Wander Analysis Tool, using the steps above, select PktMTIE and PktTDEV, press Calculate and the Wander Analysis Tool will then display the result alongside the chosen clock mask.

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In order, to make other NTP Packet Metrics measurements such as MAFE, simply select MAFE, press Calculate and the Wander Analysis Tool will then display the result alongside the chosen mask. The following is an example of a MAFE measurement using Client PDV data. The results can be compared against the NSN HRM-1, NSN HRM-2 or a 16ppb MAFE mask.

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8. Wander Analysis Tool – Additional clock metrics

SUS-12X also adds additional clock metrics to the existing MTIE and TDEV clock metrics. The following are the new clock metrics measurements:

ClkMAFE: Graphical display of MAFE (Maximum Average Frequency Error) results based on clock TIE source data. The key benefit is being able to correlate clock results with the MAFE packet metric and to verify PASS/FAIL performance against the MAFE masks.

ClkFFO: Graphical display of ClkFFO (Fractional Frequency Offset) results based on TIE source data.

The MAFE maths is shown in the Wander Analysis Tool Help screen. Click the icon to reveal the

Help:

In order to make the measurement, using the Calnex Wander Analysis Tool, import the TIE source

data. The clkMAFE results are shown graphically and compared against the MAFE mask with a

PASS/FAIL indicator as shown below.

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The clkFFO maths is also shown in the same screen as the pktFFO maths. Refer to the diagram in the

previous Packet Floor Population section. The clkFFO results are shown graphically as shown below.

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9. Wander Analysis Tool - Phase Transient Masks

This release brings a new type of mask to make phase transient testing much easier. The mask is based ON THER Phase Transient specified in ITU-T G.8262 and also proposed for ITU-T G.8273.2. This test is to simulate the reference being lost due to a failure where there is a second reference available simultaneously. The ITU-T standard stipulates that the

Output Phase Variation must not exceed: delta t + 5*10-8 x S seconds (where S <=15secs)

An example test with the ITU-T G.8262 mask is shown below. The user can visually drag the mask to the point of the transition and then ensure that the phase transient result remains below the mask therefore providing an easy PASS/FAIL indication.

Select Graph, Pkt/TIE data, Show ITU-T G.8262 Phase Transient Mask

Below is an example of a real test with the ITU-T G.8262 Mask placed at the start of the phase

transient. The test below has passed as the result graph remains below the Phase Transient Mask.

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10. IPv4 structure in test packets

SUS-12X adds IPv4 structure on top of the existing Ethernet structure in Paragon-X test packets. The test packet function is intended primarily for Sync-E jitter tolerance failure detection, and for high-accuracy latency measurements on devices. IPv4 structure makes it possible to obtain packet continuity through a wider range of DUT types.

The TestPackets tab in the Packet Generation window now contains IPv4 fields. The ones which are settable are displayed in normal font; those which are fixed are displayed in greyed font. The index value displayed against each field uses the format byteoffset.bitoffset(length in bits). The Hex/Binary Entry Format selection applies only to fields with integer numbers of bytes, all other fields are displayed unconditionally in binary format.

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11. File converter tool

Previous SUS versions used a scheme where the Paragon-X application maintained awareness of all previous version file formats, and could identify file versions in order to read any version directly. In SUS-12X, the scheme has changed such that a separate file converter tool exists. The tool converts legacy format files to the current file format. The tool may be run by the user directly in single or batch mode, but is also automatically called if the user attempts to load a file not already in the latest format.

The new file is automatically renamed with a suffix indicating that it is new.

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12. 1588v2 Announce message clock class graph

In 1588v2 mode, the Graph drop-down includes a tool to display Announce message clock class as a function of received packet number.

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13. Cumulative distribution function in PDF tool

The existing PDF tool is enhanced to allow distributions to be shown absolutely or cumulatively. The selection is from the View dropdown within the tool:

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14. Cable SFP operation

Previous versions of Paragon-X restricted SFP operation to optical devices, which meant that SFP patch cable assemblies could not be used.

SUS-12X revises the interface selection and allows the condition that an SFP device identifies itself as other than optical.

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15. Notes and issues 1. Wireshark version – use version 1.4.9 supplied on Paragon-X installation CD. Later versions

may appear to work but will cause problems in some applications.

2. Simultaneously sending ESMC messages and test packets at 10G rate with test packet size 1518 bytes may cause packet loss at high utilization settings. If this happens, reduce packet size and/or utilization.

3. TC latency tool – launch tool first, before sub-selecting individual message types on main GUI, to avoid corrupting data presented by latency tool.

4. In OAM operating mode, the front-panel 10MHz reference output signal is unavailable. Use a BNC T-piece to tap the input reference clock to the Paragon-X.

5. Replay of profiles >16,777,215 packets will cause replay to stop at that packet limit. The limit applies separately to each direction of replay. The PDV join tool could create profiles that exceed this limit.

6. In 1588v2 operating mode, multi-flow replay, generating a variable delay latency profile with magnitude >9,000us will generate unintended sequence errors.

7. In NTP mode, if a .csv file is exported while a PDV graph is being displayed, it will be corrupted if reloaded. Either select IPG graph for display before export as .csv, or export as .cpd.

8. The PDV generation file “g8261_tc17a_10us_forward_SYNC_128pps_20100531.zip” on the Calnex website contained an error. It has now been corrected. Download the latest version “g8261_tc17a_10us_forward_SYNC_128pps_20120630.zip” and delete older versions.

9. 1pps accuracy table displays red-highlighted blanks (previously was red-highlighted zeros) when no measurement pulse is detected.

10. The WAT application can now be started from the main Paragon-X application Graph drop-down unconditionally. Once launched, a file can be selected and imported for analysis.

11. Overall GUI layout has changed and some workflow buttons are renamed

12. Interface selection is different: all choices are by radio-buttons and no drop-downs are used.

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13. For networked applications of Paragon-X, the recommended configuration is to employ a local controller which runs the Paragon-X application, and then to use standard remote tools to access the local controller over a network. It is not recommended to access the Paragon-X instrument directly over a network. See Paragon-X getting Started Guide and Calnex application note on Paragon-X PC specs and management for more details.

14. In Measure & Impair operating mode the latency file cannot be exported as the Export selection is greyed out. The solution is to select a measurement such as Sync-E Wander, E1 Wander or 1pps Accuracy. The Export selection is now available.

15. In Measure & Impair operating mode the ToD messages cannot be displayed unless the user selects the Measure mode and configures ToD and then switches modes to Measure + Impair mode.

16. In Measure & Impair operating mode if the user stop capturing whilst impairing or stops impairing whilst capturing, the Impairment status line on the bottom of the User Interface window shows Status: Idle while impairing or capturing. The Paragon-X’s own instrument status screen also shows Status: Idle.

17. Only the Port2 Replay graph appears in the lower graph if Simultaneous Measurement and Impairment is active. If the user wants to see additional measurements then the way to do this is to launch an additional graph from Port1 measurement graph by choosing Select Graph, Open in New Window. This will bring up an additional window where the user can choose the required measurement to display.

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Calnex Solutions Ltd

Herkimer House

Mill Road Enterprise Park

Linlithgow

West Lothian EH49 7SF

United Kingdom

tel: +44 (0) 1506 671 416

email: info@calnexsol.com

www.calnexsol.com

All information subject to change, without notice