Analysis of time fluctuations in synchronous information networks

The design of a future digital communication network for West Germany is to be based upon the utilization of a synchronous concept. The synchronization system will be subjected to many disturbances, which will cause a deterioration in the synchronization quality. The noise effects have to a large extent random characteristics and can, therefore, be taken into account on the basis of the theory of stochastic processes. The present investigation has the objective to obtain quality criteria which will make it possible to compare different network structures and timing pulse distribution strategies. The most suitable quality criterion is found to be the distribution density function of the phase time fluctuations, which can be determined on the basis of the stochastic (or kinetic) equation. The current investigation provides the basis for the analytical determination of the distribution density of the phase time fluctuations and their increments in synchronous systems. Attention is also given to the experimental approaches for the determination of phase time fluctuations.