C9130AXE-STA-T Access Point: Why Choose It?,
What Is the Cisco C9130AXE-STA-T? The ...
Product Overview and Functional Role
The Cisco ONS-SYNC-CBL-100= is a synchronization distribution cable designed to ensure sub-microsecond timing accuracy in Cisco’s ONS 15454, NCS 2000, and ASR 9000 platforms. This cable enables precise distribution of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), PTP (Precision Time Protocol), and SyncE (Synchronous Ethernet) timing signals across multi-chassis deployments, critical for 5G RAN, financial trading networks, and power grid synchronization. Cisco positions this solution as foundational for networks requiring ITU-T G.8273.1 Class C compliance and resilience against phase transient disruptions.
Technical Specifications and Design Innovations
- Connector Types: Dual SMB (SubMiniature version B) to SMB, 50Ω impedance-matched.
- Cable Type: Low-skew RG-316 coaxial, shielded with double-braided tin-plated copper.
- Frequency Range: 1 MHz to 6 GHz, optimized for 10 MHz and 1 PPS (Pulse Per Second) signals.
- Phase Stability: ≤1 ps/meter thermal-induced phase variation (-40°C to 85°C).
- Length: 1 meter (3.28 ft), with customizable options up to 10 meters.
- Compliance: ITU-T G.703, ANSI/TIA-568.2-D, and NEBS Level 3.
The cable’s hermetic connector seals prevent oxidation in high-humidity environments, while its time-domain reflectometry (TDR)-optimized design minimizes signal reflections (<-40 dB).
Key Deployment Scenarios
1. 5G Open RAN Synchronization
Distributes Grandmaster Clock (GMC) timing from a central ONS 15454 to O-RU (Open Radio Unit) clusters, achieving ±110 ns accuracy for 3GPP 5G NR TDD fronthaul.
2. High-Frequency Trading (HFT) Networks
Ensures ≤500 ns timestamping variance between collocated ASR 9000 routers executing algorithmic trades, complying with MiFID II latency reporting rules.
3. Smart Grid PMU (Phasor Measurement Unit) Networks
Synchronizes IEEE C37.118 synchrophasors across substations, maintaining <1 µs alignment for wide-area grid stability.
Installation and Calibration Guidelines
- Impedance Matching:
- Verify 50Ω termination at both ends using a vector network analyzer (VNA).
- Avoid mixing with 75Ω BNC cables to prevent standing wave ratio (SWR) >1.5.
- Grounding:
- Use Cisco ONS-GND-1U grounding kits to eliminate ground loop-induced phase noise.
- Maintain ≤0.1Ω resistance between chassis ground points.
- Routing Best Practices:
- Separate from AC power lines by ≥30 cm to minimize 50/60 Hz induction.
- Secure with hook-and-loop straps to avoid stress on connectors.
Critical Alert: Exceeding 10 dBm input power saturates the cable’s dielectric, causing harmonic distortion (THD >-25 dBc).
Addressing Common Operational Concerns
Q: Can this cable support legacy T1/E1 synchronization (1.544 MHz/2.048 MHz)?
A: Yes, but with ≤0.5 UI jitter only if terminated with Cisco ONS-SYNC-TERM-50 impedance adapters.
Q: How to diagnose “Holdover” alarms in PTP grandmaster chains?
A: Measure end-to-end phase error with a phase analyzer (e.g., Symmetricom xSync). Replace cables showing >3 ns/meter skew.
Q: Is the cable compatible with third-party GNSS receivers like u-blox ZED-F9T?
A: Limited to 1 PPS rise time <5 ns; validate with show ptp parent-properties on Cisco IOS-XR.
Performance Benchmarks
| Parameter | ONS-SYNC-CBL-100= | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Phase Noise @ 10 MHz | -160 dBc/Hz | -145 dBc/Hz |
| Propagation Delay | 5.1 ns/meter | 5.4 ns/meter |
| Temperature Stability | ±0.5 ppb/°C | ±2 ppb/°C |
| VSWR (1–6 GHz) | 1.05:1 | 1.2:1 |
Procurement and Authenticity Verification
Counterfeit timing cables can degrade network synchronization by introducing ps-level jitter. Source genuine ONS-SYNC-CBL-100= cables exclusively from authorized suppliers like itmall.sale. Each unit includes a Cisco Phase Stability Certificate traceable to NIST standards.
Strategic Insights: The Hidden Cost of Timing Inaccuracy
In a recent deployment for a Tier 1 mobile operator, replacing generic coaxial cables with ONS-SYNC-CBL-100= reduced 5G NR retransmissions by 22%—proving that sub-ns timing isn’t a luxury but a capacity multiplier. However, its 1-meter default length often forces operators into costly daisy-chain topologies, negating the simplicity of centralized timing architectures.
For enterprises, the cable’s value lies not in its specs but in audit readiness—regulators increasingly treat timestamp accuracy as a compliance asset. Yet, its lack of field-terminable ends perpetuates reliance on Cisco’s professional services, complicating agile upgrades. The ONS-SYNC-CBL-100= isn’t just a cable; it’s a strategic hedge against the chaos of unsynchronized time in an era where every nanosecond maps to revenue.