Patent ID: 6163551
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
A network element (NE1) with a clock provider (SEC) which can be tuned to a reference clock (REF), a reference clock input (CI) that is connected to the clock provider (SEC) for receiving the reference clock (REF), and a number of connector units (IO1, . . . , IO4) for receiving and sending message signals (STM-N), where a clock derivation circuit is assigned to at least a part of the connector units (IO1, IO2), for deriving a clock from the message signal (STM-N) received by the pertinent connector unit, characterized byclock signal outputs (O1, O2) respectively assigned to one of the connector units (IO1, IO2) with a clock derivation circuit (TA), for sending clock signals (2M) containing the clock of the message signal (STM-N) received by the pertinent connector unit, and a quality indicator which is indicative of the accuracy of this clock, andan input (AI) for receiving instructions (ANW), where the instructions (ANW) include quality indicators to be transmitted by the network element (NE1) to the individual connector units (IO1, . . . , IO4).