Symmetricom Delivers 'Sync Audit in a Box' Through TimeMonitor Testing & Analysis Tools

Business Wire, April 29, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2002

New TimeMonitor Solution Dramatically Improves Telcos Ability to Test

Network Synchronization Through Multi-Point Data Measurement and

Analysis

Symmetricom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYMM) today announced the introduction of TimeMonitor Analyzer and Measurement Software, a solution that brings together synchronization measurement data from a variety of sources and performs a wide range of analysis functions for telecom carriers. TimeMonitor is the first synchronization testing solution to offer multi-vendor support, and provides unmatched connectivity, flexibility and expandability. As an affordable alternative to current methods of synchronization network testing, TimeMonitor costs up to 50 percent less than current solutions on the market.

Symmetricom is the leading provider of sync audits for telecom carriers through the company's Global Services Division, and has built the TimeMonitor solution based on years of conducting sync audits for customers in the field. Sync audits are used to pinpoint the source of unexplained or suspected timing errors and to anticipate the effects on introducing new network technologies or major network expansions. A sync audit gathers data by measuring potential sync "hot spots" and provides an in-depth technical analysis and recommended solution plan.

"Anything that carriers can do to ensure the peak performance of their networks will save them time and money both in the near term and in the long run. At a time when every eye is watching expenditures, TimeMonitor is an ideal solution for conducting high-quality testing and analysis at a fraction of the cost that used to be required," said Rick Stroupe, executive vice president and general manager at Symmetricom. "Unlike other testing tools available today, TimeMonitor's superior functionality, ease of deployment and low cost present a compelling value for carriers to maintain the performance of their networks on an ongoing basis rather than incurring the cost to fix major problems that could have been prevented or repaired on a scheduled basis."

Carriers must frequently test network performance to ensure the highest quality of service and data throughput to end customers. As networks operate, they naturally develop characteristics known in the industry as "jitter" and "wander" which cause many types of service degradations, including poor voice quality and low data throughput. Left unchecked, jitter and wander will cause severe network problems, even service outages. Jitter and wander can be readily identified through testing and analysis with TimeMonitor. The solution is used on laptop computers, simplifying the testing and analysis of networks in the field and, providing added functionality and flexibility to network operators and field technicians. In addition, TimeMonitor integrates with Symmetricom's TimePictra, a scaleable management platform for controlling multiple vendors' synchronization network elements on a local and global scale.

Key Features and Benefits of TimeMonitor

Most solutions on the market today are geared towards single-signal analysis, and none support data input from equipment from multiple vendors. TimeMonitor allows for a higher sample rate than competitive offerings and is the only solution to support connectivity to GPIB, RS-232 and TCP-IP. In addition, TimeMonitor features:

-- Expandability: This industry first feature allows up to eight counters to be
supported with one computer and the TimeMonitor software.

-- Unsurpassed analysis capabilities: Provides all sync analysis techniques
including Phase/TIE, MTIE, TDEV, Allan Variance, phase power spectral density,
seven different frequency computations and delta phase. Also provides enhanced
analysis modeling including frequency offset removal, frequency drift removal,
MTIE/TDEV on zoomed sections of data, extracting sections of data, combining
data files, decimating data, etc.

-- Multiple signal analysis: Multiple phase, frequency, MTIE and TDEV plots can
be placed on the same graph for comparison and phase and frequency subtraction
is supported.

-- Multi-vendor counter support: Agilent 53131A/53132A, SRS SR620, and Fluke
PM6680B/6681 counters can be used with the TimeMonitor Measurement Software.

-- Flexible signal and sample rates: 1 pps, DS1, E1, CC, 4 kHz, 8 kHz, 64
kHz/kbit, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, DS3, and higher and everything in between are
supported.

Synchronization is Critical Network Infrastructure Technology

Synchronization is critical for the delivery of all network traffic, whether wireline or wireless, and ensures that "five nines" quality of service continues to be met as carriers migrate their global networks from traditional circuit-switched systems to IP and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) packet networks. As business and residential users increasingly rely on broadband access and services such as integrated voice and data, the need for carrier-class synchronization continues to move to the network edge.