What Is This Tool?
This tool allows users to convert from STS3 (payload), the data portion of a SONET STS‑3 frame, to Virtual Tributary 2 (signal), a SONET/SDH format carrying 2.048 Mbps payloads, facilitating network planning and management in telecom infrastructures.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in STS3 (payload) that you want to convert
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Select STS3 (payload) as the source unit
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Choose Virtual Tributary 2 (signal) as the target unit
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent number of VT2 channels
Key Features
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Converts STS3 (payload) capacity to equivalent Virtual Tributary 2 (signal) channels
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Uses standard SONET/SDH data transfer definitions
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Supports telecom network provisioning and capacity planning tasks
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Provides conversion examples for ease of understanding
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Browser-based and user-friendly interface
Examples
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1 STS3 (payload) equals 65.25 Virtual Tributary 2 (signal)
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3 STS3 (payload) equals 195.75 Virtual Tributary 2 (signal)
Common Use Cases
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Provisioning and capacity planning for OC-3 carrier backbone links
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Transporting E1 (2.048 Mbps) circuits over a SONET backbone
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Configuring SONET multiplexers or digital cross-connects to groom PDH channels
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Billing and service level agreement measurement for leased-line transport services
Tips & Best Practices
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Verify that the SONET payload sizes conform to standard definitions before converting
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Use conversions for network design and traffic engineering involving SONET and PDH circuits
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Check conversion results against specific network configurations to ensure accuracy
Limitations
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Applicable only for standard SONET payload configurations; variations may affect results
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Specific to SONET/SDH systems and not valid for other network types or protocols
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Does not account for differences in framing overhead or custom network implementations
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does STS3 (payload) represent?
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STS3 (payload) denotes the user-data part of an STS-3 SONET frame excluding framing and overhead bytes.
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What is Virtual Tributary 2 (signal) used for?
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Virtual Tributary 2 carries 2.048 Mbps E1 signals inside higher-rate SONET frames, enabling multiplexing of lower-rate PDH circuits.
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Why convert STS3 (payload) to Virtual Tributary 2 (signal)?
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Conversion helps translate high-rate payloads into equivalent low-rate VT2 channels for efficient network provisioning and billing.
Key Terminology
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STS3 (payload)
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User-data portion of a SONET STS-3 frame excluding framing and overhead bytes, with a line rate of 155.52 Mbit/s.
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Virtual Tributary 2 (signal)
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A SONET/SDH sub-rate signal format carrying a 2.048 Mbps payload (E1 channel) inside higher-rate SONET frames.
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SONET
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Synchronous Optical Network, a standard for optical telecommunications transport.
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PDH
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Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy, a technology for transporting digital signals.