What Is This Tool?
This tool converts data transfer units from STS48 (signal), a high-capacity SONET signal, to Virtual Tributary 6 (payload), a smaller standardized container used for carrying lower-rate payloads within synchronous optical networks.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in STS48 (signal) units you want to convert.
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Select STS48 (signal) as the source unit and Virtual Tributary 6 (payload) as the target unit.
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Click the convert button to see the equivalent value in Virtual Tributary 6 (payload).
Key Features
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Converts STS48 (signal) units to Virtual Tributary 6 (payload) units based on established telecommunications standards.
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Supports breakdown of large SONET signals into manageable lower-rate payload containers.
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Provides multiple example conversions for user guidance.
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Browser-based and easy to use with no installation required.
Examples
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2 STS48 (signal) equals 829.44 Virtual Tributary 6 (payload).
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0.5 STS48 (signal) equals 207.36 Virtual Tributary 6 (payload).
Common Use Cases
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Carrier long-haul and metro backbone links to transport aggregated traffic between central offices.
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High-capacity interconnections between core routers or large data centers.
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Mapping legacy PDH circuits like DS1/E1 for transport over SONET networks.
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Traffic grooming to combine multiple low-rate services within STS-N payloads.
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Carrying voice and other low-bandwidth customer circuits in larger SONET/SDH systems.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure your network equipment supports VT6 multiplexing before conversion.
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Use this tool to plan traffic grooming efficiently by breaking high-capacity signals into sub-containers.
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Verify synchronous network operation to match the assumed SONET framing in conversions.
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Leverage the conversion examples to validate your calculations.
Limitations
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Conversion assumes that the network operates synchronously with standard SONET framing.
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Equipment compatibility with VT6 multiplexing is required for practical deployment.
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Rate granularity is fixed; you cannot allocate partial VT6 payloads independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does STS48 (signal) represent in telecommunications?
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STS48 (signal) is a SONET signal level corresponding to OC-48, providing a synchronous transport rate of 2.48832 Gbit/s for carrying multiplexed digital payloads over optical fiber.
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What is Virtual Tributary 6 (payload) used for?
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Virtual Tributary 6 (payload) is a SONET/SDH sub-container used to carry defined lower-rate PDH or plesiochronous payloads within a larger synchronous payload envelope.
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Why convert from STS48 to Virtual Tributary 6?
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Users convert to break down high-capacity SONET signals into manageable lower-rate payloads for efficient grooming, mapping, and transport of legacy and low-rate circuits.
Key Terminology
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STS48 (signal)
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A SONET signal level equivalent to OC-48 with a synchronous transport rate of 2.48832 Gbit/s, used for high-capacity optical transport.
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Virtual Tributary 6 (payload)
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A standardized sub-container within SONET/SDH designed to carry lower-rate plesiochronous or PDH payloads for grooming and multiplexing.
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SONET
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Synchronous Optical Networking, a standard for optical telecommunications transport.
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PDH
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Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy, a telecommunication network transmission technology used before synchronous networks.