Pdh vs sdh describes difference between pdh and sdh

Level
data rate in Japan
0	0.064 Mbps
1	1.544 Mbps
2	6.312 Mbps
3	32.064 Mbps
4	97.928 Mbps

Following are the limitations of PDH:

•  In PDH, different frame is used for transmission and in data layer. Hence multiplexing and de-multiplexing is very complex.
• Accessing lower tributary requires the whole system to be de-multiplexed.
• The maximum capacity for PDH is 566 Mbps, which is limited in bandwidth.
• Tolerance is allowed in bit rates.
• PDH allows only Point-to-Point configuration.
• PDH does not support Hub.
• Every manufacturer has its own standards; PDH also has different multiplexing hierarchies making it difficult to integrate interconnecting networks together.

SDH

As PDH was not scalable to support high capacity bandwidth and hence was not suitable to accomodate growing traffic need. SONET was developed as American Standard while SDH as European Standard.

SDH supports various topologies such as point to point, ring, star, linear bus etc. It uses TDM and octet multiplexing. It uses extremely precise timings. It employs both electrical and optical specifications.

In SDH, digital multiplexer's inputs are of same bit rate and are derived from common clock, hence are in phase. Hence it is synchronous.

Word(group of bits) Interleaving is used in SDH to combine digital signals.

SDH uses basic rate of 155.52 Mbps and four times multiples of this i.e. 622.08 Mbps and 2488.32Mbps. Basic SDH rate of 155.52 is also known as STM-1. STM stands for Synchronous Transport Module. SDH is referred as SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) in USA due to optical interfaces used. Figure-3 depicts table mentioning SONET and SDH levels with their respective data rates.

As per CCITT, any of PDH rates upto 140 Mbps can be integrated with SDH rates up to 155.52 Mbps.

Following are the merits or advantages of SDH:

• A more simplified multiplexing and demultiplexing technique.
• Synchronous networking and SDH supports multipoint networking.
• Capability of transporting existing PDH signals.
•  Easy growth to higher bit rates which enhances the administration and maintenance process.
• It is capable of transporting broadband signals.
• It is multivendor and supports different operators.
• It provides network transport services on LAN such as video conferencing, and interactive multimedia.
• Optical fibre bandwidth can be increased without limit in SDH.
•  Switching protection to traffic is offered by rings.
• SDH allows quick recovery from failure.