Digital Signal Designation is the classification of digital bit rates in the digital multiplex hierarchy used in transport of signals from one location to another in telecommunications.
The DS technically refers to the rate and format of the signal, while the T designation refers to the equipment providing the signals. In practice, "DS" and "T" are used synonymously; for example, DS1 and T1, DS3 and T3.
Digital signal line rates
North America Digital Signal Designation Bandwidth/data rate Channels (DS0s) Carrier designation DS0 64 kbit/s 1 DS1 1.544 Mbit/s 24 T1 DS1 3.152 Mbit/s 48 T1c DS2 6.312 Mbit/s 96 T2 DS3 44.736 Mbit/s 672 T3 DS4 274.176 Mbit/s 4032 T4 DS5 400.352 Mbit/s 5760 T5
Europe Digital Signal Designation Bandwidth/data rate Channels (SL0s) Carrier designation Signal Level 0 64 kbit/s 1 SL1 2.048 Mbit/s 30 E1 SL2 8.448 Mbit/s 120 E2 SL3 34.368 Mbit/s 480 E3 SL4 139.264 Mbit/s 1920 E4 SL5 565.148 Mbit/s 7680 E5
Optical carrier See SONET for more information.
References