Basic Rate Interface - 4B3T Line Coding

4B3T Line Coding

4B3T is a standard used in Europe and elsewhere in the world. 4B3T is a "block code" that uses Return-to-Zero states on the line. 4B3T converts each group of 4 data bits into 3 "ternary" line signal states (3 symbols). The symbol rate is 3/4ths of the data rate (120 kbaud).

4B3T is defined in ETR 080, Annex B and other national standards, like Germany's 1TR220. 4B3T can be transmitted reliably at up to 4.2 km over 0.4 mm cable or up to 8.2 km over 0.6 mm cable. An internal termination impedance of 150ohms is presented to the line at each end of the U-interface. Echo cancellation techniques allow full-duplex operation on the line.

In 4B3T coding, there are three states presented to line: a positive pulse (+), a negative pulse (-), or a zero-state (no pulse: 0). An analogy here is that operation is similar to B8ZS or HDB3 in T1/E1 systems, except that there is an actual gain in the information rate by coding 16 possible binary states to one of 27 ternary states.

There are many ways to perform this conversion, but BRI standards define a code known as MMS43 (Modified Monitoring State 43).

One requirement for line transmission is that there should be no DC build-up on the line, so there are some code substitutions based upon the transmission of the previous bits.