AbstractThe characteristics of timing signals at the output of autonomous and slave clocks are thoroughly investigated: first, a mathematical model of timing signals is introduced, then models for describing autonomous and slave clocks are presented whereby an analysis of their behaviour in a synchronization network is carried out. Further, two commonly used measurement configurations are described in order to identify the measurement set‐ups more useful for telecommunication applications; the most frequently used quantities for characterizing time and frequency stability are introduced and deeply investigated. Finally, the stability quantities behaviour both for autonomous and slave clocks is studied, with the aim at providing synchronization network designers with powerful tools for network planning and for assessing network performanc