The demand for mobile connectivity is moving underground. The penetration of smart
phones and mobile Internet has only increased the numbers of subway passengers
worldwide who don't want to lose connectivity once the train enters the tunnel.
To provide always-on data connectivity, Node Bs or Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have
to be installed throughout the subway system.
RAD Data Communications offers a solution for backhauling traffic between BTSs over IP.
This is especially appealing for rail systems that already have fiber running between their
stations for transmitting signaling, train schedules and passenger advisories for overhead
displays.
RAD’s ETX-204A is a Carrier Ethernet demarcation device delivering SLA-based services
over native Ethernet access. In this application, it is installed at Node B or BTS sites,
where it combines cell-site gateway with Carrier Ethernet demarcation functionalities to
provide end-to-end service control and performance management for 3G, HSPA and LTE
services across packet backhaul. Incorporating RAD’s SyncToP platform of synchronization
and timing over packet feature set, the ETX-204A utilizes Synchronous Ethernet and
1588-2008 to ensure highly accurate traffic delivery in packet-based mobile backhaul
networks while cutting costs by minimizing the equipment needed for timing and
demarcation.
End-to-end visibility across the entire service path helps the subway operator to localize
service-affecting faults and determine their origin – without requiring expensive truck
rolls or service shut-downs to do so.
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Features
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Benefits
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Combines cell-site gateway with Carrier
Ethernet demarcation functionalities
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Provides end-to-end service control and
performance management for 3G, HSPA and LTE
services across packet backhaul
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Synchronization platform and timing over
packet feature set
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Ensures highly accurate traffic delivery in
packet-based mobile backhaul networks
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Remote and automatic fault localization
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Reduces the need for costly on-site inspections
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The ETX-204A offers advanced SLA assurance tools, including per-flow daily statistics reporting. This allows the subway authorities to execute effective capacity planning to overcome the “peak to mean” gap, so that bandwidth is added only when needed based on actual usage trends, a significant benefit during morning and evening rush hours. Remote and automatic fault localization provides immediate notification and containment of location-specific service problems. This asset makes the ETX-204A especially convenient for deployment in rail tunnels that are not easily accessible by technicians, or where regular onsite inspection would be prohibitively expensive or require service interruptions.
The same solution, of course, can also be used to backhaul voice throughout subway tunnels.
