Telemetry Networks
Features
- Legacy Equipment Consolidation
- IP-Based Management and Diagnostics
- Remote Element Visibility
- Alarm Isolation
- Truck Roll and Other OpEx Savings
- Rack Space Savings
Introduction
Most large network operators – including mobile wireless providers, wireline carriers, infrastructure-based service providers, utilities, and government agencies – are under constant financial and competitive pressure to improve the quality, breadth and profitability of the services they offer. Yet the complexity of operating, maintaining, and securing wide-area telecom and data control networks has only increased over time. Network administrators must monitor and control numerous heterogeneous network elements at remote, unmanned locations with limited connectivity. The remote elements at these sites - often spanning multiple generations of equipment and overlay infrastructure - may each require a separate management platform and legacy communication protocol, driving up site access equipment needs and overall administrative costs.
To alleviate these limitations, an effective and flexible remote monitoring and control or telemetry solution must allow plug-and-play operation to quickly accommodate future services; enable quick, efficient access to remote network elements; support remote IP connectivity to each site and each device; permit protocol/topology segmentation for security reasons; and integrate easily with third-party network performance platforms.
Common examples include the telemetry needs at mobile wireless cell sites and SCADA-based monitoring and control of remote sub-stations within utility networks. A mobile wireless carrier’s network is illustrated below.
Typical Mobile Wireless Telemetry Environment
An Integrated Telemetry Concentration Solution
The DNX-1u Access Gateway, an intelligent platform that combines sophisticated telemetry capabilities with multiple transmission interfaces and cross-connect functionality, is Sycamore’s answer to the telemetry challenge.
Whether installed in a mobile network BTS/Node B, a utility sub-station, or a carrier POP, a DNX-1u makes it possible to manage virtually every remote device from a centralized location.
The DNX-1u incorporates analog inputs to monitor signal levels and generate alarms when configurable thresholds are exceeded. Contact closures can be configured as general-purpose outputs and remotely toggled, enabling recycling of devices. The DNX-1u can also send alarm notifications via SNMP for integration with other network performance, monitoring and management tools.
For improved operational efficiency, a service technician can quickly and easily access the central network via the DNX-1u’s Ethernet/IP connection to get e-mail, check a work order, or conduct a remote test.
For mission-critical, high-availability telemetry applications, the DNX-1u offers multiple T1/E1 facility protection schemes, including Automatic Protection Switching (APS) and end-to-end path protection when used with the ENvision Plus Network Management System (NMS).
The DNX family scales beyond the compact DNX-1u for applications requiring increased transmission capacity and interface options. The DNX-11/88 series is ideal for intermediate and centralized grooming and for consolidating medium to large telemetry networks onto narrowband and broadband facilities.
Benefits of an Integrated Approach
- Better Informed Technicians – Pre-dispatch alarm isolation and analysis
- Faster Service Restoration – Problem resolution in minutes, rather than hours
- Fewer Truck Rolls – Reduce or eliminate unnecessary site visits
- Reduced Operational Expenses – Shrink truck roll, travel time, and other related expenses
- Significant Soft Savings – Minimize revenue losses due to service outages or dissatisfied customers
Example Network Elements
- Power Management Systems – Power distribution, battery back-up and rectifiers
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems – Temperature and humidity stability for environmentally sensitive site equipment
- Access Control Systems – Card readers (entry and exit), door locking mechanisms, and logging software record who entered/exited and when
- Surveillance Systems – Closed-circuit video and Ethernet-based Webcams provide 'active' remote security and visually identify visitors before permitting site access
DNX-1u Access Gateway – An Integrated, Versatile and Compact Telemetry Solution
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