====================================== AXE Switching Systems - Hellfire [OMF] ====================================== Excerpts from the Ericsson' AXE manual - Translated :) and typed by Hellfire/OMF This section describes Ericsson's wide range of access network systems designed for the modernization of subscriber access networks. They can be used with Ericsson AXE local exchange, or any other local exchange equipped with the ETSI V5 standard interface or using an analogue interface. There is a choice of copper, fiber and radio technologies, so network operators can be offered the most suitable solution for each part of the access network, on the basis of factors such as speed of introduction, bandwidth, subscriber mobility and operation costs. The access network - that part of a public telecoms network that includes the local exchanges and subscriber access lines - is generally an inflexible, unreliable and very costly part of the public telecommunications network infrastructure. That must change if new generations of services are to be marketed successfully. Now that public network operators in many countries face, or will soon face, competition in network operation and service provision, there is growing pressure on economic aspects of network and service management. The access network is coming in for special attention, since this is the area of the network that must deliver a mix of services to the end-user. It is also traditionally the most costly part of the network to build, operate and maintain. (Typically, the access network with its local exchanges accounts for three quarters of network capital cost.) There are two competing economic pressures: on the one hand revenue, and on the other hand the costs of achieving that revenue. It is business traffic that generates the largest share of network revenues and profits. The figure often quoted is that 80% of revenues come from business subscribers, as compared with 20% from residential subscribers. from a customer administration, operation and maintenance viewpoint, however, the balance is the other way round. Residential access lines account for 80% of the cost, and business only 20% of the cost. Both these economic driving forces together signal the need for more advanced, more resilient access network infrastructures. They must be capable of delivering narrowband, wideband and broadband services, with higher quality, easier manageability, greater flexibility and lower lifecycle costs than today. Forecasts suggest that there will be a marked increase in fibre and radio access, while copper-based networks, especially in developing countries, will also see continued growth. Access network modernization plans must take these forecasts into account. An unpredictable future Predicting the future mix of services - and the access network technologies and architectures needed to deliver them - is impossible. Will there ever be single, multi-service, broadband subscriber accesses? Will fibre or radio be the preferred delivery technology, or will the huge installed base of copper fight off the challenge? Will the service providers of the future be niche operators, each with its own unique access network? Or will there be multi-service operators employing a whole variety of access technologies? In liberalized telecommunications markets, it is becoming clear that operators from different traditions have different approaches to access network development. Some PTOs are naturally keen to exploit their existing copper networks, and employ alternative technologies (such as high-bandwidth overlay networks or fixed radio access) wherever they are strictly justified. Mobile operators naturally seek to introduce new high-bandwidth services using cellular radio access. Cable TV operators are interested in using their coaxial and fiber-optic cable access networks for delivering a wider range of services. As the regulatory environment relaxes further and new operators enter the market, choices of technology and network architecture are likely to be almost entirely based on commercial factors. ustomer needs. To meet this requirement, Ericsson has brought together its expertise in key technologies, such as switching, transmission and radio, to create a comprehensive range of access network systems with a choice of copper, optical fibre or radio connection technologies. The systems meet virtually any access network application for residential and business services customers in urban, suburban and rural networks. Ericsson Access Network products Management: The Ericsson Access Network Management System provides computer-based monitoring and control of an entire access network - up to a theoretical limit of 100,000 users - from a central location. It is the software 'glue' that will bind the mix of Ericsson Access Network hardware elements together into a seamless network solution. Flexible multiplexers: Ericsson has a range of flexible multiplexers for business and other applications requiring a single point of access to a mixture of ISDN, PSTN and data services at bandwidths up to 2Mbit/s. There are three families of flexible multiplexers in the range: RSM, which offers basic PSTN 64kbit/s voice and data services for up to 60 subscribers; UMUX, which offers mixed voice, data and video services at up to 2Mbit/s for up to 120 subscribers; and DIAmuX, which offers mixed voice, data and video services at up to 2Mbit/s for up to 500 subscribers. ATM access: The Ericsson ATM Access Unit (AAU) brings a range of broadband business services to the access network. It can be used to provision ATM and other high-bandwidth services through a variety of customer interfaces. Virtually any business communication need can be met, including LAN interconnect, switched or unswitched data services and PBX interconnect. Passive optical networks: The Ericsson Raynet LOC2i passive optical network (PON) system provides a flexible fibre access infrastructure for a wide range of residential and business services. Intended for new networks or replacement of ageing copper networks, LOC2i offers a 'future-proof' transmission, ready for the broadband services of the future. The system supports virtually any fibre deployment architecture, including fibre-to-the-serving-area (FTTSA), fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC), fibre-to-the-building (FTTB), and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH). Cable TV distribution system: The Ericsson Raynet Video System, RVS provides an optical fiber alternative to coaxial systems for the distribution of cable television (CATV) and future broadband services. Like LOC2i, RVS supports virtually any level of fiber deployment in the network. Fiber-optic transmission systems: The Ericsson FOLT 4 x 2Mbit/s fiber-optic transmission system allows 2Mbit/s access services to be provided over high-quality, interference-free optical fiber over distances of 25km, or more. Radio in the Local Loop: Ericsson radio in the local loop (RLL) systems use cellular techniques for radio connection of fixed subscribers in urban and rural networks. Subscribers use standard telephones, and can also connect fax machines and modems. There are two RLL systems in the Ericsson Access Network product range. RAS 1000 provides PSTN service connections over analogue radio at distances up to 50km. A new RLL system called DRA 1900, based on the DECT (Digital European Cordless Telecommunications) digital radio standard, offers efficient coverage in high-density applications (several thousands of subscribers per square kilometre) at distances of up to 2.5km. Wireless Business Group Services: Using the Freeset DECT-based business cordless telephone system, portable telephone extensions can be provided for centrex-type applications, such as Ericsson's Business Group Services (BGS) package for AXE. Freeset uses digital radio technology (based on the international DECT standard) to offer a high-capacity system, able to support the high number of telephone extensions found in large offices and industrial sites, where densities can reach 50,000 users per square kilometre. Copper loop enhancement: Wire-line access networks will continue to exist, and expand, for many years to come. Ericsson has a range of copper loop enhancement products to help operators get the best out of their existing wire-line access networks. These include PCM 4, Tucom 0+2, Tucom 0+12, Digital Pair Gain systems, which allow two to twelve subscribers to share the same access line, and HDSL/ADSL transmission systems, which allow 2Mbit/s subscriber services to be carried over ordinary copper links. Standardised exchange interface With the introduction of a generic interface for all manufacturers' local exchanges, the access network may be 'decoupled' from the exchange, creating a new open market for access products and systems. Ericsson started the trend towards standardised exchange interfaces with its proprietary ESM protocol. Today Ericsson employs the ETSI V5.1 standard interface for its access network products for fiber telephony. A standardised interface to the host local exchange allows the most appropriate access node to be selected for each service requirement. All V5.1-equipped exchanges will be able to support any or all of the different access service nodes. A more detailed look at each of the access network products for use with Ericsson AXE or other vendors' local exchanges. Network operators can select the most appropriate system for each access network application, according to the needs of bandwidth and service provisioning, deployment speed, mobility, economy and manageability. Access Network Management System The Access Network Management System is one of the most important aspects of the Ericsson Access Network portfolio. The access network is changing from being a largely passive, copper-based network into a multi-service, multi-technology network, in what is becoming a fiercely competitive market. Efficient and flexible management of both the physical network and the end-user services is becoming vital to business success. Service providers must be able to meet customer demand for a range of services quickly, monitor service quality and network performance, and fix faults rapidly. Ericsson's Access Network Management System provides computer-based monitoring and control of an entire access network - up to a theoretical limit of 100,000 users - from a central location. It is the software 'glue' that will bind the mix of Ericsson Access Network hardware elements together into a seamless network solution. The system based on the successful RIDES network management system, which was initially developed for the Ericsson Raynet LOC2i passive optical network (PON) and RVS video distribution systems. The RIDES system is well proven, having had several years of real-life operation in fiber- and hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) access networks in the USA and elsewhere. The experience gained during these years means that RIDES has been developed into a system that offers not only powerful real-time control of network elements, but also supports the business needs of the service provider. It does this through features such as inventory control, network partitioning and scheduled service ordering (which allows circuits to be set up before the physical network is in place - especially useful in fast-growing networks). Remote Subscriber Multiplexer (RSM) The Remote Subscriber Multiplexer (RSM) is a well established part of the AXE switching system concept. It is a multiplexer capable of handling up to 30 subscribers, and offers a cost-effective way of extending network digitalization out to small groups of subscribers in remote locations, or supporting all subscribers in a multi-occupancy building. The RSM handles PSTN and 64kbit/s data connections. Designed for use in both rural and metropolitan networks, it concentrates the traffic to the host AXE local exchange, but does not carry out any traffic switching functions. Coinbox telephones can be supported. Any or all of the RSM subscriber lines can be connected to a PBX. Two RSMs can be installed in a single cabinet to support up to 60 subscribers. The system may be installed outdoors or indoors and offers integrated operation, administration and maintenance from the host AXE local exchange. UMUX flexible multiplexer The UMUX flexible access multiplexer system is designed to meet virtually any business and residential subscriber access requirement for voice and data services for up to 120 subscribers. Using a system of standardised, modular interface cards, UMUX can deliver a mixture of services - including PSTN, ISDN, switched data and leased lines in bandwidths ranging from 600bit/s to 2Mbit/s - from a single point of access. On the transmission side, UMUX offers 2Mbit/s copper, radio and HDSL, and 8Mbit/s optical links. The system enables new services to be introduced very quickly, and by virtue of its modular architecture, can easily be adapted to future services or new technological advances without wasting existing investments. Powerful management capabilities provide end-to-end monitoring and configuration of subscriber circuits, while G.821-standard performance monitoring and 1+1 protection switching capability ensure high service reliability. DIAmuX flexible multiplexer DIAmuX is a flexible access system that provides a mixture of accesses (including fiber) for services such as PSTN, ISDN, analogue leased lines, 2Mbit/s, nx64kbit/s and V.11/V.24 data, for up to 500 subscribers. The main application for DIAmuX is any situation in which subscribers need access to a mix of PSTN and other services. This can include mainly residential areas in which ISDN or other more advanced accesses are required by only a few subscribers, or for businesses that require mixed service access. DIAmuX provides a single access xchange is still linked to one subscriber. RVS optical fiber CATV and broadband delivery system Ericsson Raynet Video System, RVS, provides an optical fiber alternative to today's coaxial systems for the distribution of cable television (CATV) and future broadband services. It is a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) system that allows CATV operators to gain the benefits of fiber deployment while still utilising their existing coaxial access networks. RVS has a three-level system architecture with an optical trunk, a distribution system using Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, and a coaxial distribution system for the final drop to individual subscribers. It is a very cost-effective approach. A single RVS system can support up to 200,000 TV subscribers per Headend. Installation costs per subscriber are currently about the same as those for an equivalent coaxial system. The other main benefit is the inherently better quality compared with coaxial systems. This shows up in the superior signal-to-noise ratio, and the significantly higher MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures). Looking to the future, an RVS optical CATV system provides a distribution infrastructure that can relatively easily be upgraded, since the optical parts of the network use passive techniques, with no amplifiers that could require replacing. RVS supports all main fiber architectures from fiber-to-the-feeder extensions can be cordless. They have all the functions and features available via conventional wired extensions. Freeset will also in future be used in other public network access applications, particularly in connection with Personal Communication Services (PCS) and telezone (telepoint) services. Freeset is based on the pan-European DECT (Digital European Cordless Telecommunications) standard. It has been designed as a high capacity system, able to support the high densities of telephone extensions found in large offices and industrial sites where densities can reach 50,000 users per square kilometre. A single radio exchange can support up to 600 cordless extension phones, via a network of tiny radio base stations arranged to create small 'picocells' of 30-100m radius indoors and up to 300m outdoors. Speech quality is the same as that available from a wired extension, and there is a seamless, undetectable handover as users walk from one base station area to another. HDSL/ADSL transmission systems High-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL) and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL) transmission systems allow the provision of high-bandwidth (up to 6Mbit/s) services over ordinary copper lines over distances of several kilometres, without the need for repeaters. There is growing demand for high-bandwidth leased-line and ISDN services for applications such as LAN-to-LAN interconnection, videoconferencing and PBX interconnection. HDSL and ADSL help network operators meet these new demands quickly and cost-effectively by allowing them to exploit their existing copper networks. HDSL offers the high transmission speed and quality over copper that have previously only been available from fiber-optic links over the same distances. New high-value services can be offered at attractive rates by making better use of existing network facilities, and avoiding the high costs of installing fiber all the way to the customer. There are two HDSL transmission systems in the Access Network product portfolio: the Cobra-HTU two-pair system and the COLT-2 three-pair system. The Ericsson Cobra-ATU ADSL transmission system can provide transmission rates of up to 6Mbit/s in the downstream direction (towards the subscriber), while providing upstream rates of a few hundred kilobits per second. This makes it ideal for delivering subscriber-controlled entertainment and information services. For example, in services like video-on-demand, home-shopping and information retrieval, the video signals use the high-bandwidth downstream link, while the controlling functions only need a few kilobits per second. However, ADSL can provide enough capacity in both directions for applications such as video conferencing two-way and datacommunications. Digital Pair Gain Systems Digital Pair Gain Systems allow a single copper subscriber line to support between two and twelve separate subscriber accesses. This is equivalent to an increase in the capacity of the local access network by a factor of twelve, with no need for new subscriber cabling. This increased capacity can be used either to support new subscribers, or bring additional accesses to existing customers. The costs of developing an access network with Digital Pair Gain Systems generally compare very favourably with the alternative approach of installing additional copper cabling to each new subscriber. Digital Pair Gain Systems can be used on any subscriber lines whether served by electromechanical or fully-electronic digital exchanges. By allowing more users to share each digital subscriber line and providing additional lines for existing customers (for example, to add fax, data or PBX lines), Digital Pair Gain Systems improve the utilization of existing network infrastructure and boost service revenues.