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AccessGate |
AccessGate Highlights
- Vendor-independent, multi-service, multiprotocol RAN aggregation plus optimization
- Industry-leading optimization performance with the lowest latency
- Patented media packet inspection RAN optimization technology
- Proven interoperability with all major base station subsystem and VSAT modem vendors
- Extensive worldwide field-proven operational deployments
- Functional over a wide range of environmental operating conditions
- Lowest cost of ownership
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The performance leader in RAN optimization solutions
AccessGateTM is a family of award-winning radio access network (RAN) optimization systems that reduces operating costs and enables the rapid expansion and migration of mobile wireless networks. Mobile operators around the world have deployed AccessGate solutions to address numerous business and technical challenges in their GSM networks, while setting the stage for a smooth transition to 2G/3G converged networks, as well as the adoption of IP-based RAN backhaul. AccessGate employs a unique, patented set of aggregation and bandwidth optimization techniques that enables wireless operators to maximize network utilization, resulting in a significant reduction in recurring leased line and VSAT satellite backhaul expenses, which typically represents 30% of total network operating costs. |
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The Systems
AccessGate RAN optimizers are deployed in pairs: one typically located at either a base transceiver station (BTS) and Node B cellular site, and the other located at the base station controller (BSC) and radio network controller (RNC) switching office. Each AccessGate optimizer processes Abis and/or Iub backhaul circuits at their respective locations, and then applies advanced, patented algorithms to reduce the bandwidth required to transport both 2G and 3G mobile voice and data traffic over the wide area - all without degrading performance or compromising voice quality.
Cell Site System
The AccessGate system located at the cell site is a small, cost-effective device specifically designed to optimize the bandwidth utilization of GSM and UMTS mobile cell site traffic. AccessGate aggregates and multiplexes mobile traffic from multiple 2G, 2.5G, 3G, and IP-based cell site services onto a common, packet-switched narrowband or IP/Ethernet backhaul to a corresponding peer system at the Base Station Controller (BSC), and performs the same operation in the reverse direction for traffic coming back from the BSC to the cell site. AccessGate's GSM and UMTS bandwidth saving technologies enable mobile operators to reduce the bandwidth required for backhaul, thereby minimizing recurring operating expenses. Alternatively, the freed up backhaul bandwidth can be used to accommodate the growth of new subscribers or the rollout of new cell sites and services without incurring additional infrastructure investments. Lastly, when new 3G- or IP-based services are installed at the cell site, the AccessGate's Iub and Ethernet interfaces enable the operator to support this new traffic without the addition of separate, dedicated backhaul, delaying - or in some cases eliminating - the need for additional costly leased bandwidth.
Switching Center System
The AccessGate 2016 and 2516 are designed for deployment at the switching center. They are carrier-class platforms that terminate backhaul connections from multiple AccessGate cell site devices. The BSC-based AccessGate systems process traffic from each cell site to reconstruct frames and channels. The original frame is then delivered to the GSM BSC and, where applicable, to the UMTS RNC. In this way, AccessGate appears transparent to the operation of the underlying BSS (base station subsystem) RAN equipment. |
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Features of AccessGate Systems
- Network interfaces: Supports Abis, Ater and Gb interfaces for 2G/2.5G voice and data (GPRS/EDGE) services, as well as Iub (over ATM/IMA) for 3G services; enables cost-effective GSM-to-UMTS evolution Statistical multiplexing: Aggregates and optimizes GSM Abis, Ater, Gb and UMTS Iub communications onto a common backhaul between the cell site and BSC
- Silence and idle frame removal: Suppresses silence and idle frames for 2G/2.5G services; eliminates ATM idle cells and compresses ATM headers for 3G services; saves bandwidth by only transmitting data the receiving end can't recreate
- Bandwidth savings: Delivers backhaul bandwidth savings of 50% or more, depending on traffic load; reduces OpEx and improves profitability
- Backhaul media: Multi-service, multiprotocol support over terrestrial leased lines, VSAT satellite services, microwave links, and broadband IP/Ethernet services
- OAM: Offers simplified management and provisioning; allows integration into thirdparty management systems via SNMP
- High availability: Achieves high reliability for carrier-grade deployment; redundant configurations available for added service assurance
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How AccessGate Works
At the heart of all AccessGate RAN optimizers lies a set of media processing and statistical multiplexing algorithms developed and patented by Memotec. These algorithms detect the payload types of the mobile traffic, and then operate on the various payload types with differentiated bandwidth reduction techniques specific to each type. Most importantly, these bandwidth reduction techniques do not compromise the original performance or quality of the traffic – whether it's voice, data, or video. AccessGate is the leading multi-service, multiprotocol, and vendor-independent solution on the market to utilize unique packet inspection technology, specifically designed for the aggregation and optimization of RAN backhaul traffic.
AccessGate optimizes mobile network backhaul by eliminating redundant silence and idle frames - resulting in bandwidth reductions of 50% - and even higher in some circumstances. AccessGate can also aggregate GSM, UMTS, CDMA, TDMA, and IP traffic onto the same backhaul, eliminating the need for deploying and maintaining separate 2G and 3G networks. AccessGate is unique in its ability to optimize RAN backhaul without degradation of either network performance or voice quality. It introduces a constant, imperceptible delay of only 10-15 msec, and does so without vocoding, delivering a rapid payback and positive cash flow for mobile operators. In many cases, an AccessGate investment pays for itself in a matter of months, providing immediate performance benefits and cost relief that help drive more business. |
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Enhanced Provisioning and Management
AccessView, the entry-level AccessGate management system, is an SNMP client application that supports remote configuration, monitoring, and verification of individual AccessGate devices. AccessView is a multi-platform application based on JavaTM technology. AccessView includes the ability to:
- Configure and view system, trunk, timeslot, and sub-channel parameters as well as SNMP access rights
- Manage systems via the command line, Web or SNMP interfaces
- Remotely upgrade system software
- Manage system alarms
- Monitor and view charted data for key performance indicators
- Allow AccessGate devices to interface with an external management framework by configuring SNMP trap destinations on the devices
AccessGate systems can be managed using AccessView or integrated with either HP OpenView or with the operator's own operation and support system (OSS) using AccessGate's SNMP MIB interface. For more advanced and/or extensive AccessGate implementations, AccessEMS represents a turnkey client/server-based element management system designed to manage an entire network of AccessGate systems. With the AccessEMS system, mobile operators can view all fault, configuration, performance, and security aspects of an AccessGate network. AccessEMS incorporates the full functionality of AccessView, and, in addition, provides the following features and functions:
- Configuration management, including auto-discovery, inventory archiving, configuration monitoring/tracking
- Fault management, including monitoring/polling, alarm management, notification, and integration with third-party management platforms
- Performance management, including the collection, aggregation, and reporting of element-level performance statistics
Application Scenario
AccessGate Optimization of VSAT-Based IP Backhaul
The emerging markets continue to experience phenomenal growth rates of mobile subscriber adoption. Mobile operators in these markets are frequently challenged to deliver cost-effective growth and expansion of their network infrastructure to outlying population centers in order to accommodate that subscriber growth. However, in many instances, traditional terrestrial backhaul bandwidth solutions are both scarce and costly. As a result, VSAT technology has gained great favour as the backhaul medium of choice among operators driven to satisfy time-to-market and subscriber coverage objectives. By providing an IP/Ethernet backhaul interface, AccessGate enables mobile operators to reduce the recurring cost of leased VSAT bandwidth with a rapid payback period, typically yielding a 3-6 month ROI.
AccessGate is interoperable with all of the most popular SCPC (single channel per carrier) and IP/Ethernet VSAT modems, reducing overall VSAT bandwidth costs by 50% or more. New approaches to VSAT transmission technology are emerging in the RAN, promising better bandwidth savings and faster payback periods on the transmission network than conventional SCPC technology. Technologies such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Bandwidth on Demand (BoD), and Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) allow VSAT bandwidth resources to be shared among a hub location and multiple remote cell site locations. This is particularly advantageous for low TRX cell sites. With an IP/Ethernet backhaul interface and support for features such as dynamic jitter buffer, and QoS on GSM traffic using DiffServ, AccessGate interoperates seamlessly with IP-enabled VSAT equipment, allowing for maximum optimization and efficiency - as well as minimized cost of shared VSAT bandwidth. |
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Interfaces
- Capacity
- 4 E1/T1 + 2 Ethernet interfaces (AccessGate 2004)
- 8 E1/T1 + 2 Ethernet interfaces (AccessGate 2008)
- 16 E1/T1 + 2 Ethernet interfaces (AccessGate 2016)
- 16 E1/T1 + 4 Ethernet interfaces (AccessGate 2516)
- E1 Telephony Interface
- Interface: G.703 2.048 Mbps trunk interface (software selectable 75 and 120 ohm impedance)
- Connector: RJ48C with collocated status/alarm indicators
- Framing: CEPT G.703/G.704
- Line code: HDB3
- Alarm signal capabilities: RAI, AIS, CRC4 multi frame alarms
- Counts: CRC errors, slips, line code violations, errored/severely errored seconds
- T1 (DSX-1) Telephony Interface
- Interface: ANSI T1.102, T1.403
- Connector: RJ48C with collocated status/alarm indicators
- Framing: ESF, D4
- Line code: B8ZS
- Zero bit suppression: selectable B8ZS, no zero code suppression
- Alarm signal capabilities: RAI, LOS/LOF, and AIS
- Counts: bipolar violation, F(t) error, and CRC error
- 10/100 Base-T Ethernet interface
- For IP backhaul, IP services, redundancy or management
- Connector: RJ45 with collocated status/alarm indicators
- Craft port
- Serial RS-232C (V.24)
- Connector: DB9 on front and rear
- Clock synchronization
- Standard E1/T1 via spare trunk interface configurable at 75 or 120 ohm
Trunk Configurations
| Access Gate |
Virtual Gateways |
Maximum number of Service Trunks per virtual gateway |
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TDM |
IP |
TDM |
IP |
| 2004 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| 2008 |
4 |
8 |
7 |
8 |
| 2016 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
| 2516 |
8 |
16 |
10 |
16 |
AccessGate2004
- Trunk available to provide clock synchronization
- Maximum of 2 service trunks per unit
- Up to 2:2 E1/T1 service:backhaul trunks for redundant configurations
Latency
- TDM backhaul (end-to-end fixed latency, not including backhaul delay):
- Abis/Ater: 10-15 ms (determined by optimization mode)
- Iub: 17 ms
- IP backhaul (end-to-end fixed latency, not including backhaul delay, with default system settings):
- Abis/Ater: 18 ms
- Iub: 19 ms
- Supports up to 30 msecs of differential delay tolerance between TDM backhaul links
Media Support
- BTS/BSC interface compliant with GSM standard
- Node B/RNC interface compliant with UMTS Iub standard
- GPRS/EDGE
- Gb Frame Relay
- ATM narrowband and IMA
- Network Equipment Provider Abis/Ater support for: Alcatel, Ericsson, Huawei, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel, Siemens and ZTE
- TS0/FDL (SA bits) Transport for all service TDM ports
Alarms
- 1 audible / 3 visual alarms on all AccessGates (except AccessGate 2004), 2 x DB9M, dry relay contacts
- Individual alarm trunk LED on the service side and 1 multiplexed alarm trunk LED on the non-service side
- Ethernet status indicator on both sides
- Key system status indicator on both sides: FAULT/BYPASS/OK/TRUNK
Bandwidth Savings
- Elimination of unused DS0s
- Removal of silence frames from voice
- Removal of idle frames from packet data
- Removal of idle frames from on-hook channels
- Removal of idle pattern from LAPD channels
- Statistical multiplexing of Abis and Iub traffic
- SS7 FISU removal
- Automatic detection of all Abis, Ater, Gb/Frame relay and ATM/Iub protocols
Management
- Interfaces:
- Command Line Interface (CLI) Accessible locally via laptop using craft port or via telnet
- AccessView for configuration and monitoring
- Web interface for management from any platform
- SNMP v2c
- RFC 1213 (MIB-II)
- RFC 3415 (View-Based Access Control AccessGate)
- Telcordia GR-474 (Alarm Surveillance and Control for Network Elements)
- ITU X.733 (Alarm Formatting)
- Supports integration into external management framework via SNMP for
- Initialization, Configuration, Alarms: major, minor
- E1/T1 performance monitoring
- Self-diagnostic and fault isolation mechanisms
- Remote monitoring
- Usage report
- Graphical rendering of key performance indicators
- Backhaul usage, Erlangs, Round trip delay measurements
Availability
- High availability enhanced with trunk relay bypass
- In case of failure, no compression is performed on Abis/Ater/Gb trunks, and Iub trunks operate in pass-through mode.
- MTBF 13 to 31 years depending on the AccessGate
- Configurable for 1 + 1 redundancy
- Batch live/remote software upgradeable with revert capability
Physical Description
- 1U chassis
- Height: 44mm, Width: 483mm, Depth: 280mm
- Weight: 4 kg
- Universally mountable for front or rear I/O configurations
Power Requirements
- Input voltage: 24/-48V (18 to 60 VDC range)
- Redundant DC power feed support
- Power Consumption:
| AccessGate |
Watts Typical |
Watts Maximum |
| 2004 |
12.5 |
25 |
| 2008 |
20 |
40 |
| 2016 |
25 |
50 |
| 2516 |
30 |
60 |
Environmental
- Conforms to Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS)
- Normal operating temperature: -10°C to +65°C [AccessGate 2004 is a fan-less unit rated to +55°C]
- Storage temperature: -25°C to +70°C
- Relative humidity: 5% to 90% (noncondensing)
- Maximum operating altitude: 3,400 m
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