Distributed Architecture in Emerging Markets

Details: Andy Grimmett; Category: Wireless Networks; 28 November 2014; 6554 views

Operators of business and mission critical radio networks understand the benefits of reliable communications – and indeed the consequences should those networks fail to perform.

In developing and emerging markets worldwide, radio has earned a reputation as a key component in critical communications and continues to ensure that operations throughout the public safety, utility, natural resources, government and transportation industries are safe and effective.

The ability for any nation to function and prosper relies heavily on its levels of security and safety, and the demand for a reliable, robust and secure communications system has never been so high. The Government of Malaysia is one example. Its public security division installed a full scale P25 system to provide a secure digital communications infrastructure across Malaysia. The region prides itself on being a peaceful and safe country and the system is able to support the government in ensuring that all citizens and visitors are secure at all times.

Yet, as technologies continue to evolve and communications networks become more complex, developing markets looking to increase their spending on critical communications will be presented with a myriad of solutions that are bound to create confusion.

When mission and business critical radio is concerned, though, the distributed architecture model is well suited for its deployment and IP is the ideal technology to deliver the benefits. By following a set of clearly defined rules, system architects can design the high capacity, secure, resilient radio communications networks required to support mission critical operations.

Given the significance of radio in so many working environments it is perhaps surprising that fully IP connected radio systems are not more common. As consumers, we employ IP connectivity to support our businesses every day to conduct everything from a simple telephone call through to secure financial transactions. In our private lives personal mobile devices, utility services and even household appliances are nodes in vast IP connected communications networks.

Distributed architecture benefits

Adopting a distributed architecture for IP connected radio systems offers network operators the following benefits:

Simplicity: A single intelligent base station that replaces a number of discreet system components significantly reduces the complexity of the system, making it easier to deploy and maintain.

Scalability: The protocols and hardware used in IP networks allow them to be scaled up to meet changes in system requirements. This is matched by a distributed radio system architecture that, due to its switchless design, is able to be ultimately scalable.

Resilience: Good system design, combined with the inherent reliability of IP and the right equipment, enables the deployment of robust and fault tolerant networks without the need to duplicate high cost hardware equipment.

Open standards: Use of IP connectivity means the same principles apply anywhere in the world and system architects are free to choose whatever vendor equipment they wish to create a distributed architecture radio system.

Security: By applying IP security at the boundaries of radio system sub-nets, implementing network security policies and maintaining control over remote access, the security of an IP based radio network can be equal to or possibly greater than those deployed using discreet telecommunications circuits.

Management: Use of a single protocol throughout the system architecture for both core process and radio system operation permits control data, voice traffic and statistical data to share the same network. One notable point being that IP networks allow rapid and reliable software updates meaning that new features can be introduced without service visits.

Cost: Global adoption of IP networks and the transition of central switching from a dedicated hardware unit to a software function have driven down the cost of deploying and maintaining a distributed architecture radio system.

Moving from switch-based architecture

Switch-based architecture is a logical concept that employs a central switching unit to manage the interconnections between two or more nodes. When applied to multi-site radio systems, a node is a radio site generally comprising a series of base stations with a site controller exchanging control data with a central switch. The site controller brings its base stations into calls as needed and, where inter-site calling is required, each base station has a dedicated landline for call audio. The central switch is then responsible for routing call audio to dispatching, telephone extensions or other sites.

There are several drawbacks to this architecture though. The central switch is vital so, if it stops working, then no inter-site calls can take place. Complex radio site equipment is required to interface base stations with the site controller and audio connections, but this series of discrete units is costly and setup requires a high degree of technical expertise. Furthermore, having a dedicated landline for each base station means providing a lot of resource on the off chance that it is needed.

Whatever the merits of dedicated telecommunications links were a decade ago, they have now been overtaken by advances in the design and availability of IP based networks. The result is IP backhaul networks which provide higher bandwidth and more resilience but at a lower cost.

Manufacturers moving away from the conventional switch- based system model can exploit the principles of distributed architecture and produce reliable radio systems that deliver greater benefits than digital radio alone.

Creating a true distributed architecture radio system involves more than simply linking sites with IP. To be able to take full advantage of its properties requires the use of generic and identical system components resulting in radio systems that are simpler and significantly more resilient than their switch based predecessors whilst at the same time holding down cost.

A genuinely distributed radio system has no central component(s) and therefore failure of any piece of equipment within the network will result in the overall system continuing to operate seamlessly. The emergence of IP backhaul has enabled this change in approach to happen and it is the perfect vehicle to provide secure and reliable inter-connections to radio sites in the emerging markets.

Andy Grimmett is the Head of Product Strategy at Simoco Group.