Aggregation Site Gateways

RAD’s ACE-3400 and ACE-3402 aggregation site gateways are carrier-class multiservice aggregators, specifically designed to optimize cellular backhaul by multiplexing various ATM or TDM services into a single IMA, STM-1/OC-3 or Gigabit Ethernet network interface. Typically located at hub sites or BSC/RNC sites, the ACE-3400 and ACE-3402 ensure the most economical allocation of backhaul resources in delivering 2G, 3G and next-generation services over ATM and SDH/SONET transport networks. Moreover, RAD’s aggregation site gateways incorporate advanced pseudowire emulation capabilities, supporting operators in their migration to cost-effective packet transport by enabling the use of wholesale DSL services and Ethernet, IP or MPLS backbones for the provisioning of delay-tolerant, as well as real-time services.

• Accommodate upsurge in bandwidth capacity and ramp up of new cellular services without massive investments in infrastructure

• Reduce CapEx through the use of lower-priced, higher bit-rate ports in network edge switches

• Reduce OpEx by service aggregation and better utilization of network links

• Promote maximum service flexibility with “Any-Service-Any-Port” functionality

• Ensure SLA-based quality-of-service (QoS) with ATM statistical multiplexing

• Simplify service provisioning and control by supporting 2G/3G colocation and enabling simultaneous delivery of GSM, UMTS and next-generation 3GPP services over the same transport network

• Efficiently handle multiple traffic types, including HSDPA and voice traffic, with full ATM switching, scheduling and shaping

• Support gradual migration to PSN networks and Fixed and Mobile Convergence (FMC)

• Allow installations in limited spaces with small size and total front access design

Featuring “Any-Service-Any-Port” functionality, the ACE-3400 and ACE-3402 work opposite RAD’s cell site gateways to maximize transport cost-efficiency, by allowing traffic aggregation while using various service interfaces. Typical applications for RAD’s aggregation site gateways include grooming ATM traffic and aggregating VC-12/VT1.5 circuits into a single IMA, channelized STM-1/OC-3 or Gigabit Ethernet uplinks. ACE-3400 additionally aggregates TDM (CES) or ATM (UNI/IMA) E1/T1 traffic over STM-1/OC-3c links.

The service-oriented functionality offered by the ACE-3400 and ACE-3402 minimizes the number of overall network links and facilitates the use of lower-priced, higher bit-rate STM-1/OC-3 ports in network edge switches, instead of costly E1/T1 links or deployment of additional switches. Mobile operators can therefore conserve existing resources, trim down the number of leased services required to support their networks, or utilize the excess capacity for a gradual introduction of new, bandwidth intensive services, consequently reducing backhaul capital expenditures (CapEx).

Furthermore, by supporting inherent ATM QoS attributes, the ACE-3400 and ACE-3402 aggregation site gateways enable service differentiation and traffic engineering, including prioritization, shaping and scheduling. Together with ATM’s statistical multiplexing nature, this allows operators to optimize network utilization by implementing overbooking strategies, thereby reducing service costs and operating expenditures (OpEx).