White Paper

RAPID
Enabling Access for Rural Communities with the Alcatel 1511 BA

Voice telephony is still the major revenue generator for

many service providers. Rural access for POTS, ISDN
and data (RAPID) proves to be effective and cost efficient
in scarcely populated regions, and is therefore comple-
mentary to other rural access technologies such as fixed
wireless access, fixed cellular, satellite and new wireless
access technologies, such as WiFi and WiMAX.
It allows service providers to maximize revenues, and
at the same time control costs of network deployment,
while increasing teledensity in rural areas. Its compactness
enables fast deployment that allows service providers
to offer services and ensure minimized payback time
in rural areas with low average revenue per user.
In addition to voice communications, RAPID also supports
data and Ethernet access, hence helping to bridge the
digital divide by increasing the availability of access
to communication resources.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ......................................1

Overview of Connectivity Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

V5.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Subscriber Emulation-Based CAS Signaling ...................3

Mirror-Based Solution for Combined Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

About RAPID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Outdoor Cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Remote Multiplexer ...................................4

Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Network Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Conclusion .......................................6

Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RAPID: Enabling Access for Rural Communities with the Alcatel 1511 BA

Introduction Figure 1 - RAPID Installation in Africa

Bringing telecommunications facilities and services to

scarcely populated areas has always been a costly and
tiresome exercise for public network operators. In many
cases, the required capital expenditure (CAPEX) to
reach and connect remote areas and to provide sufficient
protection for installed equipment against weather
conditions and intrusions does not guarantee a sufficient
return on investment (ROI). However, as broadband
connectivity becomes ubiquitous in metropolitan and
urban areas, rural residents are becoming less willing to
accept the digital divide. They expect the same access
to services and quality of services as those enjoyed in
more densely populated areas. As a result, every public
operator must provide connectivity upon request, and
the ability to do so is becoming a competitive necessity.
To ease the network operator’s task of helping rural
communities bridge the digital divide, Alcatel has
developed the Rural Access for POTS, ISDN and Data
(RAPID) solution, based primarily on the Alcatel 1511
2 Mb/s Multiservice Business Access Multiplexer (BA).
The RAPID solution supports a range of services
appropriate for rural communities:
> POTS
> ISDN
> Low speed data (asynchronous) up to 64 kb/s
> High speed data at N x 64 kb/s (N = 1 to 31)
> Ethernet at N x 64 kb/s (N = 1 to 31)

With the following characteristics, RAPID is designed to

address the specific requirements of operators providing
solutions in rural areas:
> Flexible enough to address very small configurations
(up to 30 64 kb/s payload channels)
> E1-based, with optionally a built-in single-line high-
bit-rate digital subscriber line (SHDSL) transmission
booster or an optical E2
> Available as an indoor unit, or a robust pole or mast-
mounted outdoor cabinet
> Single phase AC fed with a built-in battery back-up
of eight hours
> Separate equipment and distribution bay
> Low cost solution resulting in fast ROI
> Local and remote management capabilities
> Plug-and-play concept making use of pre-cabled,
pre-programmed standard models
> Does not require changes to the existing installed
base (i.e., the exchange)
> Operates under extreme climate conditions

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RAPID: Enabling Access for Rural Communities with the Alcatel 1511 BA

Figure 2 - RAPID Deployed in Telecom Infrastructure

Data
(LAN)

1511 BA
Data

ISDN S

POTS
RAPID
Optical Fax
Fiber

Data
1511 BA
Copper ISDN S
E1s SHDSL
POTS

1515 CX-C Fax

RAPID

Co-located µWave
Data Data
Network (LAN)
1511 BA
1511 BA

Village
RAPID Phone
Fax POTS ISDN S Data

As depicted in Figure 2, the RAPID solution can be V5.2

deployed alongside operators’ synchronous digital
hierarchy (SDH)/dense wavelength division multiplexing
(DWDM) and microwave or GSM tower infrastructures
as well as the infrastructures of power utilities, or railway
corporations, for example. This enables operators to
leverage the existing infrastructure of other organizations.
At an operator central office site, the solution connects
via different options to an existing local exchange.
One V5.2 interface from the exchange is sent to a con-
verter. The converter provides the necessary signaling
information towards the multiplexer. Up to 24 multiplexers
then provide connectivity for up to 720 subscribers. This
setup guarantees a more than decent 0.12 Erlang (the
number of call seconds per hour) per subscriber.
Figure 3 - V5.2 Connectivity Option

Overview of
Connectivity Options V5.2
1511 BA

Interface
(4 E1)
This section describes network scenarios in which the 30 Subscribers
Alcatel RAPID solution is used as an access medium to
the subscriber. Three connectivity options are available: 24 E1s RAPID (1)
with CAS 1511 BA
> V5.2 connection at the exchange
> V5.1-based subscriber emulation Exchange V5.2 to
> Mirror-based solution for combined services CAS Converter 30 Subscribers

RAPID (24)

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RAPID: Enabling Access for Rural Communities with the Alcatel 1511 BA
The major strengths of the V5.2 connectivity option are:
> V5.2 is an open interface that can be connected to
any digital exchange
> No upgrades are required to existing exchange
equipment
> Only limited investment is required at the exchange
end (addition of a converter box, which can serve
up to 24 remote sites)
This solution is most economical for a volume of 400
subscribers or more, connected to a single exchange.
SUBSCRIBER EMULATION-BASED CAS SIGNALING
This connectivity option is appropriate when network
operators want to provide only voice services. In this
scenario, the RAPID is connected directly to the exchange
via a 2 Mb/s link. The protocol will be a channel associated
signaling (CAS) signal with subscriber emulation embed-
ded in the exchange. This option has two significant
characteristics:
> Line signaling is based on the CAS protocol
(recommendation Q.421)
> Subscriber processing (providing dial tone, reception
of digits, etc.) is done in the exchange
Up to 30 POTS lines can be installed per RAPID pole-
mounted cabinet. An indoor subrack can house 90
subscribers. A fully equipped, standard 19 inch rack
totals 450 subscribers.
Advantages of the subscriber emulation connectivity
option include:
> No investment is needed at the exchange
> It is extremely well suited for a low volume of
subscribers (less than 50) added to a single exchange
This solution is, however, proprietary and supported
by only a limited number of exchanges.
Figure 4 - Subscriber Emulation-Based Connectivity Option
1511 BA
E1 CAS
Exchange
RAPID
MIRROR-BASED SOLUTION FOR COMBINED SERVICES
When transporting different services (i.e., services with
specific signaling requirements), network operators cannot
make use of a standardized signaling protocol like V5.2,
which allows them to connect a hybrid trunk directly to
an exchange. To overcome this inconvenience and enable
multiple services for rural users, an additional building
block is introduced into the network topology. A small
cross-connect (Alcatel 1515 Compact 1-0 Digital Cross-
Connect [CX-C]) acts as a groomer between the exchange,
the data network and the RAPIDs in the network.
As inputs, the cross-connect can receive:
> E1s carrying up to 30 POTS channels
> Full E1s carrying 64 kb/s data channels
> Single basic access lines (a,b wired) in a mirror
configuration with the switch
At the output side, each RAPID is connected to the
cross-connect by an E1. The network will use proprietary
signaling because this E1 contains a mix of POTS, basic
rate access (BRA) and data channels.
With this setup, the operator can serve up to 480 user
channels. In theory, 16 RAPIDs can be connected to one
cross-connect, if each RAPID is equipped to its maximum.
In practice, with an average filling of 75 percent, up to
20 RAPIDs can be connected to a single cross-connect.
The typical equivalents are as follows:
> POTS: 1 user channel per subscriber
> BRA: 3 user channels per basic access subscriber
> Data: 1 user channel per 64 kb/s connection
Figure 5 - Mixed POTS and Data Connectivity Option
1511 BA
E1
Data 1/0
Network VAM
Cross-connect RAPID
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RAPID: Enabling Access for Rural Communities with the Alcatel 1511 BA

About RAPID Figure 6 - The Outdoor Cabinet

The building blocks of the RAPID are: Features

> An outdoor cabinet > Dimensions: 350 x 810 x 400 (wxhxd)
> Weight: approx. 20 kg (fully equipped)
> A power supply
> Protected against dust and water
> Alcatel 1511 BA penetration (IP 55)
> A main distribution frame > Operates on single phase 240 VAC
> Corrugated steel
> Equipment bay separate from
OUTDOOR CABINET distribution bay
The outdoor cabinet contains all the necessary building > Two universal clamps to fit any type
blocks to serve the rural subscriber (see Figure 6). of pole
> Safety locks
Air inlets at the top and bottom of the cabinet allow
> Outer and inner cabinet structure for
outside air to cool the inner wall in a free circulating optimal cooling
manner. In tropical environments, a fan can be installed > Fan driven cooling (optional)
to circulate air within the equipment bay and guarantee > Cable throughput by means of swivels
> Door contact and temperature sensor
an equal spread of generated heat. All cables are fed into for remote monitoring
the outdoor cabinet from the bottom. > Fully pre-wired
The cabinet’s internal structure consists of the > On site activities limited to power
and subscriber conditions
equipment area, the power supply and the distribution
frame (see Figure 7).
A door contact and a temperature sensor can be read Figure 7 - Internal Layout of the Outdoor Cabinet
by the management card. This alarm can be sent to a
remote monitoring center. > Two safety locks to secure the
equipment bay
> can be made customer-dependent
REMOTE MULTIPLEXER (standard key)
The Alcatel 1511BA functions as the remote multiplexer > Power cabling block for termination
in the RAPID solution. It is a nine-slot multiplexer that of all power cables, such as
> equipment
is only 24 cm wide. The nine slots are filled with: > batteries
> 1 controller > rectifier
> 240VAC
> 1 network management interface board for local and > Low voltage disconnect
remote management > DC fuses
> 1 DC/DC converter with ringing generator capacity > Equipment area containing a T9
(redundancy is possible) subrack that houses the controllers
and the tributary boards that interface
> 6 universal positions to be used for tributary or to subscribers
transport boards > Fan unit for even heat distribution
> Power compartment housing a
48 Vbackup battery and a 120 W
APPLICATIONS AC/DC rectifier
The six free slots are used to install tributaries that > Distribution area is separate from
the equipment area
support various applications. The three applications
described below are most relevant for rural users and
have, therefore, been selected for RAPID. Figure 8 - Basic Configuration with DC Feeding

POTS: Analog POTS subscribers can be directly connected 1 2 3 4 5 6

via a/b wires to one or more subscriber interface boards.
PCMC2 Bis
RGPA

CNCC

The granularity can be either five or ten circuits per board.

All commonly used impedances are available, covering
line distances from 1 km up to 12 km. Further 12 and
16 KHz metering, reverse battery and country-dependant e
o
c
1
e
o
c

ringing are supported. 2

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RAPID: Enabling Access for Rural Communities with the Alcatel 1511 BA
ISDN: ISDN subscribers can be directly connected via
a/b wires to one or more ISDN-BA U-interface boards.
The interface board consists of five ISDN BRA lines.
The interface uses the Uk0 Basic Access 2B+D format
with 2B1Q line coding. This interface requires a mirror
solution with line terminator (LT) boards at the
exchange side and network terminator (NT) boards
at the RAPID end.
Local or remote data: Instead of using direct data con-
nections, the RAPID solution uses a modem combination,
in which the U6VAM tributary acts as a DCE while the
versatile access modem (VAM) acts as a DTE. This appli-
cation covers a distance of up to 8 km, supports 128 kb/s
or 2 x 64 kb/s X.21/V.35 and uses the outside plant wiring
that is already available.
Several other applications can also be deployed using
RAPID, but they are not top candidates for a rural
solution and are only listed here for completeness.
These applications include:
> Low speed asynchronous data up to 64 kb/s,
only for local use
> 15 kHz audio (with or without E&M)
> Hotline facility
> 30-party conference bridge
> Local battery connection
> N x 64 kb/s (N = up to 30)
> ISDN So interface
> Ethernet N x 64 kb/s (N = up to 30)
Figure 9 - Network Management Overview
Q3 (X.25/Ethernet)
OS: 1353 AC
RS-232
1321 NX
Operation Craft
Terminal (OCT)
RS-232
1320 NX
Element Craft
Terminal (ECT)
NETWORK MANAGEMENT
Full remote monitoring and control is essential for a rural
solution, where equipment will be installed in distant areas
to which access can be limited due to road conditions or
seasonal disturbances. The RAPID solution incorporates
three building blocks for remote management:
> Element manager: local craft terminal with the Alcatel
1320 NX (NECTAS) software package
> Network operations center: Alcatel 1322 VD Mediation
Device with the 1321 NX (NOCTAS) software package
> Network manager: Alcatel 1353 AC
Figure 9 shows the virtual position of each of these
building blocks and the respective signals that are
being sent.
Together, these network management components
provide all the features that are expected from a state-
of-the-art management platform. Depending on
requirements, an operator can choose:
> An element manager for local maintenance
> Network operations managers to maintain and monitor
a limited number of RAPIDs (i.e., connected to the
same exchange)
> A network management platform that controls and
manages the entire network
DCN Network
Q3 (X.25/Ethernet)
1322 VD
1511 BA (R)Q2 (R)Q2
RS-232
RAPID 1515 CXC-C
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RAPID: Enabling Access for Rural Communities with the Alcatel 1511 BA

Conclusion
The RAPID solution from Alcatel enables network
operators to address the burgeoning rural community
and remain competitive by bringing premium services
to scarcely populated areas. Rural residents can enjoy
not only traditional POTS service, but ISDN basic access
and low-speed data over a single 2 Mb/s link.
RAPID is easy to install and robust once in place. It is
fed from the commercial power grid with a back-up bat-
tery, allowing easy implementation even in areas where
power outages are frequent. Its robust mechanical design
protects against vandalism, theft and animal attacks. The
IP-55 value of the equipment bay prevents damage from
water, insects and dust. The Alcatel 1511 BA itself has a
proven track record in very harsh environments worldwide.
It has been deployed in pipeline, metro and railway
projects, both indoors and outdoors.
Implementing RAPID does not require a highly skilled
workforce. Operators can take advantage of a comprehen-
sive network management system to control, monitor and
reconfigure the network from a central network operations
center. This results in a plug and play operational mode
that does not require specialized skills from people in
the field.
Ultimately, RAPID provides the ideal answer for con-
necting rural areas to the rest of the world and allowing
the local population to enter into and enjoy the benefits
of the 21st century.

ABBREVIATIONS
BRA basic rate access (for ISDN)
CAPEX capital expenditures
CAS channel associated signaling
DWDM dense wavelength division multiplexing
ECT equipment craft terminal
IP 55 Indication of degree of protection against
dust and humidity
ISDN integrated services digital network
LT line termination
NT network termination
OCT office craft terminal
OS operating system
POTS plain old telephone system/service
RAPID rural access for POTS, ISDN and data
SDH synchronous digital hierarchy
SHDSL single-line high-bit-rate digital subscriber line
VAM versatile access modem

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© 12 2005 Alcatel. All rights reserved. 3CL 00469 0977 TQZZA Ed.01 19829