Management & control

solutions

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WIRELESS

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WIRELESS
Aem and RMC

© Axell Wireless Ltd

 Axell Wireless supplies two powerful software tools - AEM and RMC - for the configuration and management of
repeaters either singly or in networks. Both applications are Windows™ based and run on Windows 2000 and Windows
XP. The AEM can also be run on Windows 2003 Server.

RMC – Repeater Maintenance Console

The RMC is an online software program that simplifies control and installation of repeaters. It gives access to the
repeaters Control Module and allows for on-line configuration of the repeaters. The RMC can be used localy on site, or
remotely over a modem connection.

AEM Axell Wireless Element Manger

The AEM is a complete operations and maintenance centre for repeater networks. The AEM takes control
of the repeaters once the installation at site is completed. The repeaters are integrated into the network and
controlled by the AEM. The AEM is used extensively also by Axell Wireless personnel for commissioning as well as for
service and maitenance of repeater networks.

The AEM is a software application designed to supervise and control repeater networks. It is an advanced yet
user-friendly application that gives easy access to all information about a network. Each repeater can be monitored
separately or the whole network can be presented in one overview chart. The network elements can be assigned
to geographical maps to further enhance the overview of the installation. A logical tree shows the relationship and

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hierarchical build-up between the network elements - this includes both base stations and repeaters. Alarm sources
indicate if faults have occurred in any of the repeaters and an extensive reporting tool enable optimised planning of the
network’s coverage.

WIRELESS
Efficient Network Supervision with Many Benefits
Central Management
All repeaters in a network can be managed from a central location. All repeater parameters can be read, all
alarms can be monitored and the repeaters can be easily accessed for configuration changes. The repeaters

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are totally controlled and managed via the AEM application which can be placed in any convenient indoor
facility, any distance from the network itself. The installation procedure is quick and simple and repeaters are
integrated into the AEM application once they are installed on site.

W I R E L ENetwork
S S Optimisation
The AEM can be used as a tool for network operators to optimise their networks. The repeaters send traffic
reports to the AEM at regular intervals. These reports are stored in a data base and can be monitored and
analysed at any time. Network operators can use this information to optimise the network based on real net
work utilisation. Information about where in the network, and at what times of day the traffic is high can be
very helpful in deciding where extra capacity should be added.

Excellent Overview
The network elements can be presented in different ways – either in logical trees or on geographical maps. In
the tree structure the relationship between network elements, both base stations and repeaters, are made
clear, which can be a valuable tool when it comes to network planning and trouble shooting. Geographical
maps describes the network in a different but yet useful way.
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 Efficient Alarm Management
The AEM logs all alarms for the repeaters in the network. An overview screen can be designed to display the
overall alarm situation for a whole network. The alarms can be structured and displayed in different manners
for example according to repeater ID, repeater type, alarm type, alarm severity and time frame. In this way the
AEM serves as a good tool for maintenance activities and planning.

Using the AEM

The Axell Wireless Element Manager is a software tool for operation and maintenance of a repeater network. It allows
configuration, supervision and communication function with the repeaters within a network. The user interface allows
management of users, geographical and structural overviews, repeater settings, reports, alarms and messages, etc.
Alarm thresholds and traffic reports can be configured, as well as search logs for detailed information about repeater
status.

User Interface
The AEM is a highly user-friendly application. It has a user interface similar to other Windows applications
which makes it easy to use. The AEM opens up several windows depending on the activities at hand. These
windows can be moved around to suit every user’s preferences.

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 Multi-user Functionality
The multi-user solution supports simultaneous use for up to 5 clients. Users can have different restrictions and
access rights and their own passwords. The user access levels to the connected repeaters can be controlled
from the AEM. All users that are logged into the AEM will receive information from the system regarding all
events and changes made in the system by other users.

Complete Repeater Management

A repeater can be fully monitored and controlled via the
AEM. In the status window parameters such as channel
numbers, uplink and downlink peak power, status of
different repeater parameters, external alarms, etc. are
displayed. Other windows display hardware configuration,
alarm log, sent messages log, traffic and heartbeat log.

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WIRELESS Network Configuration
A network is configured by adding repeaters to it, placing them on a
geographical or logical map and also placing them structurally in the
system and finally by configuring the AEM repeaters settings. These
settings are phone numbers, report intervals, etc. Base stations can
also be included in the network. They can be configured

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geographically and structurally in the AEM, but need no other
configuration.

WIRELESS Element Structure

The Element Explorer screen displays a tree-structure breakdown
view of the network. The repeaters and the base stations in the
network are called network elements. The structure shows the
inter-relationships and can be divided into regions to reflect the
actual layout of the network.

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Maps
The AEM has an advanced feature for handling geographic maps. The maps can show a part of a region, a
whole region or a country. They can be organised so that the users can zoom down from the top level to an
infinite number of sub-maps where the network elements are displayed.

The repeaters’ geographical positions on the maps are defined by GPS co-ordinates. The element
is displayed on all maps covering this specific location. The maps are added as pictures, and may be in jpg- or
bmp-format.

When the cursor is moved over a network element on a map an information box with data about the repeater or
base station is displayed. By clicking on the network symbol the Repeater/Base station Information function is
activated and access is given to more detailed information.

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Alarms and Heartbeats
All repeaters in a network send heartbeats to the AEM at regular intervals. They also send alarms to the AEM in case of
a failure. The cause of the alarm is clearly indicated. The Alarm Log function displays information about all alarms that
have been sent to the AEM from a selected repeater, the severity of the alarm and whether it has been acknowledged
or not. There is also a full alarm search function available. User-friendly alarm reports can be generated and printed.
Alarms can also be forwarded to other systems via files, TCP/IP or SNMP traps.

Traffic Monitoring
Depending on type of repeater the traffic through the repeater can be monitored. All traffic data is collected in a
traffic log where the data can be displayed in numbers or in a graphical from. Each traffic log contains 96 inter
vals of 15 minutes.
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 System Overview
The AEM consists of three applications. One is a Windows based user application with a graphical interface for
configuration and supervision of a repeater network. The second is a Message Server, taking care of all messages
between the AEM and the repeaters, including alarms. The third is a modem pool, managing the communication
between the repeaters and the AEM.

The database that is used is an InterBase® Relational Database. In this database all the repeater parameters, traffic log
and alarm logs are stored. During integration of a repeater into the AEM, all parameters are retrieved from the repeater
and stored in this database. Every change in a repeater updates the database. When someone logs in to a repeater and
changes one or more parameters, an alarm will be sent to the AEM, indicating that changes have been made.

Modem 1

Modem 2

Message Server

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Modem ...

Transceiver Modem N
Repeaters

W I R E L E Client
SElement
S UserManager
Interface
TCP/IP network ODBC
interface

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Database Backup Utility
Inprise InterBase
Database Engine
External Alarm
Forwarding
Interface
ODBC equipped
computer

Emergency Restore
Network
Management System

AEM Relay Interface

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 RMC Repeater Maintenance Console
The RMC is a software tool designed to support on-line communication with repeaters. The tool is used primarily at
commissioning of repeaters on site, but also as a tool for on-line monitoring and trouble shooting of repeaters.

All repeater parameters can be displayed and all settings in the repeater can be made via the RMC. Dynamic
information, such as traffic utilization, input and output power levels are updated continuously which makes the RMC an
excellent help for example at antenna installations and other adjustments in the system.

The RMC communicates with one repeater at a time, either via a RS232 interface directly into the repeater or via remote
access via modem.

The RMC has a user-friendly graphical interface that simplifies the communication with the repeater. No commands and
attributes need to be used, but all settings are made through clicking, data input and pull down menus.

The same RMC can be used for all repeater types. At login the RMC detects the repeater type and adjusts the user
interface to fit the current type.

features

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User friendly Windows based interface

Provides an online status report of the repeater configurations

W I R E L E Excellent
S S for troubleshooting applications
Configurations can be adjusted on a site-by-site basis.

Traffic monitoring via the RMC, the repeater firmware is automatically updated to the latest version in use.

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 Management & Control Solutions_rev C

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Axell Wireless uk Axell Wireless sweden

Asheridge Road Box 7139
Chesham, Bucks 174 07 Sundbyberg
HP5 2QD, UK Sweden
Tel: + 44 (0) 1494 777000 info@axellwireless.com Tel: + 46 (0) 8 475 4700
Fax: + 44 (0) 1494 777002 www.axellwireless.com Fax: + 46 (0) 8 475 4799

© Axell Wireless Ltd