AP Access Processor

The AP is based around a modular chassis, which is available in 3 sizes:

• AP3000: 3 Slot (2U 19 inch rackmount)
• AP4000: 4-5 Slot (4U 19 inch rackmount)
• AP8000: 8-9 Slot (6U 19 inch rackmount)

The AP supports the following non-ATM interface types:

• Telecoms: T1, E1, E2, E3, DS3
• Datacoms: 10/100BaseT, EIA530, HSSI
• Broadcast: ASI
• Satellite: EIA530, HSSI, ECL, ASI

The AP supports the following ATM interface types:

• Telecoms: E1, E2, E3, DS3, STM-1, OC-3
• Datacoms: EIA530, HSSI
• Broadcast: ASI
• Satellite: EIA530, HSSI, ECL, ASI

The AP is a flexible modular platform which can support a wide variety of communication transmission applications, of which a few examples are shown below.

Example Applications

1. Satellite Backhaul
2. ATM over Satellite
3. Transport encrypted data over an ATM network
4. Multi-service Convergence over Satellite
5. Asymmetrical Satellite Services
6. High Speed Satellite Data Services
7. Satellite Service Distribution

Satellite Backhaul

This application diagram shows how a pair of AP3000s can be used to backhaul a variety of different data services from a satellite earth station to a remote router. Asymmetric services with exacting clocking and timing requirements can be implemented using the flexible interface modules supported on the AP platform thereby maximising the satellite data throughput. A wide variety of satellite modem interfaces can be supported including EIA530, HSSI, ECL and ASI, and these services can be backhauled over a wide variety of terrestrial leased lines including E3, DS3 and STM-1/OC-3.

ATM over Satellite

This application diagram shows how a wide variety of ATM services can be transported over satellite services operating both symmetrically and asymmetrically at flexible transmission rates. The serial ATM UNI modules (EIA530 UNI, HSSI UNI and ASI UNI) support the transport of native ATM cells across the serial interfaces offered by satellite modems, and having DTE interfaces, these modules will operate at the exact speeds specified by the satellite modems, even highly asymmetrically. A wide variety of ATM services including E3, DS3 and STM-1/OC3 can be transported over a wide variety of satellite modem interfaces including EIA530, HSSI and ASI.

Transport encrypted data over an ATM network

This application diagram shows how encrypted data can be transported across an ATM network. Flexible circuit emulation modules supporting exact frequencies and complex clocking modes transport encrypted data transparently across an ATM network irrespective of the application or data rate.

Multi-service Convergence over Satellite

This application diagram shows how multiple services can be converged over a satellite link. Voice, video and data services can be converged, prioritised and transported across a satellite link. The flexibility offered by the different AP interface modules allows a wide variety of voice, data and video services to be supported, for example: E1 PBX, HSSI and Ethernet router data, E3, DS3 and STM-1/OC3 ATM switch data, as well as E3 and ASI broadcast video. This converged data can be transported over a wide variety of satellite modem interfaces including EIA530, HSSI and ASI.

Asymmetrical Satellite Services

This application diagram shows how asymmetric data services can be provisioned over a satellite link. This scenario is particularly useful for international internet services which are by definition highly asymmetric. Metrodata's solution here resolves the transmission problems by interfacing between the terrestrial and satellite networks. In particular the uni-directional functionality offered on the AP platform can allow different interfaces to be used for each direction, e.g. the use of a HSSI satellite modulator and an EIA530 satellite demodulator.

High Speed Satellite Data Services

This application diagram shows how a high speed data service can be provisioned over a satellite link. Metrodata have a number of customers who are benefitting from maximising their satellite data throughput by overcoming the historic limitations imposed by their terrestrial network. In particular problems arise when trying to deliver satellite services above 52Mbps (the maximum rate supported via router HSSI interfaces and STS-1/OC-1 services) and below 155Mbps (which can only be achieved with the highest performance satellite infrastructure).

Satellite Service Distribution

This application diagram shows how multiple high speed data services can be provisioned from a single hub over multiple speed satellite links. The assocaited infrastructure savings within the satellite earth station can be considerable.

The AP3000 chassis has the following features:

• 3 hot swap interface module slots
• Compact 2U 19 inch rackmount chassis
• Choice of Integral Power Supply, 100-250V AC or -48V DC
• Local Management via Dual RS232 Console Ports (9-way D-type connectors with both DCE and DTE pinouts)
• Remote Management via Integral 10/100BaseT Management Port (also offers limited performance RFC1483 data path)
• Station Clock Port
• External Alarm Relay Port (9-way D-type)

The AP3000 is typically used to back-haul Asymmetric satellite services cost effectively over fiber, WAN, ATM or microwave radio links. The AP3000 can also be used as a Satellite de-multiplexer in a Hub/Spoke network.

The AP4000 chassis has the following features:

• 4 to 5 hot swap interface module slots
• 4U 19 inch rackmount chassis
• Choice of Single or Redundant Hot Swappable Power Supply, 100-250V AC or -48V DC
• Local Management via Dual RS232 Console Ports (9-way D-type connectors with both DCE and DTE pinouts)
• Optional Call Processor for In-band Remote Management (alternatively this slot can be used for 5th interface module)
• Station Clock Port
• External Alarm Relay Port (9-way D-type)
  

The AP4000 is typically used as a Satellite Hub Multiplexer to aggregate multiple terrestrial services over satellite, or aggregate multiple satellite services over fiber, WAN, ATM or microwave links. Where redundant power supplies are a requirement it can also be used as a Satellite de-multiplexer in a Hub/Spoke network.

The AP4000 can be used for high speed satellite link back-haul, where there is a requirement to support 3-4 satellite services over a single link.

The AP8000 chassis has the following features:

• 8 or 9 hot swap interface module slots
• 6U 19 inch rackmount chassis
• Choice of Single or Redundant Hot Swappable Power Supply, 100-250V AC or -48V DC
• Local Management via Dual RS232 Console Ports (9-way D-type connectors with both DCE and DTE pinouts)
• Optional Call Processor for In-band Remote Management (alternatively this slot can be used for 9th interface module)
• Station Clock Port
  
• External Alarm Relay Port (9-way D-type)

The AP8000 can be used to aggregate multiple satellite services at high data rates, across a variety of infrastructures. Within Military Satcoms it provides a means of multiplexing up to 8 remote satellite terminal links onto a single back-haul or reach-back link. Added to this is the fact that it can run 7 EIA530 Crypto End to End links at a Maximum 20Mbps per link.

There are many different ways of using the AP to converge and transport a variety of different non-ATM services over either non-ATM or ATM infrastructures.

These modules use unstructured AAL.1 adaptation to transport data streams with ANY payload data format transparently over alternative infrastructures.

The following services are supported by the AP Circuit Emulation "CE" modules:

• Telco Circuits and Standard Terrestrial Interfaces - T1, E1, E2, E3 and DS3
• Serial Satellite, Broadcast and Crypto Interfaces - EIA530, HSSI, ECL and ASI
  
• IP, Ethernet and LAN - 10/100Base T Wire Speed

Further detail about the applications supported are via the links below:

These non-ATM services can be concentrated, muxed using the ATM modules shown on the ATM UNI Modules tab, as well as being integrated with ATM services and muxed over ATM trunks.

The Metrodata AP supports the standard ATM interfaces common on other complimentary ATM switches so we can easily interoperate with Cisco, FORE, Alcatel etc. We also specialise in supporting legacy and new serial interface speeds on our AP platform, providing ATM cell transport over serial.

The AP supports the following ATM interfaces / services:

• Telco Circuits and Standard Terrestrial Interfaces - E1, E2, E3, DS3 and OC-3 / STM-1
• Serial Satellite and Crypto Interfaces - EIA530, HSSI and ASI
• APS Switching and Resilience - APS protected SDH UNI module (operates at OC-3 / STM-1)

A great deal of deployed AP units are with the US DoD and as such we have developed and continue to develop specific modules for Defense requirements, as well as adding Defense features to existing Modules.

These ATM UNI modules supported are shown below (click on a link to for further information):

• E1 ATM UNI - enable connection to ATM services, either as network or switch ports.
• E2 ATM UNI - enable connection to ATM services, either as network or switch ports.
• E3 ATM UNI - enable connection to ATM services, either as network or switch ports.
• DS3 ATM UNI - enable connection to ATM services, either as network or switch ports.
• STM1/OC3 ATM UNI - enable connection to ATM services, either as network or switch ports.
• APS Protected SDH UNI - enable important circuits to have a backup fibre to ensure network survivability in the event of failure.
• EIA530 UNI - enable direct connection to an EIA530 satellite modem at up to 20Mbps, supporting native ATM UNI data.
  
• HSSI UNI - enable direct connection to an HSSI satellite modem at up to 110Mbps, supporting native ATM UNI data.
• ASI UNI - enable direct connection to broadcast infrastructure, e.g. an ASI satellite modem at up to 155Mbps.