TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

Altobridge lite-site TM
Remote Community Solution
Overview Rev 2.0

altoPodTM exterior view & external connectors (height 77cm)

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 1 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

1. Altobridge lite-siteTM Remote Community Solution

Introduction
As the Altobridge Remote Community solution targets areas with limited or non existing telecom
infrastructure, often outside the power grid and where subscriber populations do not support costly
macro network installations, care has been taken to minimize all aspects of the Total Cost of
Ownership. This is evident in the site, requirement, power utilization and satellite backhaul
bandwidth utilization. Low cost Operation and Maintenance is also a key design objective that has
influenced the development of the solution.
The Altobridge lite-siteTM is a complete BSS system which comprises of two key components: the
altoPodTM located at the remote site and its counter part, the Altobridge altoGatewayTM - colocated at the MNOs Mobile Switching Centre. The picture below shows the typical network
architecture of the Altobridge Remote Community Solution connecting to the MNOs existing core
network.

Figure 1a Remote Community Solution Architecture

Altobridge lite-siteTM supports both clustered architecture (multiple altoPodTM in one cluster) and
single isolated remote architecture. Altobridge lite-siteTM is a complete Base Station System that
can be, and is, commercially connected to all major network infrastructure suppliers core networks
at customer sites. The key differentiator between the Altobridge BSS and all other solutions is its
unique Split ArchitectureTM.
The Altobridge lite-siteTM has not only been designed with optimised satellite bandwidth and power
consumption efficiencies at the forefront, but also with transportability and ease of on-site assembly
in mind. A sectioned antenna pole is used instead of traditional large lattice tower structures and the
entire installation, commissioning and user acceptance process takes less than 2 days to complete.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 2 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

Figure 1b Typical Altobridge lite-siteTM

The picture of the model lite-site shows how a simple low cost infrastructure can be used to
deploy the Altobridge lite-siteTM.
Key Solution characteristics

BSS only solution interoperable with any standard GSM MSC

All outdoor BTS equipment with low weight and low foot print
Optimised for VSAT backhaul with minimum bandwidth utilization only 4kbps per call
Low power consumption

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 3 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

1.1 lite-site components

The four main solution elements required to build a lite-site are BSS, Transmission, Power and
Infrastructure. Altobridge only supplies the BSS components as shown below. All remaining
elements like Transmission, Power and Infrastructure are not provided by Altobridge.

RF materials like GSM antennas, cable jumpers, connectors and accessories are also not
supplied by Altobridge.

1.2 lite-siteTM deployment

Altobridge deployment strategy is cookie cutter, low cost rapid deployment with minimal process
and touch time. For massive roll out with speed the cookie cutter approach with single isolated
sites in each village is ideal. This reduces the complexity in the design, reduces the cost and
allows speed roll out as all sites are identical.
altoPodTM is typically deployed in a O2 or S2 config and multiple altoPodTM can be clustered in
sector config to achieve higher TRX configurations such as S22, S222 etc. Clustering should be
considered only in areas where high capacity is needed. The interconnection between multiple
altoPodTM is just IP using Ethernet cable. The table below shows the capacity increase due to
sectorization and clustering of a Altobridge lite-siteTM based on typical traffic profile for rural areas
assuming 10mE per sub traffic, 2% GOS, 80% AMR-HR
Cluster Config

No of TRX

Erlangs

O2/S2
S22
S222

2
4
6

17.50
35.00
52.50

Supported
subscribers
1750
3500
5250

Typical altoPodTM antenna configuration

The picture below shows the typical antenna configuration for a altoPodTM in an Omni
configuration and sector configuration

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 4 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

O2Config

Technical Overview

S2Config
XPolSectorAnt

OmniAnt

altoPod

RFcable,SFX
500NMto
DINM

RFcable,SFX
500NMto
DINM

altoPod

+40dBm(10W)
ateachRFport

+40dBm(10W)
ateachRFport

Figure 1c Typical antenna configurations

2. Altobridge Advantage
Altobridge offers a GSM/3G/4G BSS/RAN solution for the 1.5 billion people living in areas with no
other connectivity than satellite. Altobridge lite-site is a quick, simple, low-cost BSS/RAN for
satellite backhaul with 3 main benefits:
1. Lowest Cost Transmission - bandwidth utilisation: as low as 50 kbps for 2 TRX (4kbps per
call)
2. Lowest power consumption: 90W typical for 2 TRX (10W RF output power per TRX),
enabling solar-power-only sites (100% renewable energy) or lowering the cost of genset
3. Lowest site cost: the all-in-1 compact altoPod enables a more simple and lighter site
than traditional BTSs
These benefits enable mobile coverage in remote communities where expensive traditional
solutions are not economically or practically feasible.

Altobridge offers the worlds most cost effective solution for remote communities in the following
ways:
Lowest Cost Transmission

Altobridge BSS solution offers the lowest satellite bandwidth utilization: as low as 4kbps
per voice call or 50kbps per 2-TRX BTS

The solution is all-IP and is optimized for use over a satellite link. It offers on-demand use
of the transmission link (0kbps when no calls are made), best-in-class optimization of the
Abis-interface and local switching to further reduce satellite bandwidth utilization.
Critically, it satisfies the requirement for Lawful Intercept (LI) of Locally Switched calls

With this lowest-transmission solution Altobridge solution minimize CAPEX on the VSAT
antenna and RF power (BUC) spec. This minimizes the CAPEX on the VSAT and power
solution and minimizes the OPEX on satellite transmission (space segment)

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 5 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

Lowest Power Consumption

Altobridge offers the lowest power BSS solution at 90W average power consumption per
2-TRX BTS. This DC-powered unit comes with intelligent power management that powers
down the non-traffic bearing TRX and associated PA during periods of low traffic. All this
makes it ideal for deployment using 100% solar power.

This solution produces 10 Watt RF output power per transceiver and can deliver coverage
up to 10km distance. While practically the terrain rarely permits coverage more than a few
km from the village, this RF output power does enable excellent in-building coverage in
the serviced area.

Because of the lower transmission bandwidth usage a lower-power VSAT Power Amplifier
(PA) may be used further reducing power consumption on site.

These power savings translate to lower CAPEX in the power solution. In the case of a
solar power solution for example, the Altobridge lite-siteTM can be deployed with fewer
solar panels and batteries than competing solutions.

Lowest Site Cost

Altobridge offers a BSS that combines the GSM BTS and satellite optimization hardware
in an all-in-one lightweight, small form factor, easy to deploy, fully sealed, outdoor unit.

The unit comes with a single outdoor CAT5 cable to the transmission equipment and is
passive cooled so there is no need for a shelter for the BSS equipment. This minimizes
the site material and deployment cost (lower CAPEX).

The unit has no Field-Replaceable Units (FRUs) making it easier to maintain (lower
OPEX) ... i.e. if there is a hardware fault you swap the unit instead of sending experienced
field engineers to trouble shoot on site. Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) is
maximized through the use of no moving parts.

Features: GSM, GPRS, EDGE with upgrade path to 3G

2.1 Competitive Advantage

The table below shows the main benefits of the Altobridge lite-siteTM compared to a typical
competitors solution
Description

Altobridge lite-siteTM

Typical Competitors Solution

Optimized backhaul over VSAT

Only 4 kbps per active call on

VSAT backhaul

Typically 14kbps per call

Zero traffic on backhaul when

no active call or data usage

Altobridge lite-siteTM supports

zero idle traffic on VSAT
backhaul when no voice calls

Not supported (requires Split

ArchitectureTM)

Low power consumption at

remote site

90W average

Above 130W

Local ConnectivityTM

Supported

Not supported by most

competitors

Altobridge Data-at-the-edgeTM

Supported

Not Supported

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 6 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

3. Product Overview
3.1 altoPod
The all IP altoPodTM is an outdoor, passively cooled BTS with built-in 10Watt carrier, providing up
to 10km coverage radius.
The altoPodTM comprises of the following
features

Remote BSC Gateway

Split ArchitectureTM
Abis on-demand feature
Abis Optimization feature
Channel Quenching feature
Local ConnectivityTM feature
Altobridge Data-at-the-edge TM
Intra Cluster local switching feature

Key Specifications
Description

2G

3G

Frequency band

GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

UMTS 2100 MHz (900 MHz

future)

Capacity

2 TRX (EFR/AMR-HR)

16 sessions (voice or data)

RF output power

+40 dBm (10W)

+40 dBm (10W)

Range

Up to 10 km

Up to 2 km

Receiver sensitivity

-108 dBm at 2% BER

-121 dBm at BER of 0.001 for

12kbps

Data Throughput

GPRS/EDGE

HSPA (14 Mbps downlink,

5.8Mbps uplink)

Size & Weight

77x26x15 cm & 23kg

77x26x15 cm & 23kg

Average power consumption

90 Watt

90 Watt

3.2 Altobridge altoGateway

The altoGateway includes the following network elements:
1.

A altoGateway server controls the signalling from the remote sites and detects voice
activities as required to enable the local switching functions
2. Standard Media Gateway for IP-to-TDM conversion
The functions of altoGateway i.e.:
-

Controls handover and local switching between remote sites (reducing backhaul
utilization).
Controls the TRA function and provides IP-TDM conversion.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 7 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

A Single altoGateway can handle up to 32 E1s. The maximum Erlang capacity of altoGateway is
892 Erlangs
Altobridge altoGatewayTM comprises of the following

Part of the split BSC function,

3GPP BSC/RNC
E1 termination (standard Aif to MSC & Gb to SGSN)
Voice transcoding
O&M
LI support

Hardware Specifications

2 Quad Core Intel Xeon 5600

6GB RAM
2 x 146GB Disks configured as RAID
1 x 2 port (A102) E1 card
4 Ethernet Interfaces
2 x 16 port Media Gateway (MGW)

3.3 altoMangaer
The Altobridge Network Management System called the altoManager provides key monitoring
functionality for multiple altoGateway servers, Media Gateways, switches and altoPod. The
Performance Manager is a software feature on the altoManager that provides complete visibility
of BSS KPIs. Automatic OMC backups for all altoGateway are also performed by the
altoManager.
Hardware Specifications
2 Quad Core Intel Xeon E5506
8GB RAM
3 x 500GB Disks configured as RAID
4 Ethernet Interfaces
1+1 460W PSU
Altobridge Performance Manager
The Altobridge Performance Manager is a software application installed on the altoManager
which is a key application for monitoring the lite-site network;

Allows operators to maintain Quality of Service of the remote network

Allows operator to react quickly to problems in the field
Allows operator to trend analysis and traffic growth in the remote network
The Altobridge Performance application combined with NFSEN helps operator to get the
most from remote GSM networks. In particular, optimisation of the satellite network is key
to keep OPEX costs at a minimum.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 8 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

4. BSS Features
The following features mentioned in this section are all included as part of the proposed solution to in
Altobridge Software release 4.9.

4.1 Split-BSC & Abis Optimization

In Split ArchitectureTM the BSC is split into two and part of the BSC functionality in integrated into
the altoPod.
This unique Split ArchitectureTM has several advantages over traditional Abis Optimization. The
Split ArchitectureTM terminates all Abis signalling and speech packets within the altoPod - that is,
before the satellite link. Altobridges solution thus has full control over all information sent on the
satellite link, independent of the BTS and the mobiles.

Figure 4a- Altobridge Optimization

Using its unique Split Architecture Altobridge solution supports several optimization techniques as
shown in the picture above. The following features are very unique to Altobridge solution.

4.1.1 Bandwidth on Demand

The satellite link is only used when needed for revenue generating traffic. No packets are sent
over the back-haul when there is no subscriber traffic, this saves bandwidth and allows powersave mode to be used on satellite modems. As a result, Altobridges Remote Community solution
has no idle load on the satellite link.

4.1.2 Configurable codec over satellite

Speech transcoding in the altoPod means that a low rate codec can be used on the backhaul
regardless of which codec the mobile is using. Currently, Altobridge uses AMR Half Rate coding
on the satellite link to maintain high speech quality while using the link as efficiently as possible.
23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 9 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

This technique, in conjunction with regular Abis Optimization techniques such as IP header
compression, empty frame removal and silence suppression not only minimizes the backhaul
bandwidth used but it also ensures that the same low bandwidth is used independent of the
speech codecs used on the air interface. There is thus no need to use Half Rate speech codecs
on the air interface to save Abis capacity, and backhaul bandwidth planning can be more exact.
Transcoding from FR on the air interface to AMR HR on the backhaul not only delivers high voice
quality on the air interface but also takes advantage of the lower bandwidth requirements of the
AMR HR codec, without compromising on voice quality.

4.1.3 Intelligent Radio Resource Management

Radio Resource Management requires extensive signaling on the Abis interface. The remote side
of the Split ArchitectureTM the Remote Gateway in the altoPod terminates all this signaling and
responds to the BTS/MS when appropriate. Any call related signaling that is required by the MSC
is passed on to the MSC, while other signaling is used by the Remote Gateway as required.
There are two advantages with this way of handling Radio Resource Management at a site
backhauled over satellite. Firstly, only signaling required at the central location is sent over the
satellite link. Secondly, the performance is enhanced as latency for necessary Radio Resource
Management messages are removed. Particularly, the Call Setup Success Rate, which typically
drops when satellite backhaul is used, is maintained at a high level.

4.1.4 Paging Optimization

Global Paging messages are important to ensure successful call completion. In a TDM system
Global Paging load on the links is not a real issue. On satellite backhaul links the situation can be
quite the contrary, requiring over dimensioned links and thus higher cost, to handle traffic that is
not revenue generating.
In Altobridges Remote Community solution, the problem has been solved in the altoGateway. The
altoGateway keeps a list of all mobiles registered at each remote site. Before a Global Paging
message is sent to a particular site, the list is checked. The message is then sent to the site only if
the paged mobile is registered at the site.

4.1.5 Channel Quenching

Channel Quenching is a unique feature of the Altobridge GSM solution that will reduce satellite
bandwidth costs for operators. For the Remote Community the Channel Quenching features
saves satellite backhaul costs by not allocating the audio path between the altoGateway and the
altoPod for the MO leg of a call and the MT leg (if applicable) until the call has been connected.
So bandwidth will be saved during the Call Setup phase of answered calls and furthermore
bandwidth will be saved for the Call Setup phase of unanswered calls.
From analysis of network statistics from number of operators in developing markets, a few
important aspects have been discovered;

The Call Answered rate is very low. The impact of this is that expensive satellite
resources are being allocated for calls that are never result in revenue for the operator as
the calls are unanswered

The average alerting time can be up to 15 seconds

Using calling patterns from several markets, Altobridge have concluded in tests that
backhaul bandwidth savings of 20% to 25% from Channel Quenching is normal.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 10 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

4.1.6 PCU at remote altoPodTM

The Altobridge implementation of GPRS in the remote community solution is that the PCU is
located at the BTS (altoPod). This is not the case for other BSS vendors. In these cases,
particularly over satellite links, this places limitations on GPRS for these solutions. Also if there are
high delays over the satellite links, then this can result in considerable satellite backhaul usage
during resynchronization between the BTS and PCU at the BSC location. The Altobridge
implementation does not have any such limitations.

4.2 altoClusterTM
Altobridge lite-site supports Clustered architecture where multiple altoPodTM can be used in a
single Cluster to increase both capacity and coverage area. The picture below shows a typical
altoCluster network architecture

Figure 4b Altobridge lite-siteTM Clustered architecture

Clustering can also be used to increase coverage area where multiple litesite can be
Clustered together using a terrestrial IP connection (eg. Ethernet, fiber, microwave or 5.8 GHz
pointtopoint). In this scenario multiple sites are Clustered together and backhauled over a
single VSAT link thereby covering a wider area of coverage
Altobridge also supports Intra-Cluster Local SwitchingTM which enables local switching between
the Clustered sites thereby further reducing the backhaul bandwidth requirement over a greater
coverage area. Clustering provides for an increase in traffic capacity, a greater coverage area and
also significantly reduces the OPEX by reducing the bandwidth requirement.

4.3 Local ConnectivityTM

Altobridge supports Local ConnectivityTM which switches local calls within the altoPod thereby
removing the backhaul requirement for all local calls. Altobridge also supports Intra-Cluster Local
SwitchingTM which enables local switching between the Clustered sites thereby further reducing
the backhaul bandwidth requirement over a greater coverage area. Local ConnectivityTM ensures
that all local calls are kept local, while all signalling related to the local call is sent back to the
altoGateway and MSC. This ensures that charging and supplementary services can be handled
transparently by the core network.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 11 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

altoGatewayTM maintains the subscriber location and Local Switching is performed by routing RTP
streams over IP.
Altobridge lite-siteTM supports 3 levels of local switching

BTS-level (Intra BTS) within the altoPodTM

Cluster-level (Intra Cluster) within the cluster
Inter Cluster from one cluster to another (in a mesh VSAT architecture)

4.3.1 Local Switching Intra BTS

IP
IP

Ab
is

is
Ab

Figure 4c Local Switching Intra BTS

When MO (mobile originated) and MT (mobile terminated) mobiles are both in the same BTS Intra BTS
local switching takes place. The voice packets are switched within the BTS and only signalling is sent
over to the Core MSC through the Altobridge altoGatewayTM.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 12 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

4.3.2 Local Switching Intra Cluster

Remote Sites

altoGateway

Core Network

Satellite
IP

altoPod

is
Ab

altoPod
.
.
.

VSAT Antenna

IP Transmission
(Terrestrial Wireless)

VSAT Antenna

altoPod

.
.
.

altoGateway
Ab
is

altoPod
IP

altoPod

OMC

A Interface
Gb In
te

face

MSS
GSN

Cluster 1

VSAT Antenna

Single Isolated
Remote Site 1

altoPod

Single Isolated
Remote Site 2

altoPod

VSAT Antenna

VSAT Antenna

Single Isolated
Remote Site 3

altoPod
Voice
Signaling

Figure 4d Local Switching Intra Cluster

When MO and MT mobiles are both in the same cluster Intra cluster local switching takes place. The
voice packets are switched between the BTSs in the same cluster and only signalling is sent over to
the Core MSC through the Altobridge altoGatewayTM.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 13 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

4.3.3 Local Switching Inter Cluster

IP
is
Ab
IP

Ab
is

Gb In
tefac
e

Figure 4e Local Switching Inter Cluster

When MO and MT mobiles are in two different clusters Inter cluster local switching takes place. The
voice packets are switched between the BTSs in the different cluster via the VSAT and only signalling
is sent over to the Core MSC. It provides significant bandwidth savings in a Mesh VSAT network.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 14 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

4.4 Handover
Remote Sites

altoGateway

Handover
within Cluster

Core Network

Satellite
IP
is
Ab

altoPod
altoPod
.
.
.

VSAT Antenna

VSAT Antenna

IP Transmission
(Terrestrial Wireless)

altoPod

.
.
.

altoGateway

Handover
Remote Area - Macro Network

IP

altoPod

Ab
i

altoPod

Cluster 1

OMC

Handover
between Clusters

A Interface
Gb In
te

face

MSS
GSN

Macro Network

VSAT Antenna

Single Isolated
Remote Site 1

altoPod

Single Isolated
Remote Site 2

altoPod

Single Isolated
Remote Site 3

altoPod

VSAT Antenna

VSAT Antenna

Figure 4f Handover
Three types of handovers are supported

Handover within the cluster

Handover between clusters
Handover with Macro Networks

4.5 altoPodTM Intelligent PA management

Live traffic figures from commercial deployments have shown that typically the 2nd TRX is only
needed for 4 to 6 hours a day. Hence Altobridge has implemented this Intelligent PA management
feature in its altoPodTM where the PA for the 2nd TRX can go into dormancy during off-peak hours
and the traffic channel assignment is biased towards the 1st TRX to prolong the dormancy of 2nd
TRX. This significantly reduces the overall power consumption of the site thereby reducing the
CAPEX & OPEX required for a solar power solution or a diesel generator power solution.

4.6 Lawful Intercept

In the case where a locally switched call needs to be lawfully intercepted, the Up Link voice
packets from both parties are duplicated on the altoPodTM and sent back to the MSC via the
Altobridge altoGatewayTM to be switched to the Lawful Intercept node. This is how the voice is
duplicated without interrupting the locally switched calls.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 15 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

Signalling for all calls handled

as normal by altoGateway
and CN.

altoPod duplicates UL
traffic for both legs of call.

Remote site 1

altoPod

satcom

Sub A
HI1 - Control interface

altoGateway
Sub B
altoGateway passes UL traffic to MSC
DL traffic remains suppressed
Voice call remains
locally switched

LIMS

MSC

Control and media interface

Figure 4g Lawful Intercept

The diagram above shows how the lawful intercept works for a locally switched call. The voice
path is always routed to the Lawful Intercept node by the MSC.
There are two ways of identifying whether a call needs to be locally switched.
Option 1 - a HI1 interface between altoGateway and LIMS (Lawful Interface Management
System) node using which the call is determined whether it needs to be lawfully intercepted or not.
Option 2 - The MSC interfaces with the LIMS node with a HI1 interface and informs the Altobridge
altoGatewayTM whether the call needs to be lawfully intercepted using an embedded lawful
interface tag.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 16 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

5. OSS
Element Management (OMC) function resides within the altoGateway Server. The Network
Management functionality typically resides on a separate server in different location than the
altoGateway.
The O&M function within the altoGateway Server is responsible for the management of all the
Altobridge lite-site. The function manages all O&M data, i.e. faults, events, configuration and
performance data from the altoGateway and all attached altoPod nodes.

Figure 5a O&M System Architecture

The OMC uses a thin client based interface. This provides a Web based User Interface (UI) that
provides management information via a standard Internet browser (eg. Mozilla, Internet Explorer or
Opera). The UI provides reporting, alarm alert and event based access plus the configuration of
network elements and the statistical analysis of performance indicators.
The Web based UI interacts with the O&M application through an Apache Tomcat Servlet engine. The
web tier displays management information and validation of user input to the management application.
The following illustration shows the Web User Interface architecture.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 17 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

Figure 5b Web User Interface Architecture

Integration to higher level manager using SNMP

The altoGateway - located at the operators Mobile Switching Centre supports supports northbound
interface to 3rd party management systems. The O&M Function uses the Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP) for exchanging management information. The figure below shows the basic SNMP
architecture.

Figure 5C SNMP Architecture

Altobridge Network Management System (altoManager)
The Altobridge altoManager system provides key monitoring functionality for multiple altoGateway
servers, Media Gateways, switches and altoPodusing powerful open source tools Nagios and
NFSEN The altoManager may be located at a different physical location than the Altobridge lite site
infrastructure. The core functionality provided by the altoManager is;
Visibility of connectivity status of all elements: altoPod, VSAT modems, microwave
infrastructure
Alarming indicators if VSAT modem or altoPod connectivity or service is disrupted
Alarming indicators if any abnormalities are detected in the Altobridge equipment such as
loss of connectivity, software process problems
23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 18 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

Round Trip time (RTT) from remote altoPod

Real time traffic information from remote altoPod and altoGateway servers
Storing backups of altoGateway servers
Real time bandwidth monitoring of satellite links
Optional Performance Management (PM) functionality
MGW visibility

Altobridge Performance Manager

The Altobridge Performance Manager is a software application installed on the altoManager and is a
key application for monitoring the lite-site network;

Allows operators to maintain Quality of Service of the remote network

Allows operator to react quickly to problems in the field
Allows operator to trend analysis and traffic growth in the remote network

The Altobridge Performance application combined with NFSEN helps operator to get the most from
remote GSM networks. In particular, optimisation of the satellite network is key to keep OPEX costs at
a minimum
Nagios
Nagios is a powerful open source network monitoring application that enables organizations to identify
and resolve IT infrastructure problems before they affect critical business processes. In the case of the
Altobridge lite-site, it provides the Mobile Network Operator with another layer of management
functionality and enhanced monitoring. The Nagios software resides on the altoManager server and
provides the following features;
Monitoring of altoPod nodes and remote VSAT modems and their availability
uptime/downtime
Monitoring or Round Trip Times (RTT) to remote sites and VSAT modems
Monitoring of altoGateway processes
Alert notification immediately when service or host problems arise
Web interface for viewing current network status, notification, problem history
Development suite to enable the network operator to develop its own plug-ins to meet
their individual requirements
NFSEN
NFSEN is a software tool for monitoring and measuring bandwidth on network links. In the case of
Altobridge lite-site, NFSEN is used for monitoring traffic and bandwidth from each remote altoPod
site. NFSEN resides on the altoManager and provides;

Real Time Throughput data from altoPod sites

Real Time Throughput on altoGateway level
Display of traffic information in real time for immediate detection of issues at remote sites
Web interface for data and graphical viewing
Breakdown of satellite bandwidth usage into Voice, signaling and GPRS
Facility to generate email alerts if traffic levels fall below threshold levels

Performance Management
The O&M function gathers data from both the remote elements of the network i.e. the altoPod and
altoGateway itself. The counters from each altoPod are periodically sent to the altoGateway.
The Performance Management feature enables the operator to access performance counters from
all nodes.
The Performance Management function provides the following data;
23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 19 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

Counters storage from all nodes i.e.

o altoPod statistics
o altoGateway statistics

altoGateway proprietary Audit Logs

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) of counters to external Performance Management
server
Display of counter data for specific time parameters
Storage of Performance Management data for 90 days

Performance data is automatically exported to the Altobridge PM server or to 3rd party PM Servers. The
Altobridge PM Server is a standard software feature on the altoManager that provides visibility of BSS
KPIs.
Configuration Management

Creation/deletion/Cloning of GSM objects through OMC GUI

GSM parameter modification
Software upgrade of altoGateway and altoPod

Fault Management
Alarms and Events detected or generated on each network element are forwarded to the OMC using
the GSM 12.21 O&M protocol. Alarms from each remote altoPod are forwarded over satellite link to
the OMC process running on the altoGateway. Alarms from the altoGateway are forwarded from
within to the OMC process.
_
.
The Management System Event Manager (EM) and Fault Manager (FM) enables
List of all active alarms
History view of previous alarms
Alarm Management
Event Display
Alarm Register Information
AN SNMP interface enables real-time forwarding of alarms to a third party Network Management
System.
The Fault management function provides the following functions:

Real Time Alarm Monitoring for all Altobridge lite-site nodes

Presentation of Alarm Information, Alarm Header, Status, Alarm Severity
Automatic Alarm Clearing
Alarm Filtering on Source, Event Type, Perceived Severity, Probably Cause, Specific
Problem, Time,
Alarm History
Alarm Purge
Event Handling

Security
The Altobridge OMC comes with all the latest IT security tools found on any LAMP server used on the
internet. Remote access to the OMC must be provided by the Network Operator. The preferred method
is to allocate one or more public IP addresses to the altoGateway and implement firewall, access
control policies using the extensive IT security tools of the altoGateway.
Software Upgrades
altoPod and altoGateway software upgrades may be fully performed remotely via the OMC and
altoGateway.
23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 20 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

6. Roadmap Features
The following are roadmap features planned in release 5.0

6.1 Data-at-the-edgeTM
Altobridge Data-at-the-edge enables mobile network operators to maximize the efficiency of
their existing mobile data network infrastructure by reducing mobile data backhaul requirements
by over 50% through:
d

HTTP acceleration for improved performance over high latency backhaul

In-line data compression
User data caching
Header compression
Data traffic management (QoS, congestion control)
Least cost-routing including offload to Internet
3G mobile broadband user experience over satellite

Figure 6a Altobridge Data-at-the-edge

The picture above shows the Altobridge Data-at-the-edge network setup which maximizes the
efficiency of the operators mobile data network.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 21 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

7. VSAT Transmission Requirements

The VSAT equipment is supplied by a third party VSAT provider in cooperation with Altobridge.
The usual satellite terminal required for the Remote Community Solution to connect to the satellite
network is 1.2 meter in diameter .The satellites are in geostationary orbit at 36000 km, both Kuband and C-Band systems can be used to transport voice and signaling from Altobridge networks

7.1 VSAT requirement

7.1.1 VSAT modem requirement
The VSAT modem located at the remote site is connected directly to the Ethernet switch at the
VSAT site. The VSAT modem converts voice and signaling from the BTS and send it out over an
IP connection over the VSAT back to the Altobridge altoGatewayTM. The following will be required
of the VSAT modem hardware

Ethernet port to connect altoPod to the Satellite modem

7.1.2 VSAT Software/Features

The VSAT modem must support

QoS management for upstream and downstream traffic to allow prioritization of voice traffic
from GSM cell over other IP based applications like email and web browsing. This can be
achieved by filtering traffic based on IP address, port number or protocol.
Access technologies. Altobridge can work with both SCPC and DAMA/TDMA/FTDMA on
both K-Band and C-Band frequencies.

7.1.3 VSAT antenna requirement

The Altobridge system requires the following VSAT equipment to deliver GSM services in the
remote community
Outdoor Unit (ODU)

Antenna of 1.2 to 2.4 m typical in diameter

High Power Amplifier (HPA)
Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)

7.1.4 VSAT topology

The VSAT topology that best meets the needs of the Remote Community Solution is star hub to
VSAT. The connectivity on the space segment is provided by digital carriers in both directions
organized with various access schemes. TDMA and FTDMA is the most common access
technology.

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 22 of 23

TM

Altobridge lite-site

Technical Overview

8. Reference deployments

Mongolia

Iraq
Niger

Oman
Malaysia

Indonesia

Kenya
Solomon
Islands

Tonga

Falkland
Islands

This is the last page of this document.

www.altobridge.com

23rd Sep 2011 Altobridge, Ltd.

Confidential

Page 23 of 23