CityLink Deploys RAD’s TDMoIP Products For Emergency Telephone Network

RAD’s IPmux-1 TDMoIP Gateway Solution Enables Ethernet-ready Emergency Telephone Network

24 June 2004: Melbourne’s CityLink® electronic toll road has deployed

TDM over IP (TDMoIP®) technology from RAD Data Communications to deliver emergency voice services over an Ethernet-enabled ATM backbone.

RAD’s IPmux-1 TDMoIP gateway solutions replace IBM equipment that provided a private voice circuit over ATM. The compact IPmux-1, in contrast, converts E1 voice traffic from CityLink’s key system into IP packets for transport over the ATM Ethernet LAN (ELAN). IPmux units at the remote ends of the ELAN convert the packets back into TDM, creating clear channels for voice. “The IPmux units have provided trouble-free connectivity,” reports Andrew Gary Butler, CityLink’s Support Engineer.

A Simple Alternative to VoIP

TDMoIP is a transport technology that transparently and economically emulates TDM voice, video or data circuits across all packet-switched networks. A simple alternative to VoIP, TDMoIP protects investment in legacy telephony systems while providing a smooth, built-in migration path to IP, Ethernet and MPLS networks. “The main reason we selected the IPmux is that it will enable us to easily migrate from our current IBM ATM backbone to a Gigabit Ethernet backbone when we decide to do so,” Butler explains.

CityLink, a 22-kilometre-long urban motorway, is the first fully electronic tollway in Australia and is one of only three in the world. CityLink has no toll plazas and no traffic bottlenecks, since drivers never have to slow down to pay tolls. Instead, a sophisticated tracking system collects all tolls electronically as drivers pass underneath an overhead gantry. The result is fast, safe and stress-free travel.

CityLink features several systems to ensure traveller safety, including closed-circuit TV cameras that constantly monitor tunnels, automatic incident and fire detection systems, emergency telephones, communications systems and fire-fighting equipment. “The successful completion of CityLink changed the face of the transport system in Melbourne and transformed toll road travel into an ‘open-road’ experience,” Butler adds.

“TDMoIP users like CityLink can benefit from the advantages of packet-switched networks while at the same time continuing to use their existing TDM equipment such as the telephone system,” said Udi Furman, General Manager, RAD Data Australia. “These companies can then migrate to an all-IP network when it is financially advantageous for them to do so – such as when existing equipment has been written off.”

RAD’s IPmux solution was supplied to CityLink by Paclink, an authorised RAD distributor in Australia.

About RAD

Established in 1981, privately owned RAD Data Communications has achieved international recognition as a major manufacturer of high quality access equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications. These solutions serve the data and voice access requirements of service providers, incumbent and new carriers, and enterprise networks, by reducing infrastructure investment costs while boosting competitiveness and profitability. The company's installed base exceeds 10,000,000 units and includes more than 150 carriers and operators around the world. These customers are supported by 21 RAD offices and more than 300 channel partners in 164 countries.

RAD is a member of the RAD Group of companies, a world leader in networking and internetworking product solutions.