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Objectives
There are separate development efforts for this project which are captured internally within Altobridge as AMG4.7, 4.8, 4.9 and LSF2.1 MP1.0
The goal of the Altobridge solution is to provide GSM services in a number of deployments using efficient use of satellite bandwidth through the AltoBridge patented Call handling Model and Signalling Encoding Scheme. The signalling encoding and handling scheme ensures that the system uses the least possible satellite bandwidth while supporting all necessary signalling for compatibility with PLMN requirements such as mobile authentication.
The call model can make use of raw satellite bandwidth or can piggy-back on top of existing ISDN (Q.931) based systems whichever is most appropriate; this allows existing satellite equipment to be used in a most cost effective method. Data streams carrying voice traffic are compressed to ensure optimal cost to quality ratios.
AMG4.7 Project
AMG4.7: The main objectives of AMG4.7 were to satisfy requirements to put the Remote Gateway software onto a single board computer. Currently at the remote site we need to deploy two pieces of hardware, a Remote Gateway Linux machine and a Pico BTS. The implementation of this feature will remove the necessity for having a RGW unit at the remote location by adding a processing board to the BTS unit and porting the RGW functionality to this unit. This results in reducing the cost of goods for remote deployments.
AMG4.8 Project
AMG4.8: The main objectives of AMG4.8 were to satisfy a number of new requirements such as to introduce handover capability and also the replacement of the current SS7 stack with the R4S. This included the following features:
- Intra BSC handover,
- Inter BSC handover,
- Handover to public BSC,
- Replace TE SS7 platform by R4S platform.
AMG4.9 Project
AMG4.9: The main objectives of AMG4.9 were to satisfy a number of new requirements. The main new functionality introduced was as follows:
- UW POD Cluster,
- Local Switching Area,
- Cluster and Local switching area,
- VBSC will local switch all the calls within a Local Switching Area,
- Paging by UW POD cluster,
- Paging Optimization,
- Lawful interception,
- Filter of the target by IMSI, IMEI, MSISDN.
LSF2.1 Project
LSF 2.1 MP1.0 builds on our release of the Local Switching product by improving its functionality. Specifically this release adds new requirements and also maintenance work. The new features included:
- BCF expansion to non consecutive spans,
- AMR 7.4 HR Support,
- Export of Performance Management stats,
- Support for a new set of BTS Alarms including AIS, IP, PPP.
Challenges
For LSF2.1 MP1.0 end to end System Test was only possible in the customer lab environment. As such we had to work very closely with the customer.
The Handover Feature required significant amounts of lab testing and recoding due to the complexity of the feature.
Plan
As this project encompasses separate deliverables, there were different project plans as detailed below.
The implementation and execution of all projects was achieved and all deliverables have been completed.
AMG4.7/4.8/4.9:- The project plans addressed delivering the software features on the AMG releases in line with the planned timeline to exceed customer expectations.
Specifically, the features developed and delivered included:
- Single Board Computer Porting
- Intra BSC handover
- Inter BSC handover
- Handover to public BSC
- Replace TE SS7 platform by R4S platform
- UW POD Cluster
- Local Switching Area
- Cluster and Local switching area
- VBSC will local switch all the calls within a Local Switching Area
- Paging by UW POD cluster
- Paging Optimization
- Lawful interception
- Filter of the target by IMSI, IMEI, MSISDN
LSF2.1 MP1.0:
This project delivered the following features:
- BCF expansion to non consecutive spans
- AMR 7.4 HR Support
- Export of Performance Management stats
- Support for a new set of BTS Alarms including AIS, IP, PPP
Current Status
Project was successfully completed in November 2011.