m2fx Case Study - Geopath-v4.indd

m2fx CASE STUDY
FTTa
DAS Fiber
Networks
AT&T DAS Network
Location:
50+ locations across Chicago
Date:
2011 to date
FTTa - Installation of DAS Fiber Networks for
AT&T in Chicago: The m2fx and Geo-Path Solution
The Problem
OSP Installer:
Engineer - Nonda Harris of Geo-Path
Distributed Antenna System networks allow operators to mount radio antenna close to
the subscribers on street furniture, such as street lights, utility poles or street signs,
to address bandwidth capacity in demanding metropolitan areas.
Synopsis:
To install optical fiber under the public
roadway in order to connect metropolitan
street furniture mounted DAS Nodes to
central base station HUBs.
Antenna locations (DAS Nodes) are placed in the most effective position to provide
carriers with the optimum coverage and are linked back, via fiber cable, to a central
hub location. All DAS Nodes are linked by fiber because of the very high bandwidth
required. The higher the data traffic the more densely populated the DAS Nodes need
to be. 4G and high bandwidth services require multiple DAS Nodes in order to cope
with the increasingly bandwidth hungry metropolitan population.
Run Lengths:
100ft to 580ft
Specialist Equipment:
No blowing equipment required
Benefits:
Achieved 70% reduction in installation
costs. Metropolitan wide DAS network
enabled with minimum highway
disruption.
Products Used:
Ruggedized Microduct
• m2fx Tuffduct™
• Miniflex™ Outdoor Microduct
Pushable Fiber Cable
• Miniflex™ Fiber Cable – 12 Fibers
A DAS network, with all the inherent multiple last drop installation problems, is
in effect a Fibre-To-The-Premises (FTTP) connection. Multiple fiber drops of short
distances, complex routes and tight bend radii has made DAS network and FTTP
installation often cost ineffective and excessively time consuming to execute. In
combination with city authorities often reluctance to allow highways to be dug-up
and/or closed for extended periods of time, there are significant barriers to the
rollout of DAS networks. With plans for a network for over one hundred outside DAS
Nodes in the busiest area of Chicago, AT&T found themselves struggling to both get
city approval and keep installation costs under control.
In short, a better fiber network installation solution was required.
Conclusion
The m2fx ruggedized and Miniflex pushable fiber solution solved the problem. Specifically designed for the last section of a network, the ruggedized microduct and Miniflex
pushable fiber cable were easy to install and withstood the demanding nature of the
topography; this enabled the implementation of micro-trenching without the fear
of duct or cable failure. The installation cost saving of up to 70% showed that AT&T,
GeoPath and m2fx were onto a winning formula and the team have installed many DAS
Nodes and linked each back to the Central Hub since starting the installations in 2011,
and continue to do so.
Geo-Path and AT&T use m2fx Miniflex™ microduct and cable solutions
Core Telecom Systems partnered with m2fx
-
(888) 375-8826
www.coretelecom.net
m2fx CASE STUDY
Solutions to the Problem:
GeoPath Micro-trenching Solution & m2fx Ruggedized Microduct and
Pushable Fiber Cable Solution:
AT&T and GeoPath identified that the best installation method would be
micro-trenching. A much faster installation technique, that was ideal for
deployment in metropolitan areas. The method involved cutting a small
trench (1 inch wide) along the street, installing microduct and rapidly
restoring the roadway with the GeoPath, GeoFlex Patch™. This allowed
contractors to be in and out of a street between 7pm and 10pm.
Having identified microtrenching, combined with the installation of
microduct, as the optimal method of deploying fiber in a metropolitan area,
AT&T sought a duct that would work in this challenging environment. They
identified the m2fx Tuffduct™ as the ideal partner for this project, tiny
enough to be easily installed in the narrow channel, yet tough enough to
withstand tight corners and the pressure of heavy traffic above. The number
of Nodes and short drop lengths made blown fiber installation prohibitively
inefficient. Therefore, a pushable fiber system would be required. The m2fx
Pushable Fiber Cable Solution was the answer.
m2fx enabled AT&T and GeoPath to overcome all these issues by providing the
Ruggedized Microduct and Miniflex Pushable Fiber Cable Solution. The solution
was selected because of m2fx’s track recorded in successful FTTP installations
and because it was fully compatible with the existing backbone network. It
provided:
• Ruggedized TuffDuct Microduct (10mm OD) specifically engineered to
tolerate tight bend radii and high crush forces. Easy to handle, extremely
tough and featuring an ultralow friction lining; m2fx TuffDuct enabled
micro trenching in conjunction with pushable fiber installation methods to
be used.
• Pushable Miniflex Fiber Cable (3mm 12f) with a super tough, temperature
tolerant jacket that is thick walled yet made flexible by an engineered
groove, enabling a tight bend radius. The result, a pushable fiber cable that
is anti kink, allowing installers to safely push or pull the fiber through the
microduct quickly and easily without the need for blowing rigs.
Up to 70% savings
The combination of these products and processes allowed for the rapid
deployment of a fully operational network, saving 70% of the cost of a
traditional install, taking 30% of the time of a traditional install and reducing
disruption to the City of Chicago to a minimum.
Core Telecom Systems partnered with m2fx
(888) 375-8826
www.coretelecom.net
m2fx CASE STUDY
m2fx Tuffduct™
Coupler joining microducts together
The Method
GeoPath - Micro-Trenching
• Geo-Path identified that Micro-Trenching was the install method
solution required.
• The micro-trench was cut into the street with a diamond circular saw,
allowing for very quick cutting and a very small channel.
• Sand was then added to the bottom of the trench to insulate it and
protect the duct.
• A backer rod was installed to provide insulation for the duct from the
restorative material (Geo Flex Patch).
• The trench was then sealed with the GeoFlex Patch™ re-instating the
road surface.
Reinstating road with Geo Flex Patch
m2fx– Ruggedized Microduct and Pushable Fiber Cable
• Two differing types of m2fx ruggedized microduct, Tuffduct™ and Miniflex™
Outdoor Microduct, were offered. One for the underground section of the
deployment and another type for the sections exposed to UV light and
weathering. These products had to be compatible and easily connected
together with a coupler to produce a smooth, seamless transition.
• By its nature, micro-trenching requires a very small form duct solution.
m2fx Tuffduct™ is only 10mm OD and could be stacked in the micro-trench
when required.
• m2fx Tuffduct™ provided a flexible and rugged solution capable of
withstanding both installation into a tight space and resisting the enormous
weight of the ground above 2900psi (2000N) whilst remaining capable of
the flexibility required for coupling.
• One of the vital properties possessed by m2fx Tuffduct™ was its ability to
withstand the 400°F (204°C) of the GeoFlex Patch™.
Patch in situ
• Both when attached to street furniture and in the micro-trench there was a
risk of “pinch”, which the structure of the m2fx and Miniflex™ products are
specifically designed to resist.
• Miniflex™ Outdoor Microduct had to have UV resistance and be capable of
installation onto street furniture and along buildings, whilst protecting fiber
from weathering and normal damage resulting from other parties accessing
the street furniture.
• Miniflex™ Fiber Cable was then pushed or pulled from the manhole to the
DAS site. Miniflex™ Fiber Cable has low friction coating that is specifically
designed for drops of 1500ft or less which allows for installation without
specialized equipment such as blowers.
• No longer needing blowing rigs, enabled AT&T engineers to install the fiber
more efficiently by pushing or pulling as appropriate, allowing for a greater
number of installs by the same number of engineers, improving the overall
cost per foot.
Core Telecom Systems partnered with m2fx
(888) 375-8826
www.coretelecom.net
m2fx CASE STUDY
Miniflex™ Outdoor Microduct
“We have been using m2fx microduct and cable for
roughly 2 years now on many installs and have found the
great combination of TuffDuct™ and Miniflex™ fiber cable
3mm to perform well at the install stage. The microduct
doesn’t pinch on tight bends and when we apply our
Geo-Flex Patch at a temperature of 400ºF (200ºC) it
doesn’t melt, which is exactly what we want.”
Nonda Harris - Geopath
“This is truly a story of how smart government policies
make a difference in the everyday lives of consumers
and employers. First, the State of Illinois adopted a new
telecommunications law to encourage private sector
investment in the state. Then, the City of Chicago
backed an innovative approach to strengthen the mobile
network while minimizing the interruption on the
public,” said Paul La Schiazza, President, AT&T Illinois.
“The result is a stronger mobile network that citizens
and businesses can rely on for public health, safety,
commerce, and entertainment. In this story,
everyone wins.”
(Source: A quote from an OSP Magazine article and case
study written about AT&T’s DAS installation in Chicago)
http://www.ospmag.com/issue/article/The-City-of-BigBroadband-Shoulders
Miniflex™ Pushable Fiber Cable – 12 Fibers
The Result
• The speed of installation both as a result of being able to use microtrenching and the deployment speed of the m2fx product massively reduced
the disruption caused by road closures. Typically, in by 7PM, out by 10PM.
• Labor hours per foot of installation were reduced as the installation crews
could achieve greater distances, faster and without the need for specialized
equipment such as blowers to install the fiber.
• The flexibility required for short runs and attachments to street furniture
were achieved without the risk of “pinch”.
The Findings
• The properties of Miniflex™ Fiber Cable were ideally suited to the relatively
short run lengths, which varied from 100ft to 580ft.
• The very versatile nature of the ruggedized m2fx microduct allowed for
installation in a wide range of environments from traditional trenches, via
micro-trenches to street furniture.
• On occasions it proved more efficient to use already open trenches to place
duct in, displaying the versatility of ruggedized microduct, which can also be
direct buried.
• 10mm OD of TuffDuct™ worked very well, it was found that multiple ducts
were able to be stacked within the micro trench when required.
• Installers found it really easy to push the cable, others preferred to use the
pull-cord.
• The key was the anti-kink and general toughness of the cable, less breakages
in the field means the team could finish quicker.
• During the lifetime of this installation, if the ruggedized microduct is damaged
it can be quickly restored removing the damaged section and reconnecting it
using a standard coupler.
• The ruggedized microduct has small bend radii; it can be stored and shipped
on smaller reels, which eliminates the need for additional vehicles and trailers.
Conclusion
The m2fx ruggedized and Miniflex pushable fiber solution solved the problem.
Specifically designed for the last section of a network, the ruggedized microduct and Miniflex pushable fiber cable were easy to install and withstood
the demanding nature of the topography; this enabled the implementation
of micro-trenching without the fear of duct or cable failure. The installation
cost saving of up to 70% showed that AT&T, GeoPath and m2fx were onto a
winning formula and the team have installed many DAS Nodes and linked each
back to the Central Hub since starting the installations in 2011, and continue
to do so.
Geo-Path and AT&T use m2fx Miniflex™ microduct and cable solutions
Core Telecom Systems partnered with m2fx
(888) 375-8826
www.coretelecom.net