SOLAR FAQs
FAQs for SOLAR-Sync (SS) and SOLAR-Lite (SL).
01 What is the difference between SOLAR-Sync (SS), SOLAR-Lite (SL) and Pluto? 02 What is the maximum number of stations in a Solar Network? 03 Can the Traffic Manager support multiple channels? 04 Are there any redundancy options? 05 What is the maximum network delay permissible in a Solar network? 06 What do the Front Panel LEDs indicate? 07 What happens if there is a local 1PPS failure?
01 What is the difference between SOLAR-Sync (SS), SOLAR-Lite (SL) and Pluto?
- Solar-Sync is intended to operate in a Quasi Sync environment (Synchronized Simulcast), and as such all sites require a globally coherent 1PPS synchronizing signal (probably originally derived from a GPS Rx) to maintain synchronization across the network.
- Solar-Lite operates in a non Simulcast environment and therefore does not require 1PPS at each site (however if redundant Traffic Managers are installed then the TMs require the 1PPS). The product is used in a linear type system where adjacent base stations operate on different frequencies and the mobiles have a 'voting' or 'scanning' capability.
- Pluto is a V/RoIP and environment I/O solution for point to point connections - see the Pluto navigation link on the left.
02 What is the maximum number of stations in a Solar Network?
- The Traffic Manager is limited to 32 Network Interface Station connections and one NI Central (console) connection.
03 Can the Traffic Manager support multiple channels?
- The Traffic Manager can support up to 16 channels and 32 stations – ie a 4 channel 8 station scheme is possible with one traffic manager.
04 Are there any redundancy options?
- Traffic Manager redundancy is available in the form of a mirrored unit. This “Secondary” unit can be located anywhere on the network and takes over from the “Primary” in the event of a failure. When the Primary is restored, the Secondary goes back off line into its watch keeping mode.
05 What is the maximum network delay permissible in a Solar network?
- The maximum Network delay is 180msecs. This figure is also dependant upon the amount of Jitter across the network. What this means is that all base sites are required to be within a time range of between 0 and 180ms of the Traffic Manager.
- However, this is an artificial setting within the equipemt as currently programmed (September 2007). It is technically possible to amend the firmware such that a standing delay can be accommodated if required (e.g. over satellite links), but it is likely that the 180ms window between sites will remain.
06 What do the Front Panel LEDs indicate?
- These show basic operation and status of the unit - see Book1 Section 9 Paragraph 4 for details.
07 What happens if there is a local 1PPS failure?
- See Solar Hints&Tips 3 and 4 - under the 'Engineering' navigation tab.
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