New Interface for 3G / GPRS Developers

Adax and Hughes Software Systems (HSS) have announced a pre-integrated solution that is crucial to infrastructure developers who are under pressure to roll out new GPRS/UMTS networks, services and provide revenue streams. The integration of HSS Network Services and Adax's Frame Relay service is now complete and the Gb interface solution is already being field-tested.

Picture shows integration of Adax-Hughes cards and protocol stacks for GPRS networks

The Gb interface is an important development in the migration from GSM to GPRS technology. It connects the existing Base Station System (BSS) to the new Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) carrying network services for cell site control. It is used to upgrade existing GSM BSS equipment and provide GPRS-based packet data services. Such services include mobile internet, mobile email access and wireless Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Within the Gb interface stack, the Network Services (NS) runs over Frame Relay and provides network service primitives allowing for transmission and reception of upper layer protocol data units between the BSS and SGSN.

"This is the latest pre-integrated solution Adax and HSS have developed as partners," said Manoranjan Mohapatra, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Hughes Software Systems. "The expertise that each company brings to the partnership means that Original Equipment Manufacturers and Network Equipment Providers get a high performance signaling solution from a single source."

"The interface is designed to be completely scalable and allows the deployment to grow cost effectively as the network size and number of subscribers/cells increase," said Barry Zuckerman, President, Adax Inc. "As with all our products, this joint offering will accelerate time to market and protect our customer's investment."

Technical Description

The Adax ACT and HDC protocol controllers, and Frame Relay software, have been integrated with the HSS NS software and higher layers to provide the complete Gb stack. The Gb interface stack has been developed for both the SGSN and BSS/PCU (Packet Controller Unit) nodes. The BSS-Gb product can be used to upgrade existing GSM BSS equipment and provides GPRS based packet-data services. SGSN vendors can use the SGSN-Gb product to build their equipment, allowing GSM networks to provide packet-data based services and applications like mobile Internet, mobile e-mail access and wireless VPNs. Test and measurement tool vendors should also find the stacks attractive for use.

The Adax ACT card offers one of the highest port densities in the industry, providing up to 2048 DS0 connections over 8 T1/E1 links. For vendors who also want to run SS7 for connection from the SGSN over the Gs interface, on the same card as the Frame Relay for the Gb Interface, the Adax High-Density Controller (HDC) card which provides up to 128 channels of multiple protocols over 4 T1/E1 connections, can be used.