Utility Communications

Multi-service multiplexer FOX515

FOX515 is a universal communication platform based on

TDM-technology (time division multiplexing). The modular
architecture is supporting

The utility-grade multiplexer FOX515 is used to build up reliable communication networks for all required utility services.

SDH up to STM-4 (622Mbit/s) of transport capacity

PDH for voice and legacy data services
Specific utility services such as teleprotection interfaces
based on IEEE C37.94 or hard-wired commands
IP/Ethernet services for operational and corporate applications
Hardware and traffic protection schemes

As an access multiplexer FOX515 allows to collect all local

services and feed them into hi-cap transport equipment
building up a nation-wide backbone network.
As a multi-purpose equipment FOX515 can also provide
sufficient capacity to transport the locally collected services
throughout the utility communication network. Transmission
distances may go over more than 300 km repeater-less!

The FOX515 platform

Applications

FOX515 utility-grade telecommunication platform integrating SDH and PDH in one single equipment.

FOX515 is designed for operation in harsh electromagnetic

environment. The modular architecture allows to adapt fully to
the requirements of power utilities, pipeline operators, railway
authorities, and other critical infrastructure operators.

With highly flexible FOX515 all types of network topologies

are supported: Linear, ring and meshed networks.

FOX515 can be used as

Multi-service access multiplexer.
Flexible communication platform for access and transport
combining several different technologies, such as SDH,
PDH, IP/Ethernet and xDSL.
Repeater where low power consumption is a crucial factor
and the need for just one equipment for SDH and PDH is a
major advantage.

Such a network allows combined transmission of operational

and corporate services without interference between each
other!
FOX515 is handling a full range of standard telecom services,
such as

SDH STM-1 and STM-4 on optical fibers

Ethernet/IP over SDH
Legacy data e.g. V.24/28 or RS 232, V.11/X.24, V.35
Voice communication, subscriber lines FXS/FXO
Traditional analogue trunk lines 2/4-wire E&M

Offering IP/Ethernet interconnections over SDH (EoSDH), the

FOX515 is the basis for ABBs fiber optic network solutions.
Additionally FOX515 is supporting specific interfaces for interconnection of
Differential protection relays using C37.94 interface
Protection commands from substation to substation
Alarm and status signals (binary signals)
No intermediate converters required towards the protection
relays.

Network Management System FOXMAN

The powerful Network Management FOXMAN allows to fully
supervise the communication network in real time. FOXMAN
can configure and upgrade FOX515 nodes remotely.
An optional Networking Package allows to configure complete
links end-to-end (trail handling) down to 64kbit/s.
FOXMAN is based on a client-server concept with Linux as
operating system for the server.
FOX-family
FOX515 fits perfectly into ABBs product range of hi-cap FOX
multiplexers to build powerful communication networks to
transport IT-services and operational services.
FOX515 is part of the extended FOX-family of equipment with
upgrading possibilities up to STM-16, STM-64 (10Gbit/s) and
Gb-Ethernet (1 and 10Gbit/s).

2 | FOX515

FOX515 Multi-Service Multiplexer

Specialized for turnkey solutions

Power Utilities

The network on the right shows an STM-16 backbone together

with a PDH branch. Such backbones are used to interconnect
corporate services and operation centres. FOX515 can be used
as an access device for the backbone with NxE1 or STM-1
interconnections. With FOX515 dedicated operational networks can
be set up operating on STM-1 or STM-4 using various protection
mechanisms.

Also existing installations on e.g. 8Mbit/s and 2Mbit/s on HDSL

copper lines can be integrated in new SDH networks with
FOX515. The whole range from 64kbit/s up to 622Mbit/s (STM-4)
can still be covered:
All servies are fully supported. FOXMAN-Management and UCST
Configuration Tool are covering also older equipment generations.

Pipeline Communication

Control

PS 50

STM-4

PS 51
STM-4

STM-4

PS 60

Refinery

FOX515

Terminal N

FOX515

FOX515

STM-4

STM-4
FOX515
STM-4

The geographic implementation of a network can be linear rather

than ring-like. In such topologies flattened rings can be deployed
to connect stations to a ring. Such configurations appear typically
along power lines, pipelines, or railway tracks.

PS 61
STM-4

STM-4
FOX515

FOX515

FOX515

PS 52

STM-4
FOX515

1+1

PS 70
FOX515

STM-4

1+1

PS 71
FOX515

Terminal S

STM-4
1+1

FOX515

FOX515 | 3

Serving various applications

FOX515

FOX515

STM-4

STM-1

FOX

FOX

C
B

STATION B

STM-1

STM-1
8 Mbit/s

FOX515

FOX515
FOX

FOX515

FOX515

DSL

8 Mbit/s

2 Mbit/s
FOX515

STM-1

STM- 1

M-

ST

FOX

FOX

FOX515

N x 2M

A
STATION A

FOX

STM-16 Backbone
(2.5 Gbit/s)

DSL

FOX515

FOX515
Radio Relay

HDSL
FOX515

8 Mbit/s
FOX515

FOX515
1+1

1 + 1 protection:
working path
protecting path

2 Mbit/s
DSL
FOX515

Typical Network for Power Utilities

Railways

STM-16

FOX

FOX

FOX

STM-16

STM-16
STM-1

STM-1

STM-1
1+1

FOX515

STM-1
1+1
STM-1
1+1

FOX515

STM-1
1+1

FOX515

STM-1
1+1

FOX515

Typical railway networks interconnecting main stations with highcapacity back-bones and smaller, less important villages and
remotely controlled stations with links of lower bit rates. While
only a few signals are needed in remotely controlled stations, traffic increases drastically towards the control centre.

STM-1

FOX515

STM-1
1+1

FOX515

STM-1
1+1

FOX515

STM-1
1+1

FOX515

A similar type of communication network is used along pipelines,

with pump, compressor stations, and intermediate block valves.
ABB provides solutions with repeaterless links of over 300 km.

FOX515 | 4

The redundancy concept provides highest reliability

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Security

FOX515 is fully complying to
EN 50082-2, EN 55022 class B
EN 50081-1 class B
Safety EN 60950 class V1
and several IEC 61000 standards
ANSI/IEEE C37.1 and C37.90
Mechanical design

Main features of FOX515

Optical transmission on 8Mbit/s, 155Mbit/s (STM-1) and
622Mbit/s (STM-4). All optical SDH ports (STM-1, STM-4)
are using SFP components to adapt to different fiber distances.
Collecting all type of voice and data signals from 0.6kbit/s
up Nx 64kbit/s and 2Mbit/s (E1).
High capacity IP/Ethernet traffic over SDH, supporting GFP,
VCAT and LCAS.
The PDH part contains a non-blocking cross-connection
matrix of 128 x 2Mbit/s with a granularity of 64kbit/s.
Technical specifications of FOX515 are verified by typetesting procedure witnessed by independent test institutes.
The network management FOXMAN is connected through
multiple routing (using the TCP/IP OSPF-protocol) to all
FOX515 nodes.
=> 0.6kbit/s up to 622Mbit/s (STM-4) in one shelf makes
FOX515 an outstanding product.

FOX515: 19 (or ETSI) shelf for up to 21 plug-in modules.

FOX512: Compact 8-slot version available.
Can be mounted horizontally or vertically.
All modules are hot-pluggable.
Earthing rail and front cover ensuring increased EMC.
Front cover to completely protect all modules, no dummy
plates required.

FOX515

Features for utility applications (mission-critical)

FOX515 supports the latest standards for most demanding
applications in power utilities
Electrical and optical interfaces for distance and differential
protection (IEEE C37.94)

SFP
(small-factor pluggable unit)

SCADA-communication according to IEC 60870-5-104 or

-101, DNP3
Connecting a wide range of ABB teleprotection equipment
(NSD570) and protection relays and also many protection
relays from other vendors.
Redundancy
Traffic protection using path protection (PDH), SNCP (SDH)
and MSP1+1 protection schemes
Hardware protection for centralised functions and key modules for voice and data
Stand-by schemes for management package FOXMAN.

FOX515 | 5

Communication solutions for utilities

CCTV

Closed-circuit television:
Remote supervision with TV cameras

E1

2Mbit/s signal according to ITU-T G.703

EMC

Electromagnetic Compatibility

EoSDH

Ethernet over SDH:

for interconnection of LAN at various sites

FXO

Foreign Exchange Office:

Voice communication: Central Office Side

FXS

Foreign Exchange Station (or subscriber):

Voice communication, Subscriber Side

Gb

Gigabit (Gbit/s)

GFP

Generic Framing Procedure ITU-T G.7041:

EoSDH compatibility between different suppliers
equipment

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/

Internet Protocol

LAN

Local Area Network:

Today mostly based on Ethernet

LCAS

Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme

according to ITU-T G.7042

NMS

Network Management System

OSPF

Open Shortest Path First:

Dynamic Routing Protocol

PDH

Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy:

multiplexing hierarchy based on 64kbit/s

PABX

Private Automatic Branch eXchange

ABBs NSD-family has a long tradition of stand-alone teleprotection devices. The latest generation of NSD570 provides
highly reliable protection signaling over a wide choice of medias (dedicated fiber, analogue / digital interfaces).

SDH

Synchronous Digital Hierarchy:

Multiplexing hierarchy based on 155Mbit/s

Voice systems solutions

SFP

Small-factor pluggable unit:

Pluggable unit containing complete electro-optical
signal converter (Transmit and Receive direction)

STM-n

Synchronous Transport Module, level n:

STM-1, STM-4, STM-16, STM-64

TDM

Time Division Multiplexing (e.g. PDH or SDH technology)

UCST

Universal Configuration Software Tool for FOX515

VCAT

Virtual Concatenation (of transport containers)

xDSL

(High) density subscriber line:

Coding algorism for digital communication over copper
lines

The FOX-family of equipment forms an important part of

ABBs comprehensive range of solutions for Utility Communications. As a turnkey provider, ABB has answers to all kind of
communication requirements. The following list summarizes
the portfolio, which complements the FOX-family in a perfect
way:
Optical communication for long distances

As spans in utility networks tend to be much longer than in

public telecom networks, ABB provides specific solutions for
long-haul solutions to extend FOX-links repeater-less to more
than 300 km.
Power Line Carrier

ABBs combined analogue/digital Power Line Carrier solutions are based on the ETL500/600 product family. ETL600
reaches so far unseen transmission rates and self-adapting
speed- and multiplexing features to obtain optimized transmission capacities.
Teleprotection systems

To cover the requirements for traditional analogue or up-coming IP-based telephony services, ABB works closely with selected partners and adds utility specific voice communication
features to the overall solution.
Wireless solutions

Where no fibers can be installed due to missing rights of way

or topographic reasons, ABB can provide microwave, VHF/
UHF radio, cellular and satellite solutions, tailored to the local
situation and available frequencies.
In-plant communications

In-plant communications refer to the applications and technologies used internally in a substation or a power plant. It
includes video, public addressing systems, local radio, access
control, intruders detection and similar services. The FOX
platform enables not only the integration between them but
also the connection to the out-plant systems and allows the
remote access, a key functionality in the modern utility.
For more information please contact:
ABB Switzerland Ltd
Power Systems
Brown Boveri Strasse 6
5400 Baden, Switzerland
Phone: +41 58 589 37 35
or
+41 544 845 845 (Call Center)
Fax:
+41 58 585 16 82
E-Mail: utility.communication@ch.abb.com
www.abb.com/utilitycommunications

1KHA - 000 589 - SEN - 2000 - 06.10

ABB Switzerland Ltd, June 2010. The right to modications or deviations due to technical progress is reserved.

Abbreviations