The voice transmission between the centers or towers and the radio sites is to be migrated to Voice-over-IP (VoIP) in each case. The subject of the tender is the provision of IP gateways that are to convert to VoIP in the centers of E1 and from VoIP to analogue transmission (and vice versa) at the radio sites. The IP gateways are referred to by DFS as RCE (Radio Control Equipment).
A more detailed description of the advertised services - see Section II.2.4.
DFS operates a multi-level radio communications concept consisting of a primary and secondary voice communication system, voice communication systems for the 15 DFS Towers and approximately 105 radio sites in each of the four DFS Centers. The voice transmission between the centers or towers and the radio sites is to be migrated to Voice-over-IP (VoIP) in each case. For this purpose, the existing systems in the centers, towers and at the radio sites will continue to be operated.
The subject of the tender is the provision of IP gateways that are to convert to VoIP in the centers of E1 and from VoIP to analogue transmission (and vice versa) at the radio sites. The IP gateways are referred to by DFS as RCE (Radio Control Equipment): in the center in the RCE-L (local) variant, at the radio sites in the RCE-R (remote) variant. Data transmission takes place in the LAN and in the WAN on two logically and physically separate networks, which are provided and operated by DFS.
Essential requirements for RCEs that must be met, among others:
1. RCE must be designed for 24/7/365 operation.
2. Gateway-Funktion RCE-L: E1 <> VoIP.
The E1 interface in the center voice communication systems is proprietary and needs to be further developed in the IP gateway. The interface description of the E1 interface shall be made available to the bidders with the invitation to tender.
3. Gateway function RCE-R: VoIP <> analogue to radio (one RCE-R component should be used per radio).
4. VoIP according to EUROCAE ED137C.
5. Use the ED137-Linked Sessions with two active, parallel RTP streams on the two networks with a maximum switching time of 100 ms.
6. Pro RCE-L component: Handles 56 concurrent SIP sessions and RTP (28 linked sessions) streams
7. Pro RCE-R component: Handles 40 concurrent SIP sessions and RTP (20 linked sessions) streams
8. RCE must switch audio in a time below 3 ms (excluding jitter buffer time and packaging).
9. RCE-L must provide the "Dynamic Delay Compensation" function (from the ED137). For this purpose, the RCE-L components are to exchange and process the delays to the radio locations of a coverage chain ("Climax operation") with each other.
10. The hardware to be installed must be installable in standard 19" racks. If subracks are used, they must support the 19" grid.
11. The RCE-R components must be dimensioned in such a way that a maximum of four height units are required for at least ten RCE-R components when installed (e.g. in subracks).
Furthermore, the subject of the tender is an associated management system, which, among other things:
1. must provide monitoring and configuration of the RCE components;
2. must be virtualized on two central servers on the premises of DFS, and
3. must enable web-based access with standard browsers.
The scope of delivery consists of approximately:
• 3,000 RCE-R components for the radio sites,
• 230 RCE-L components for the centers,
• 1 management system on two central servers and
• 1 (one) test and reference facility consisting of 32 RCE-L and 60 RCE-R components and a management system.
Other deliveries and services also include:
Configurations, installations and integrations of the RCE components into the existing DFS infrastructure, training (partly optional) and after-sales services (optional).
Realization period:
A first sample acceptance is scheduled for Q2/2025. Deliveries and acceptances of the RCE components will then take place gradually and must be completed by the end of 2027.