Modelling of an Optimised Intelligent System for Backbone Links (Terrestrial Microwave line-of-sight and Terrestrial fibre-optic) of Telecommunication Networks

Abstract

Telecommunication network operators in Ghana employ microwave line-of-sight and terrestrial fibre optics to carry high volumes of traffic over the backbone network. The challenge militating against operators are the frequent fibre cable cut and microwave network outages. The outages on the fibre cable are caused by construction works (road, housing), illegal mining activities on underground fibre cable routes. The microwave networks rely on an unguided over-the-air propagation path which is affected by reflective terrain and structures, rain or bad weather conditions etc. In order to overcome this challenge, this study focused on the design of a microwave-optical fibre hybrid protection switching system (HPSS). The system was tested under three scenarios: first when both the terrestrial microwave line-of-sight link and the terrestrial fibre-optic links are under normal operation; second when only the terrestrial fibre-optic link is active and the terrestrial microwave line-of-sight link is off; and finally when the terrestrial microwave line-of-sight link is active and the terrestrial fibre-optic link is off. The simulation results of the HPSS showed that, it is capable of auto-detecting a potential malfunction on either the terrestrial fibre-optic or terrestrial microwave link thereby switching automatically to the active link.