IRIP – Access Switch

Telstra deployed a special triple play data service to their mining camp customers to deploy triple play services into living quarters. Telstra developed an IPO service which would provide video, data and telephony to each living unit via an IP link. The topology saw centralized switches deployed, with SMOF (Single Mode Optical Fibre), run to each separate building. Telstra requested that TPS design, manufacture, test and supply a specialized access switch for this purpose. TPS developed the IRIP Access Switch provided 8 x POE (Power Over Ethernet) ethernet access ports, DC power supply and a SFP WAN slot for connectivity back to the centralized switch. To save on fibre cord deployment, TPS developed and supplied a series of upstream and downstream SFP’s which would operate bi-directionally over single mode fibre.

The switch was successfully type approved and deployed to Telstra customer mining camp sites across Western Australia the Northern Territory and also Queensland. As can be imagined, some design hurdles had to be overcome during the development of the product. Power was derived from generator and not always reliable, extreme temperatures were prevalent and significant amounts of dust and airborne particles were found.