Utility Communications
Multi-service multiplexer FOX515
FOX515 is a universal communication platform based on
TDM-technology (time division multiplexing). The modular
architecture is supporting
− 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 applica-
tions
− Hardware and traffic protection schemes
The utility-grade multiplexer FOX515 is used to build up reli-
able communication networks for all required utility services.
− 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 integrat-

ing 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.
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.
With highly flexible FOX515 all types of network topologies
are supported: Linear, ring and meshed networks.
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 ABB’s fiber optic network solutions.

Additionally FOX515 is supporting specific interfaces for inter-

connection 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.

FOX515 Multi-Service Multiplexer

FOXMAN is based on a client-server concept with Linux as
operating system for the server.

FOX-family

FOX515 fits perfectly into ABB’s 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
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 PS 51 PS 52 Refinery PS 60 PS 61 Terminal N

STM-4 STM-4 STM-4 STM-4

FOX515 FOX515 FOX515 FOX515

STM-4 STM-4 STM-4 STM-4

FOX515 FOX515 FOX515 FOX515

STM-4 1+1

The geographic implementation of a network can be linear rather PS 70

than ring-like. In such topologies flattened rings can be deployed FOX515

to connect stations to a ring. Such configurations appear typically

along power lines, pipelines, or railway tracks. STM-4 1+1

PS 71 Terminal S
STM-4
FOX515 FOX515
1+1

FOX515 | 3
Serving various applications

FOX515
FOX515

STM-4
STM-1
FOX
FOX

C D
STM-16 Backbone N x 2M
B E FOX515 FOX515 FOX515
FOX (2.5 Gbit/s) STM- 1 DSL
FOX
STM-1 1
A F M- 8 Mbit/s
STATION B

ST
FOX FOX 2 Mbit/s
FOX515 FOX515
FOX515 FOX515
STATION A

STM-1 DSL
STM-1
Radio Relay
8 Mbit/s HDSL
FOX515
FOX515
8 Mbit/s
FOX515 FOX515
1 + 1 protection: 1+1
working path
2 Mbit/s
protecting path
DSL
FOX515

Typical Network for Power Utilities

Railways

STM-16

FOX FOX FOX

STM-16 STM-16

STM-1 STM-1

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

STM-1 STM-1 STM-1 STM-1 STM-1 STM-1 STM-1

FOX515 FOX515 FOX515 FOX515 FOX515 FOX515 FOX515 FOX515
1+1 1+1 1+1 1+1 1+1 1+1

Typical railway networks interconnecting main stations with high-
capacity 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, traf-
fic increases drastically towards the control centre.
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

− 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.
Main features of FOX515
− Earthing rail and front cover ensuring increased EMC.
− Optical transmission on 8Mbit/s, 155Mbit/s (STM-1) and − Front cover to completely protect all modules, no dummy
622Mbit/s (STM-4). All optical SDH ports (STM-1, STM-4) plates required.
are using SFP components to adapt to different fiber dis-
tances.
− 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 type-
testing 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
FOX515 an outstanding product.

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 SFP

protection (IEEE C37.94) (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 mod-
ules for voice and data
− Stand-by schemes for management package FOXMAN.

FOX515 | 5
Abbreviations Communication solutions for utilities
CCTV Closed-circuit television:
Remote supervision with TV cameras The FOX-family of equipment forms an important part of
E1 2Mbit/s signal according to ITU-T G.703 ABB’s comprehensive range of solutions for Utility Communi-
cations. As a turnkey provider, ABB has answers to all kind of
EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility
communication requirements. The following list summarizes
EoSDH Ethernet over SDH:
for interconnection of LAN at various sites
the portfolio, which complements the FOX-family in a perfect
way:
FXO Foreign Exchange Office:
Voice communication: Central Office Side
Optical communication for long distances
FXS Foreign Exchange Station (or subscriber):
Voice communication, Subscriber Side As spans in utility networks tend to be much longer than in
Gb Gigabit (Gbit/s)
public telecom networks, ABB provides specific solutions for
long-haul solutions to extend FOX-links repeater-less to more

© ABB Switzerland Ltd, June 2010. The right to modifications or deviations due to technical progress is reserved.
GFP Generic Framing Procedure ITU-T G.7041:
EoSDH compatibility between different suppliers than 300 km.
equipment
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/ Power Line Carrier
Internet Protocol ABB’s combined analogue/digital Power Line Carrier solu-
LAN Local Area Network: tions are based on the ETL500/600 product family. ETL600
Today mostly based on Ethernet reaches so far unseen transmission rates and self-adapting
LCAS Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme speed- and multiplexing features to obtain optimized trans-
according to ITU-T G.7042 mission capacities.
NMS Network Management System
OSPF Open Shortest Path First: Teleprotection systems
Dynamic Routing Protocol ABB’s NSD-family has a long tradition of stand-alone telepro-
PDH Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy: tection devices. The latest generation of NSD570 provides
multiplexing hierarchy based on 64kbit/s highly reliable protection signaling over a wide choice of me-
PABX Private Automatic Branch eXchange dias (dedicated fiber, analogue / digital interfaces).
SDH Synchronous Digital Hierarchy:
Multiplexing hierarchy based on 155Mbit/s Voice systems solutions
SFP Small-factor pluggable unit: To cover the requirements for traditional analogue or up-com-
Pluggable unit containing complete electro-optical ing IP-based telephony services, ABB works closely with se-

1KHA - 000 589 - SEN - 2000 - 06.10

signal converter (Transmit and Receive direction)
lected partners and adds utility specific voice communication
STM-n Synchronous Transport Module, level n:
STM-1, STM-4, STM-16, STM-64
features to the overall solution.

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

Wireless solutions
UCST Universal Configuration Software Tool for FOX515 Where no fibers can be installed due to missing rights of way
VCAT Virtual Concatenation (of transport containers) or topographic reasons, ABB can provide microwave, VHF/
xDSL (High) density subscriber line: UHF radio, cellular and satellite solutions, tailored to the local
Coding algorism for digital communication over copper situation and available frequencies.
lines

In-plant communications
In-plant communications refer to the applications and tech-
nologies 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