Full access and partial access solutions for metropolitan SDH networks

Results are presented from a case study examining alternative means to implement direct VC-12 access onto high capacity SDH metropolitan networks using full or partial (access to a fraction of aggregate capacity) access ADMs. Comparisons of equipment inventory and performance metrics with relative acquisition prices are drawn between full access 2 fibre STM-4, 4 working fibre STM-4 (STM-8) and partial access STM-16 capacity systems. The different advantages and constraints, consequent from the application of each candidate network solutions, are highlighted in terms of ease of planning, robustness and flexibility to network changes