IMPLEMENTATION OF A BROADBAND DATA COMMUNICATION NETWORK FOR THE ELECTRICITY DEPARTMENT  OF THE TSHWANE METRO

Index: Introduction, Coverage, Project 1, Project 2, Project 3,  Project 4 , Project 5, Project 6, Project 7, Project 8,  Acknowledgements.

INTRODUCTION.

The Primary Network Division of the Electricity Department of the City of Tshwane operates an extensive network of 132 kV electricity substations as part of the electrical distrubution network for the City of Tshwane.  Recently the Optical Fibre cable network running on the power lines had been upgraded and an extensive network of data multiplexers installed to provide the council with the ability to offer data communication services to third parties operating in close proxomity to the primary substations.

The Mayor of Tshwane had undertaken to do all possible to get Tshwane developed as the Electronically Enabled model city in South Africa.  One of the initiatives in this regard is the Innovation Hub.

As part of the promotion of Tshwane as a modern City the Council had also approved the concept of the Global Digital Hub, an initiative to intergrate and expand all the telecommunication services available to the council to eventually service all the communities in Tshwane with telecommunication services and access to the Internet.  In order to prepare for this and to evaluated different models and technologies, eight pilot projects had been identified for scrutiny and evaluation.

The following pilot projects had been identified:

1.  PLC network in a Laboratory or dormitary environment

2.  Distribution of educational programs and material to schools

3.  Internet connectivity for schools and community centres

4.  PLC power cell in a residential application

5.  IEEE 802.11b cell in a community network

6.  11 kV primary data line application

7.  IEEE 802.16 primary data distribution

8.  PLC power cell on an office environment

Index

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT WORKS.

Coverage.

1.1  Project 1

This project aims to investigate the use and application of a PLC system in a computer laboratory or hostel / dormitory type environment.  This project had been set up at the University of Pretoria.

Objectives

1.  Evaluate traffic capacity and diversity

2.  Explore the use of a NAT router and firewall for secondary network traffic

3.  Explore signal propagation and distribution using HF transmission line theory

4.  Investigate HF interference and parasitic radiation

5.  Investigate network management models

                    6. Evaluated security and privacy aspects

Index

1.2  Project 2

This project aims to explore the use of the CTMM electricity network to distribute educational programs to schools using video streaming.  The program is a joint venture with the University of Pretoria.  The intention is to set up an experimental link between the University and schools in Mamelodi and Atteridgeville.  Material used by the Telematics unit for satelite broadcasting will be captured for this project.

Objectives

           1.  Evaluate the ability of the network to supplement the present distribution of     learning material to schools by making video streaming on demand available.

            2.  Explore integration of this with the envisaged GOL programme of Internet                          access to Schools

Index        

           1.3  Project 3

This project investigates the requirements for providing Internet connectivity for schools and community centres.  The project is a joint venture with Gauteng On Line and the pilot project will be set up at the Rietondale Primary Scool in Riviera.

Objectives

1.  Evaluate the ability of the network to supply a school with Internet connectivity as envisaged by GOL.

2.  Explore integration of this with the envisaged GOL programme of Internet access to Schools using PLC equipment.

Index        

          1.4  Project 4

This project explores the application and operation of a PLC power cell in a residential application.  It is envisaged that a pilot installation will be set up in Alphen Park subburb.

Objectives

1.  Evaluate the ability of the power cell to deliver Internet connectivity to a residential household using the LT distribution services.

2.  Assess the requirements to operate, manage and maintain this system. 

3.  Report on traffic monitoring, billing, and security issues.

Index        

1.5  Project 5

This project explores the application of a wireless IEEE 802.11b cell in a community network as part of the roll out of Internet connectivity.  The pilot network was set up in Faerie Glen subburb in the east of Tshwane.  Click HERE for details

Objectives

1.  Evaluate the ability of the IEEE 802.11b network to provide community connectivity to the Internet.

2.  Assess security and privacy issues, access control.

3.  Report on monitoring, billing and security issues.

         Index        

1.6  Project 6

This project explores the possibilities of using the 11 kV power lines as a primary data line application

Objectives

1.  Evaluate the feasibility of using the 11 kV cable infrastructure to provide a broadband data connection between the primary and secondary substations, as part of the network infrastructure.

2.  Report on safety and operational issues, bandwidth and traffic issues.

Index        

1.7  Project 7

This project explores the deployment of an IEEE 802.16 wireless communication network for the purposes of  primary data distribution between the primary substations and community access points such as transformer stations, secondary substations and minisubstations.

Objectives

1.  Evaluate the ability of an IEEE 802.16 network to supply the broadband infrastructure needed to connect primary and secondary network components in the roll out of the data communication / Internet access network.

Index        

          1.8  Project 8

This project aims to investigate the use and application of a PLC system in a normal office type environment.

Objectives

1.  Evaluate traffic capacity and diversity

2.  Explore the use of a VOIP router and firewall for secondary network traffic

3.  Explore signal propagation and distribution using HF transmission line theory

4.  Investigate HF interference and parasitic radiation

5.  Investigate network management models

                    6. Evaluated security and privacy aspects

Index

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Project Engineers wish to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the following persons for their dedicated participation to make this a successfully completed project:

The Staff Members of the City Council of Tshwane:

The Engineers and support staff of DPA responsible for the planning and design.

The Contractor's Project Engineer and support staff for the dedicated work on site:

P. D. Du Preez. Pr. Eng.

Project Engineer

Delport Du Preez and Associates.

29 December 2002.

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