Communication and Data Facilities
|
|
Communication and Data Facilities
|
|
One of the primary tools that must be present at a polar research station is a good voice, command and data communications system. The Geophysical Institute has developed a powerful integrated system of communications between the Poker Flat Research Range, the Geophysical Institute and the worldwide communications environment.
The system was designed to link well-equipped field observation facilities with researchers on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.
For example, the 10,000 square foot T. Neil Davis Science Operations Center (SOC) at Poker Flat Research Range is located away from any significant light, chemical and particulate pollution. A high capacity digital microwave communications link from this SOC is in place to the Geophysical Institute, where data analysis, management and storage facilities are positioned, and where visiting scientists may work in a convenient campus setting.
There are two primary connections from PFRR to the outside world:
Currently, PFRR has two telephone lines through Summit Telephone. The digital microwave system is providing 18 switched telephone lines, four dedicated 4-wire circuits, and two 56 Kb circuits; an additional channel bank is coming online soon. The range-wide ethernet is connected at T-1 speed to the GI network via the digital microwave system.
From the GI, connections can be provided to many services both on and off campus. Among the services on campus are:
Off campus connections can be made to long distance carriers Alascom (AT&T) and GCI as well as to the State of Alaska telecommunications system. Together, these carriers provide service to the lower-48 and throughout Alaska terrestrially and via satellite at various data rates. Commercial Internet access is also available through local service providers.
All major buildings on the three main centers at PFRR are connected by multi-strand, multi-mode, optical fibers (62.5 micron) and multi-pair copper telephone cables. Many are dark fibers (unused) which are "reserved" for the Range users. These can provide connectivity, given the appropriate terminal equipment, to the 45 Mbps microwave system, the LEC or other buildings on range.
The Poker Flat subnet provides Internet access at the Office, Poker Inn, Blockhouse, Telemetry, and SOC, as well as at the Data Analysis Center at GI.
Hubs provide 10baseT connections in all locations, with thinwire available at the Office and Blockhouse. These hubs are connected by means of the PFRR fiber optic backbone.