Optimization of cable path in a Wan using GIS

Power | Telecom | Transport | Others

Optimization of cable path in a Wan using GIS

S. R. Nandha Kumar
Under graduate student, Birla Institute of Technology and Science(BITS),
Pilani (Raj.), 333 031, India
Email: srnandha@yahoo.com, f2000671@bits-pilani.ac.in

S. Sudharsan
Under graduate student, Birla Institute of Technology and Science,
Pilani (Raj.), 333 031, India
Email: f2000689@bits-pilani.ac.in

R. Ramachandran
Under graduate student, Birla Institute of Technology and Science,
Pilani (Raj.), 333 031, India
Email: f2000550@bits-pilani.ac.in

Rajiv Gupta
Associate Professor, Civil Engg. Group, Birla Institute of Technology and Science,
Pilani (Raj.), 333031, India
Tel: 091- 01596-245030 (R); 01596-245073*277, Fax: 91-1596-244183.
Email: rajiv@bits-pilani.ac.in

A network is a line coverage that is topology based and consists of connected linear features. A communication network, in its simplest form, is a set of equipment and facilities that provides as service: the transfer of information between the users located at various geographical points. Internet or inter network is no exception to this, which involves the interconnection of multiple networks into a single large area network. Toady GIS is used extensively to plan, build and operate communication networks and associated services. GIS can handle complex network problems, such as road network analysis. There are, of course, other types of network analysis, involving stream networks. For example, GIS could be used to model the flow of water through a river system, to plan a flood warning system.

Shortest path analysis (SPA) is based on a network with the objective of finding the path with the minimum cumulative cost in either time or distance between points on the network. Familiar networks include road system, railways, public transit, streams and shorelines etc... Another network which is analogous to the above networks is the WAN using cables. However the cable networks are different from the networks mentioned above. Some of the salient features of these networks are

Need of detailed information of not only topography but also interior of the buildings.
Cable laying is normally performed at the different elevations. Hence the need of integration and information of details at different elevations is necessary.
More number of alternatives as compared to the other networks.
More number of constraints
- Maximum length between the switch to a user is 90m.
- Fiber cables should be mainly underground
- Trenching involves labour cost , so trenching should be minimized
- Cost directly proportional to length of the cable.
More number of components is involved; switch size, cable size etc…

Due to the aforesaid factors the analysis of cable networks is difficult and need spatial and non spatial information. Hence GIS (Geographical Information System) which is capable of handling both types of information is most suitable tool for such problems. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system for capturing, storing, querying, analyzing and displaying geographic data.

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