Caryon Development: All towers are not created equal

Caryon Development has created a state of the art, remote monitoring solution based on an automated server architecture. This unique architecture enables the user to not only monitor the critical systems of a cell site in real-time but to also have full control of that site.  Caryon’s Towerhawk™ systems monitor generators, fuel tanks, batteries status, grounding, fiber and other equipment on the tower as well as remote monitoring of the twist and sway of towers – particularly important to ensure H&S at older towers and for critical microwave alignment. Caryon recognizes the importance of prioritising critical hub sites, and investing in robust and comprehensive monitoring systems to create ‘Smart Towers’.

TowerXchange: Please introduce our readers to Caryon Development – what role do you play in the tower industry?

Caryon is the provider of state of the art “Towerhawk™” cell tower and DAS monitoring systems.

With the rapid global expansion of high value/high cost cellular equipment on towers and incorporated in DAS systems, more sophisticated tower infrastructure monitoring capabilities are necessary to keep pace. Caryon “Towerhawk Systems” monitor all tower functions in real time, improving operating efficiency and tower functionality while providing valuable analytics to reduce costs for tower operators and carriers by enabling more efficient truck rolls and related cost reductions.

TowerXchange: Please tell us what you can measure at a cell site.

The “Towerhawk” systems capabilities list is extensive (all patents pending) and added functions can be made at the request of the towerco, backhaul provider or carrier:

• Watchdog circuit: is a secondary means of access to the site if there is a system malfunction in the main fiber connection.

• Grounding: special patent pending circuits monitor the “ground” of the tower, lights, on site structures, radios and main site grounding loop.  When any registered ground is loose or removed, and/or the main site grounding loop is damaged, an alarm is generated for that specific grounded element. This is critical for lightning suppression, theft of grounding bars or bad grounding connections potentially saving millions every year in damaged or stolen items.

• Structural safety and stability (twist and sway): Our sensors monitor and record tower movement and excessive sway or dangerous tower situations. With aging towers, changes in wind loading, high wind and corrosion as well as tower overloading with heavier carrier equipment, the risks of catastrophic tower failure are of concern.

• Microwave misalignment: can be readily identified and whether the failure is temporary due to a storm or a situation needing attention as with tower overloading.

• Tower loading and structural analysis: Currently, engineering consultants “estimate” tower loading capacity. Repairs and reinforcement are undertaken based on a visual inspection of the tower. Towerhawk systems provide concise data, not estimates. Alarm points are programmed into the system so that any at risk tower is immediately identified.

• Lighting and generators: Tower lighting functionality is continuously monitored to reduce outages. Generator functions are also monitored for starting capability, battery health and accurate fuel levels. Generators can also be tested remotely and the status reported.  All monitoring functions and status are visible on a customer dashboard of all sites monitored. Caryon provides an instrument package enabling monitoring of all generators regardless of age and make.

• Surveillance: Programmable camera systems including pan, tilt and zoom functionality enable on-site surveillance regardless of how remote a site may be. Camera arrays and enhanced resolution provide resolution in complete darkness giving the ability to view and record even when the cell site may not have any outdoor lighting.  Area “alarm masking” is also utilised to report any “on tower” activity, non-authorised visitor or perimeter issues.

TowerXchange: Does Caryon Development focus on a particular category of sites with common characteristics?

Our focus to date has been on two categories; ‘Hardened Sites’ and ‘Remote Sites’.

Hardened Sites: Comprehensive “Towerhawk” systems are being deployed on towers and sites that are especially critical and/or vulnerable (e.g. Hub Sites) to insure seamless monitoring and communication at all times.

Remote Sites: As one example, Caryon has been developing a “plug and play” hardened generator and security system for remote locations where site visits are difficult but information on backup power, fuel levels and security are critical.

TowerXchange: Our readers always want to know ‘how proven is the solution in the field, so can you tell us a bit about where Towerhawk is in use in the US today?

Our systems have been running on US cell sites since August 2013. We have placed equipment in challenging environments to evaluate performance over our recent harsh winter, and they have stood up well to changing temperatures, precipitation, and wind velocity.

Our testing and engineering site performed flawlessly during this past winter and we continue to make significant inroads into the DAS monitoring, fiber and backhaul arenas with our patented technologies. Caryon has several NDA’s in place with various entities and is developing customised monitoring solutions and roll out programs for those companies.

We are also looking at several opportunities globally from towercos seeking help to resolve fuel theft problems at their sites. Caryon is also in discussion with several equipment manufacturers interested in integrating our technology into generators and other cell site equipment, and with backhaul service providers interested in adding monitoring to their bandwidth services.

We expect our solutions to be deployed at over 1,000 tower and DAS locations by the end of 2014.

TowerXchange: Tell us about the opportunities in DAS.

Remote monitoring of DAS represents a significant opportunity, and Caryon’s involvement in DAS may equal or even exceed our involvement in towers.

There is an emerging market for mobile users and businesses that demand immediate interactivity while working, shopping, traveling or attending live sports and entertainment events. At sporting events for example, if users can’t IM and watch on-demand coverage at the event, they won’t buy a ticket! And they can be incredibly hungry data users, with several tethered devices. This is one of the elements driving demand for DAS to boost capacity in venues and stadiums.

DAS as a means of filling in coverage gaps and communication between towers in areas with a challenging topography, such as in tunnels and under passes is growing exponentially.

We anticipate launching our DAS monitoring solutions in Q2 2014.

TowerXchange: What is the capital outlay on a per site basis?

We provide extremely cost effective systems for DAS installations, hub site monitoring and every type of cellular communication site in between. The capital outlay depends on what kind of site we’re working with and the specific monitoring involved. Typical tower installations range from US$5,000 to US$15,000.

TowerXchange: Talk to us about the economics of remote monitoring versus truck rolls.

Towerhawk systems pay for themselves with just a few “accurately informed” truck rolls and/or monitoring fees to carriers.

Rolling trucks to repair tower problems is a hit and miss proposition at best. On many occasions either the wrong vendor has responded to the service call or many have responded and are not needed. Being able to identify the problem before hand insures the right service tech is dispatched and carrying the right equipment and repair parts. This saves both time and money. Towerhawk monitoring systems identify a problem accurately and immediately.

Towercos can then send well informed and outfitted crews or notify a carrier crew of problems with precision, saving time and money.

The Towerhawk “Watchdog Circuit” and back up connection at each Caryon deployed site enables “back door” diagnosis, accessibility and repair even in the event of loss of other tower connectivity.

TowerXchange: How do towercos buy remote monitoring systems (RMS)? What has been your experience of engaging with engineering and with business departments? 

Engineering staffs are the first audience at towercos. They understanding that we are not marketing a traditional and limited function monitoring package where the primary intelligence is back at the NOC and the site systems are essentially passive connections that only transmit when a problem accrues, this is essential to our message. Caryon systems provide data analysis and reporting functions from intelligent data gathering systems located at each site with back-up systems in the event of power outages or communication interruption. These are “Smart Tower” standalone systems that do not require a NOC to enable system operation. Engineers understand the need for backup systems, tower stability, safety issues and key function access at all sites. In addition, Caryon also offers specialised NOC and reporting capability for our entire suite of systems.

Once engineering personnel understand and buy in, we then have a foundation for discussions with business development and corporate planners. The recognition that “Smart Towers” are a valuable asset to a company allows planners to add intelligent monitoring to their systems as they propose new towers or negotiate with carriers for tower installations or additional tower equipment installations and fees.

TowerXchange: Please define what you mean by a ‘Smart Tower’.

Just as there was a transition from basic phones to smart phones, there is a need for a transition from basic towers to smart towers. Currently tenants have a variety of location choices and there is often little to distinguish one tower location from another. In other words other than location the towers are really a commodity and a frame on which to hang antennas.  However in today’s business environment it is an advantage when a particular tower or group of towers has intelligent monitoring of the site built in and available. These functions add to tower reliability and make them more attractive to carrier tenants. We believe the benefits to the tower companies in improved performance and reduced maintenance costs coupled with carriers knowing that the site meets their long term needs is a real advantage.

We’ve seen statistics stating that In 1985 there were 900 cell sites in the US. Today there are about 190,000. Each cell tower represents a substantial infrastructure installation in its own right, with potentially millions of dollars worth of active equipment, backup power solutions and fiber backhaul connections. Many of these cell sites are unmanned and in remote locations requiring sites be secure and operating within certain parameters. Site security is moving in the direction already in place in the electrical infrastructure. As one example of a perennial problem we address, copper theft is a US$2 billion problem and the theft of copper wiring and grounding bars from cell sites is a significant element of that statistic.  Perhaps even more importantly, removal of copper cabling and grounding bars from a tower site leaves the entire infrastructure at the site vulnerable to lightning strikes and the consequent damage. Theft of fuel from sites is a similar high value problem that we can address with accurate real time fuel level reporting, alarming and site surveillance and recording.

TowerXchange: What role can Smart Towers play in public safety networks? How does government interest in critical hub towers add value to those sites?

The US “FirstNet” and other public safety programs will help identify critical tower locations and encourage or require system hardening at those locations. Hardening a site includes many of the functions in the Caryon Towerhawk systems. These towers must function during natural disasters and other critical events.

All “Towerhawk” systems are designed to be public safety oriented and FirstNet ready. Imagine a public safety incident that relies on first responder communication capability and/or massive public notification. Take for example an area hit by hurricane. The first responder and tower systems are online before the disaster and can be checked and serviced. Monitoring capabilities verify that systems are functioning and generators ready. During and after the disaster, the status of all towers and functions are accessible. Re-routing and emergency systems can be effectively deployed and a real time communications assessment is in place.

We feel public safety network initiatives on a global basis will create participation opportunities for the owners of critical hub sites in all markets including emerging markets.

TowerXchange: Finally, please sum up how you differentiate your solutions from competitive RMS – why is it so important that your solution is built on an automated server architecture rather than on an IP base?

We firmly believe that tower monitoring must be intelligent at the tower thereby creating “Smart Towers”. Communication towers are key infrastructure systems on which we rely as citizens and businesses as well as public agencies. There are millions of dollars invested in on-site carrier and tower equipment at all towers that must function seamlessly on a continuing basis. This cannot be done effectively utilising IP based systems that rely on simplified on-site connections without on-site intelligence.

This responsibility can only be accomplished by on-site intelligent digital control systems that can be programmed for precise data responsiveness, monitor key functions using on-site measuring programs and transmit intelligent information seamlessly.