GE MDS Orbit ECR Data sheet

GE Power

Now supporting

Dual SIM,

CBRS,

900MHz band 8

MDS Orbit
Cellular Solutions

Highly Reliable Cellular Solutions for
Critical Applications

MDS™ Orbit is a next-generation industrially hardened wireless communications networking platform
designed with a common operating system, device management tools, and a comprehensive networking
and cyber-security framework. These commonalities in the platform significantly reduce the overall
learning time for users, simplifying the set-up and commissioning of networks, and enables the
deployment of a variety of network designs and topologies.

The MDS Orbit platform is available in two models, the Multiservice-Connect Router (MCR) which
supports dual Wide Area Network (WAN) radio options and the Edge-Connect Router (ECR) which
supports a single WAN radio option. The Orbit platform supports multiple wireless technologies
including 4G cellular, unlicensed 900 MHz, and licensed 100, 200, 400, 700, and 900 MHz.

In addition to the core feature suite derived from the MDS Orbit platform, the cellular options enable
operators to extend secure and reliable 4G LTE cellular connectivity to critical applications while
minimizing network downtime and improving application availability. The Platform supports a rich set of
cellular modem options, dual SIM, and covers a wide variety of bands to maximize the flexibility of
deployment across carriers and countries.

The MDS Orbit platform features rich networking capabilities with integrated routing and switching,
tunneling, VPNs as well as advanced Quality of Service. It further supports a rigid enterprise-class security
framework to enable the secure transport of data and advanced protection of network and assets.

Key Benefits

• Minimize network downtime and maximize critical applications availability utilizing dual private and

cellular radio options on the MDS Orbit MCR

• Extend cellular coverage into rural areas using a cellular uplink and a private point to multipoint radio

downlink on the MDS Orbit MCR

• Protect network assets and access with enterprise-class security such as firewalling, IPSec VPNs, X.509

certificate management, and RADIUS

Overcome harsh environments with IEEE® 1613 and Class 1 Div. 2 standard certifications

•

Applications

Industry Leading
Reliability

• 30 years of extensive experience with more than

2 million radios deployed

• Combined cellular and private radio options for

redundant wireless uplinks resulting in higher
network availability

• Built for harsh environments with compliance to

IEEE 1613, and Class 1 Div. 2

• Industry leading Mean Time Between Failures

(MTBF) of 68 years

• 5-year manufacturer warranty lowers total cost

of ownership

Advanced Networking & Security

• Flexible Quality of Service enables simultaneous

applications on the same uplink while preserving
performance

• Concurrent routing and bridging enables

flexibility for a variety of network designs and
topologies

• Enterprise-class device with network cyber

security functionality and VPNs ensures
advanced protection for network assets

*

• FIPS 140-2 (Level 2) certified

Ease of Use &

Oil & Gas

• Well head automation

• WiFi connectivity

• Remote field office connectivity

Electric Utilities

• Distribution automation

• Maintenance workforce mobility

• RTU serial/IP SCADA

Water & Wastewater

• Pressure monitoring

• Pipeline monitoring and control

• Maintenance workforce mobility

Smart Cities & Municipalities

• Traffic signals control

• Video security

• Weather monitoring stations

Compact Design

• Intuitive user interface and configuration wizards

simplify complex network configuration tasks
resulting in accelerated deployment of advanced
networking

• One of the industry’s most compact radios with

full router functionality

Diverse Cellular Options

MDS Orbit MCR

with Cellular and 900 MHz

MDS Orbit ECR

with 4G LTE Cellular and WiFi

Support for 4G cellular technology with dual SIM and fallback options on both
GSM and CDMA networks allow the flexibility of global deployment across
carriers and regions. GPS support on select 4G LTE models enable position
reporting for asset tracking as well as GIS integration.

Enterprise-Class Security

The MDS Orbit platform’s hardware and software is built on an extensive
enterprise-class cyber security framework. Advanced features such as
firewalling, VPNs, X.509 certificates, RADIUS authentication as well as secure
boot and firmware provide advanced security for device, network, and users.

Flexible Networking

Concurrent routing and bridging allow for the flexibility of deployment in
a variety of network designs and topologies. Layer 2 (Ethernet) and Layer
3 tunneling further enable the establishment of VPNs across any type of
networks, including the tunneling of Layer 2 automation protocols over
cellular networks.

Hybrid Radios

The MDS Orbit MCR’s support for redundant private and cellular radio uplinks
maximizes network availability for critical applications. It further allows
the extension of cellular connectivity using licensed or unlicensed private
networks to expand cellular network coverage deep into rural and deserted
areas. Private radio options include unlicensed 900 MHz Frequency Hopping
Spread Spectrum with throughput of up to 1.25Mbps, in addition to licensed
narrowband with QPSK, 16-QAM, and 64-QAM modulations with throughput
up to 120 Kbps.

Advanced Quality of Service

Advanced Quality of Service (QoS) allows the simultaneous handling of
various applications while ensuring the preservation of each application’s
priority and performance requirements. Layer 2, 3, and 4 classification
enables the detailed identification of application types for maximum
flexibility in addition to standard 802.1p and DSCP based classifications.

Intuitive User Interface

An easy-to-use Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows for the quick
provisioning and maintenance from a web browser. MDS Orbit’s wizards
accelerate the configuration of complex network functionality by breaking
down processes into simple, concise, and automated steps.

2

MDS Orbit ECR

with 4G LTE Cellular

geautomation.com

A Multiservice Router for Electric Utilities Field Area Networks

The MDS Orbit MCR and ECR routers offer several key features and benefits
when applied as a multiservice router gateway for distribution automation
field area networks. The substation hardened design complies with IEEE
1613 standards and NFPA 70 Class 1 Div 2 thus permitting a reliable
deployment in harsh substation environments.

4G LTE North America and EMEA cellular models support a GPS/ Glonass
functionality to feed location information into fleet management and GIS
applications. Advanced QoS allows multiple traffic streams to co-exist
efficiently on the same uplink such that each application’s priority and
performance criteria are preserved while ensuring critical applications are
handled first. Support for concurrent private radios and cellular uplinks

dramatically improves network availability and offer a viable replacement for
legacy Telco 4-wire circuits.

Flexible Layer 2 and Layer 3 GRE combined with routing and IPSec VPNs
enable the transport of various applications over private and/or cellular
networks. Enterprise-class security including APNs, IPSec VPNs, RADIUS
authentication, stateful firewalling and MAC filtering enable grid operators to
securely transport critical data over cellular carriers and protect network
assets. MDS Orbit’s security framework allows integration into applications
demanding NERC

®

CIP compliance.

Wireless Substations

Migrate legacy substations to a reliable wireless
MCR solution with a primary private network and
backup cellular.

Distribution Automation

Automate reclosers, voltage regulators,
distributed generation, and other distribution
assets with a secure ECR cellular solution.

Mobile Communications

Provide mobile communications to fleets via
cellular communications. Enable remote
management, VoIP and GPS.

geautomation.com

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