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.

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Flexible SCADA and Video Communication Solutions for Water & Wastewater

The MDS Orbit MCR and ECR routers offer several key benefits for water and
wastewater applications. Coupled with low-cost cellular plans, the
MDS Orbit offers a rich, long-lasting and cost-effective M2M solution. When
applicable, cellular and private networks can be deployed simultaneously on

the MCR form factor to interconnect various sites for SCADA, video security,
and other applications. In addition, advanced Quality of Service capabilities
ensure that various applications can co-exist effectively on the same uplink.

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Hybrid Cellular and Private Communications Enable the Digital Oil & Gas Field

The MDS Orbit MCR and ECR routers also provide several key benefits for Oil
& Gas applications including a dual or single uplink connectivity over cellular
and/or private networks. Connectivity extends into remote areas with weak
or no cellular coverage using MDS Orbit 900 MHz unlicensed FHSS
technology which provides a self-healing network with 1.25Mbps of
throughput and a network depth of 8 hops via Store-and-Forward technology.

MDS Orbit’s rich networking and advanced Quality of Service capabilities allow
for a variety of applications such as SCADA, Voice over IP, video and WiFi access
to co-exist on the same uplinks even when bandwidth is limited.

Advanced Quality of Service ensures that data traffic entering the network
is re-organized and prioritized in such a way that critical applications
are handled first to minimize performance impact due to any unforeseeable
network congestion.

The single-radio MDS Orbit ECR cellular router can be deployed in mobile
or nomadic applications requiring ubiquitous network connectivity. The
integrated active GPS allows for transmission of coordinates to feed into
fleet management applications for asset tracking.

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MDS Orbit MCR and ECR Model Comparison

North America / Brazil

• DC-HSPA+ (42/11 Mbps) 1,2,4,5,6,8,9,19

FORM FACTOR

MCR (Multiservice­Connect Router)

NETWORKING &

SECURITY CAPABILITIES

Identical, based on MDS Orbit • 4G LTE North America / EME A +

ECR (Edge-Connect
Router)

* High port density Port Option C only supports 2.4GHz Wi -Fi as an optional secondary radio

Identical, based on MDS Orbit • 4G LTE North America / EMEA +

PRIMARY RADIO

(FACTORY CONFIGURED)

GPS

GPS

OPTIONAL SECONDARY RADIO

(FACTORY CONFIGURED)

• 900 MHZ ISM

• Licensed narrowband (consult

Sales for supported options)

• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi

• 2.4/5GHz 2x2 MIMO Wi-Fi

• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi • 1 Ethernet, 1 Serial, 1 USB

• Option A: 2 Ethernet, 1 Serial, 1 USB

• Option B: 1 Ethernet, 2 Serial, 1 USB

• Option C: 4 Ethernet, 2 Serial, 1 USB

PORT OPTIONS

*

Supported Cellular Radios on Orbit

CELLULAR

MODEM TYPE

4G LTE
North America /
EMEA

ECR MCR

Yes Yes • FDD LTE (Cat 6)

• TDD LTE (Cat 6) Band 41

• DC-HSPA+ (42/5.76 Mbps) 1,2,3,4,5,8

PROTOCOL/FREQUENCIES

Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,12,13,20,25,26,29,30

FALLBACK

SUPPORT

3G AT&T, Verizon, FCC, PTCRB,

APPROVALS/

CERTIFICATIONS

CE, GCF

MAX RATE
DOWN/UP

MBPS

100/50 2 Yes

# SIM

SLOTS

GPS

4Ga –4G LTE (CBRS)

/ EMEA

Yes Yes • FDD LTE (Cat 12)

Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,12,13,18,19.20,
26,28,29,30,32,46,66

• TDD LTE (Cat 6) Band 41,42,43,48

3G FCC, PTCRB, CE, GCF

*Anatel Pending

*AT&T, Verizon roadmap

100/100 2 Yes

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Technical Specifications

Networking

• Routing : Static Routing with Failove r, Dynamic routing: OSPF v2,

RIPv2, BGPv4

• Ethernet IEEE 802.3, 802.1Q/VLANs, IGMP, STP, 64 VLANs

• Concurrent Bridging & Routi ng Yes

• Tunneling Layer 2 (Ethernet) and Layer 3 (IP) – GRE, IPsec,

Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN)

• High A vailability Failover between a ny two wireless/Ethernet

interfaces, performance- based failover (latency and packet loss)

• Quality o f Service 16 egress queue s, Priority Queuing, Fair

Queuing, Traffic Shaping, Classification base d on DSCP, 802.1p
and Layer 2-4 classifiers

• IP Protocols TCP, UDP, ARP, DHCP, ICMP, NTP, FTP, SFTP, TFTP,

DNS, configurable, HTTP and HTTPS, SSH

• Serial TCP server, Modbus/TCP, Modbus RTU, TCP client, UDP

Unicast and Mult icast, BSAP, and DNP3

Cyber Security

• IPSec V PN Server (responder) and Clie nt (initiator)

• Authentic ation Public Key, EAP TL S, Pre-Shared, Ike 1-2

• Encryption 3DES, AES 128/192/256, CBC, CTR, CCM, GCM, SHA

256/384/512 HMAC

• Firew all Stateful L3-4 Access Control List, Layer 2 MAC Filter ing,

NAT, Source NAT (Masquerading), Static NAT, Port Forwarding

• Device Security Secure Boot, Secure Firmware, Digitally Signed

Hardware and Softwa re, Magnetometer Tamper Dete ction

• Certificate Management X.509, SCEP, PEM, DER, RSA

• User A uthentication Local RBAC, AAA/RADIUS

• FIPS 140-2 (Level 2) certifie d

WiFi

IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz option:

• 1x1 SI SO (single antenna/radio chain )

• Scalab ility up to 2 SSIDs, up to 7 clients/stations

• Max transmi t power (adjustable): up to 20dBm

• Opera ting modes: Access Po int (AP), Station, Station bridging

• Security: WPA/WPA2 PSK, Enterprise

• Applica tions:
– Local configuration and manag ement using Wi-Fi devices
– Station/client connecting to a 2.4GHz AP in outdoor LOS

environment

– Small-scale 2.4GHz AP operat ing in outdoor LOS environment

IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n Dual-Band 2.4/5 GHz option:

• 2x2 MIMO (dual antenna/radio chain)

• Scalab ility up to 2 SSIDs, up to 32+ clients/stations

• Max tra nsmit power (adjustable): up to 26dBm (23dBm per
antenna/chain) for 2. 4GHz and 23dBm (20dBm per ante nna/
chain) for 5GHz

*

• 5GH z (U-NII-1 and U-NII-3 bands supported)

• Ope rating modes: Access Point, S tation, Station bridging,

Access-Point-Station (simultaneous AP a nd Station opera tion)

• Security: WPA/WPA2 PSK, Enterprise

• Ap plications:
– Local configuration and manag ement using Wi-Fi devices
– Station/client connecting to a 2.4Ghz/5Ghz AP in indoor/

outdoor LOS/NLOS environment

– Large-scale AP operating in indoor/outdoor LOS/NLOS

environment

Network Management

• Secure device management via HTTP/HTTPS (GUI) and Juniper­style CLI via S SH or local console

• Eve nt logging, Syslog over TLS

• Ipe rf throughput diagnostic

• NETCONF

• SNMPv1/v2c/v3, MIB-II, Enterprise MIB

• GE MDS PulseNET NMS Support

Electrical and Power C onsumption

• Inp ut Voltage 10 to 60 VDC

• Orb it ECR and MCR Power Consumpt ion Calculations
(with nominal 25C)

WITH 4G LTE POWER 13.8V

• Conne cted (Idle) 4.0W 292mA

• Typica l download 4.3W 310mA

WITH 4G LTE + WI-FI POWER 13.8V

• Conne cted (Idle) 4.8W 350mA

• Typica l download 5.5W 400mA

Physical Interfaces

• 10/100 Ethernet RJ45

• RS-232/RS-485 Serial RJ45
– ECR: 1 Ethernet + 1 Serial
– MCR: 2 Ethernet + 1 Serial ; OR

1 Ethernet + 2 Ser ial; OR
4 Ethernet + 2 Ser ial

• USB Ma nagement: 1 x Mini-USB 2.0 port on MCR and ECR

• Ante nna Connectors
400 MHZ/900 MHZ licensed: TNC900
ISM: TNC | WiFi: R P-SMA
Cellular: SMA | GP S: SMA fem

• LEDs PWR, ETH, COM, NIC1, NIC2

Agency Approvals / Standards

• F CC Part 15 and IC

• ETSI / CE (WiFi models)

• P TCRB, GCF

• IEEE 1613

• CSA Class 1, Div. 2, CSA C22.2 No. 142 & 213-M1987

• ANSI/ISA – 12.12.01 – 2013, UL 916 5th Ed.

• EN 60079-0:2012, EN60079-15:2010

• Shock: MIL-STD- 810F Method 516.5

• Vib ration: MIL-STD-810F Method 514.5

• Shock and Vibration: EIA RS374A

• Stora ge Temp: Mil-Std 810F Section 501.4 with 1-week soak test

• IP 40/41 per IEC 60529 for Vertical Falling Water and Pollution 3

for Dust

Environmental & M echanical

• Ope rating Temp -40° to +70°C (-40° 158°F)

• Stora ge Temp -40° to +85°C (-40° 185°F)

• H umidity 95% at 60°C (140°F) non-conde nsing

• Cas e Die Cast Aluminum

• Mo unting Options Integrated DIN Rail mount and Standard

Mounting bracket

• No Fa ns, No Moving Parts

• HALT& HASS Testing

• MCR Dimens ions:

– 1.75 H x 8.0 W x 4.8 D inches
– 4.5 H x 20.3 W x 12.2 D cm

• MCR Weight 2lbs (0.91 Kg)

• ECR Dimensions:

– 2.1 H x 4.3 W x 4.6 D
– 5.4 H x 10.9 W x 11.7 D cm)

• EC R Weight 1.45lbs (0.66 Kg)

GPS

• Ava ilable with 4G LTE North Ame rica & EMEA cellular models

• GN SS, GPS, Glonass

• Ma ximum 30 channels (16 GPS, 14 GLONASS), simultaneous

tracking

• NMEA 0183 V3.0

• Ac quisition Time: Hot start 1s, Warm start 29s, Cold start 32s

• Accuracy: Horizontal < 2 m (50%); < 5 m (90%) Altitude: < 4 m

(50%); < 8 m (90%) ; Velocity: < 0.2 m/s

Warranty

• 5-ye ar standard manufacturer warranty

* Check with loca l sales representative for a vailability.

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For more information about
GE Industrial Communications products visit

geautomation.com

For more information in North America, call 1-888-437-5739 or email [e-mail]. For more information
Worldwide, call 1-704-561-5751 or email [e-mail].

GE Power
Automation & Controls
2500 Austin Dr
Charlottesville, VA 22911
www.geautomation.com

© 2018 General Elec tric. The GE brand and logo ar e trademarks of General Elect ric. * Trademark of General Elec tric. IEC is a registered trademark
of Commission Elec trotechnique Internationale. IEEE is a registered tra demark of the Institute of E lectrical Electronics Engineers, Inc. Modbus is
a registered trade mark of Schneider Automatio n. NERC is a registered tra demark of North American Ele ctric Reliability Council. N IST is a
registered trademark of the National Institute of S tandards and Technology. All o ther trademarks are the prope rty of their respective owners. GE
reserves the right to make changes to specif ications of products descr ibed at any time without noti ce and without obligation to notify any
person of such change s.

03.18 GFA2140C