What does it take to transform a fragile, high-maintenance radio network into a fast, resilient backbone capable of spanning 68 kilometers without a single repeater? For one of Central America’s largest power distributors, the answer was RipEX.
https//www.racom.eu/cz/case/energy-distribution
Challenge: Communication Instability in Rugged Terrain
One of Central America’s largest electricity distributors faced persistent communication issues across its extensive power grid—especially along the Caribbean coastline, where rugged terrain and harsh environmental conditions made reliable data transmission a constant struggle. Their existing setup, relying heavily on point-to-point (p-t-p) radio connections from multiple suppliers, suffered from chronic latency, unstable links, and costly maintenance interventions. Long-distance connections, like a 68 km link between a central hub and a remote city, required multiple repeaters and still failed to deliver consistent performance due to multipath interference.
Solution: RipEX Radios Transforming Network Architecture
To overcome these limitations, the utility company began deploying RACOM’s RipEX radio modems—starting with the proven RipEX and later adopting the advanced RipEX2 models. These units enabled a migration from point-to-point to a more efficient and stable point-to-multipoint (p-t-mp) topology, even in non-line-of-sight conditions.
The RipEX2 modem, in particular, eliminated the need for repeaters on previously problematic long-distance links, including the challenging 68 km route, thanks to its exceptional sensitivity and noise immunity. RACOM’s backup routing feature added further resilience, ensuring uninterrupted data flow even in case of partial network outages.
A RipEX2 unit equipped with LTE capability now manages both radio networks from a central location, streamlining remote diagnostics, monitoring, and maintenance.
Results: High Reliability and Scalable Network Expansion
By 2024, the utility had rolled out nearly 300 RACOM units—RipEX and RipEX2—with most configured in star-type topologies using the BDP protocol. These upgrades led to:
- Dramatically improved network stability and reduced response times
- Elimination of field service calls caused by link failures
- Reliable long-distance communication without repeaters
- Centralized, remote network management with integrated LTE connectivity
- Improved scalability, with expansion to recloser communication and other critical endpoints
Encouraged by these results, the utility is now evaluating full-duplex RipEX2 links to further enhance throughput across their SCADA infrastructure. RACOM’s RipEX technology has become a key pillar in their drive toward a more modern, efficient, and resilient power distribution network.
