What does it take to transform a high-maintenance, failure-prone 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 RACOM RipEX2.
https//www.racom.eu/eng/case/energy-distribution
Challenge: Unstable Communication in Rugged Terrain
Operating along the Caribbean coastline, the utility struggled with persistent communication issues. Rugged terrain, harsh environmental conditions, and reliance on point-to-point radio links caused:
- Chronic latency and unstable connections
- Multipath interference on long links
- Expensive, frequent field interventions
- Multiple repeaters required for a single 68 km backbone connection
The network lacked both stability and scalability—slowing down modernization of their SCADA infrastructure.
Solution: RipEX2 Radios Redefine the Network
The company deployed RACOM RipEX and RipEX2 radios, migrating from point-to-point to more efficient point-to-multipoint topologies, stable even in non-line-of-sight conditions.
Key breakthroughs included:
- 68 km link without repeaters – RipEX2 handled challenging long-distance routes using QAM modulation.
- LTE module for instant deployment – Customers could activate the network immediately, even before the VHF/UHF backbone was built, gaining valuable time for careful planning.
- LTE as backup and management channel – Beyond redundancy, LTE became a critical tool for centralized remote management of both RipEX2 radios and connected devices. This cut travel costs, improved response times, and guaranteed operational continuity.
- Resilient architecture – Backup routing and star topologies with BDP protocol provided stability and scalability.
Results: Reliable, Scalable, Future-Proof
By 2024, the utility had deployed nearly 600 RACOM radios. The benefits were immediate and measurable:
- Reliable long-distance communication without repeaters
- Dramatically improved network stability and response times
- Elimination of costly service trips caused by link failures
- Centralized, remote management with integrated LTE
- Fast rollout and efficient scaling to reclosers and other endpoints
Encouraged by these results, the utility is now exploring full-duplex RipEX2 links for higher throughput, as well as RipEX2-HS high-availability solutions and RAy microwave links for future expansion.
A Pillar of Modern Power Distribution
With RipEX2, the utility not only solved long-standing communication problems but also created a flexible platform for growth. LTE integration allowed for instant deployment and ongoing remote control, while the robust radio backbone ensures the network will scale reliably for years to come.
RACOM technology is now a key pillar in their journey toward a modern, efficient, and resilient power distribution network.
