When Peel Airports Group, the owners of both airports, were required to upgrade the radar and communication services due to a programmed airspace change, they turned to Cyrrus Ltd, a leading UK independent consultancy that focuses on bringing creative, imaginative solutions to the challenges facing the airport and air traffic industries.

Having determined the technical requirement and created the system design, Cyrrus approached Cambridgeshire-based Magdalene Ltd for a solution to meet the operational requirement. Magdalene then selected and developed the RAD

Megaplex-2100 solution to meet the need, which enabled Cyrrus to recommend that Peel Airports Group deploy the multiplexers at each end of each E1 line. The RAD equipment was then supplied by Magdalene, who utilised their marshalling, integration and test-bed facilities to build and configure the products prior to site deployment, and were also on hand to assist Cyrrus with the commissioning of the solution.

Complex Applications Accommodated by Network Architecture

Apart from radar hardware changes, the project also entailed frequency allocation alterations together with new ATC operational procedures. Among the many complex applications that have to be accommodated by the architecture are full redundant path switchover, G.703 co-directional 64 kbps channels, PCM voice, radar data, and Ethernet status monitoring, all of which have to be transported across a fault tolerant WAN network.

Future-Proof Solution Supports Legacy and Packet Switched Transport

"RAD was one of the few companies to support legacy protocols like G.703 co-directional 64 kbps as well as providing vital Ethernet, RS232 and voice channels," noted Mr Richard Ingless, Director of Cyrrus. "The future-proof Megaplex-2100 is equipped with redundant ring recovery and an IP link option that will enable it to continue to be used should packet-switched IP or Ethernet transport, with a critical Service Level Agreement (SLA), become available in the future," he continued. "Moreover, on submission of the Safety Case, approval was secured from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate the new Megaplex-2100 based system in this safety-critical airport operation."

RAD's Megaplex-2100 multiplexers will also allow Robin Hood Airport to reduce their telecommunications operating expenses (Opex) by incorporating cross-site PBX traffic without having to lease additional expensive E1 links.

Co-operation and Teamwork ensured project success

Magdalene were pleased to assist Cyrrus and their partners in their task to design and deploy the required solution for Peel's Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield and Liverpool John Lennon airports. "Working to tight timescales, our solution engineering team advised Cyrrus on the initial equipment selection, our logistics department sourced the products from RAD, and our technical support engineers provided configuration, test and implementation services" stated Mr Bernard Smart, General Manager at Magdalene Ltd. "With Magdalene's company motto 'Our People Make The Difference' in mind, our highly competent engineering consultants have a broad range of experience in transmission and radio systems," Smart reflected. "They have benefited from attendance at the annual RAD partners technical workshops, resulting in official RAD accreditation for Magdalene to provide training courses to its customers," he added. "Utilising our 24/7 Network Operations Centre, we are able to provide long-term support services to ensure operation and availability of this critical communications solution."

Cyrrus also called on the assistance of Northstar Business Solutions Ltd, another of their working partners, to support the project. "Cyrrus maintains close contact with a number of trusted partnership companies that work well together and we augment each other's core competence to ensure that we deliver value for money projects on time," concluded Ingless, who formerly served as a radar system design authority at Raytheon.

About RAD

Established in 1981, privately owned RAD Data Communications has achieved international recognition as a major manufacturer of high quality access equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications. These solutions serve the data and voice access requirements of service providers, incumbent and new carriers, and enterprise networks, by reducing infrastructure investment costs while boosting competitiveness and profitability. The company's installed base exceeds 10,000,000 units and includes more than 150 carriers and operators around the world. These customers are supported by 21 RAD offices and more than 300 channel partners in 164 countries.

RAD is a member of the RAD Group of companies, a world leader in networking and internetworking product solutions.

RAD Data Communications sites: http://www.rad.com and http://www.airportcomm.com

Contact
    Bob Eliaz, RAD Data Communications
    +972-3-6458134
    bob@rad.com

Contact, Bob Eliaz, RAD Data Communications, +972-3-6458134, bob@rad.com

The last qualifiers will be held in Bahrain on December 6th. To register a team simply visit www.xeroxgolfchallenge.com. Entries will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis and waitlisted if qualifying rounds reach full capacity.

7th QUALIFIER - LEADING SCORES AND QUALIFIERS.1st: Team So-Safe Water Technologies, Usman Mahmood & Noman Mahmood - 672nd: Team IRR Middle East, Owen Mills & Graham Wood - 683rd: Team Q2 Arabia FZ-LLC, Joe Jarrett & Dominic McGill - 68 For further information, please contact:Carrie McNeill, Professional Sports Group, Mobile: 050 545 7674, Email: carrie@profsports.com The 11th Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge is sponsored by HSBC, the world's local bank, & Dell, the world's leading computer systems company. Troon Golf manages the Challenge for a fifth consecutive year. Other sponsors include Crystal Gallery, Ecco & Renaissance Dubai Hotel. Khaleej Times is the tournament's official newspaper, Middle East Golfer is the official golf magazine and Coast 103.8FM is joining as the official radio partner for 2008.

The 2008 Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge qualifiers will be held as follows: (1: 15th March ~ Arabian Ranches Golf Club, UAE)2: 12th April ~ Doha Golf Club, Qatar3: 13th April ~ Dirab Golf Club, Saudi Arabia4: 24th April ~ The Majlis, Emirates Golf Club, UAE5: 3rd May ~ Abu Dhabi Golf Club, UAE6: 9th October ~ The Montgomerie, Dubai, UAE7: 1st November ~ The Els Club, Dubai, UAE8: 6th December ~ Riffa Golf Club, Bahrain Grand Final: 13th December ~ Abu Dhabi Golf Club To enter the 2008 Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge, simply visit www.xeroxgolfchallenge.com. Entries will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis and waitlisted if qualifying rounds reach full capacity.

(C) 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

"I have a number of players on the injury list, although I wouldn't want to disclose their names. Phikwe has never been a good hunting ground for us, but we go there and compete," he said. He said their pre-season preparations were not good though they played well in their first game against ECCO.

He pointed out that his side is slowly adjusting to life without striker Derrick Ntumbayi who joined league champions, Mochudi Centre Chiefs during the off-season. "We are trying to plug holes in the team and I think we are managing judging by what I saw during our game against ECCO," Mogae said. Tomorrow, Boteti will pin their hopes on midfielders, Masego Batlwaetse, Patrick Lenyeletse and defender, Master Mokhondo.

Nico coach, Madinda Ndlovu did not sound positive about his side's preparations for the game. "Personally, I am not happy with the way our preparations have gone. I am basically having the same side from last season and we have not prepared the way I would have liked," he said.

He added that Nico could have won its first game against TAFIC but the team was badly affected by the horrific injury suffered by defender Derrick Ramofi after colliding with the goalkeeper.

Ndlovu said his key players performed below par against TAFIC. The coach must be worried with the form of last season's leading goal scorer, Master Masitara who fired blanks in the Coca-Cola Cup and failed to find the net against TAFIC.

Nico's bid to bring former BDF XI striker, Edwin Kamwimba on board seems to have hit a snag as the Zambian is reportedly still in Mauritius. Majombolo hope that the Thobo 'Fish' Kgoboge and Masitara combination clicks tomorrow. The two struck a telepathic understanding last season and scored 32 goals between them.

Ndlovu called for caution from Majombolo supporters, saying they should not expect a lot from the team in their first home game of the season. The game kicks-off at 4pm.

After years of struggle, GU launched a serious campaign in the league, which saw them finishing second behind Chiefs during the 2007-2008 season. Under the tutelage of Zambian coach, Mike Sithole, the Reds have seen a revival of soccer fortunes. To show their intention to fight for silverware this season, GU has added some quality players to their squad.

These include Tiroyamodimo 'TRX' Mohambi (from Extension Gunners), Gabriel Bokhutlo and Boniface 'Zolo' Makolo (both from Township Rollers) and Boitumelo 'Bashin' Modisaotsile (from ECCO City Greens). Hard-working defender, Joseph Phetogo was recalled from Nathi Lions in the South African First Division to beef up a squad that had good players like Itayi Gwandu, Tshepo 'Schoolboy' Molefe, Sageby Sandaka, Molatedi 'Toronto' Mabina, Ronald Chikomo and Kenny Ledikwe.

"It is a challenge for us to keep all these players happy and the good thing is that we did not make empty promises when signing contracts with them. There is good understanding between the committee and players and we are optimistic that they will deliver the goods.

We had had an open meeting with the players and coaching staff and made them aware of our expectations. We are very happy that our players were very frank with us," Nkomazana told Mmegi Sport. GU have signed two-year contracts with most of the players.

Phaphane said they gave each player a chance to review the contracts before signing. "The good thing is that we also kept the same technical team which led the club to second spot last season. We have made the technical team aware that we are not going to interfere in their job but we expect the results," he said.

Phaphane pointed out that the players they signed during the transfer window were recommended by the coaching personnel. He said that it is important for GU to improve its relationship with the media, which they believe plays an important role in the success of any club.

He promised that the club will be transparent in everything it does. "We are not saying that you should not report anything bad about us. But we are saying that you should be fair," added Nkomazana. The Reds' boss pointed out that they are in the process privatising the club after a decision by the general assembly.

Sebele chipped in and added that the privatisation plans are at an advanced stage because the past committee had done some work on it. "We have come up with a model, which we are discussing with potential bidders and by the beginning of November, we should be able to call you and tell you the final decision," he explained.

GU officials intend to lure the club's supporters back. As part of mobilising the support, GU recently went to Serowe to play First Division side, Miscellaneous and the response was impressive, club officials say. The club plans to introduce membership cards.