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Harris Corp. Upgrades National Network for Chrysalis Radio -- Harris Technology Provides Easy Migration Path to Multi-Protocol Switching

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    • February 8, 2024

    by -- Harris Corporation

    Harris Corporation today announced that Chrysalis Radio, one of the UK's largest commercial radio networks with more than six million weekly listeners, has migrated its all-E1 star network to a hybrid E1/IP-based MPLS (multi-protocol label
    switching) platform via an upgrade to its Harris Intraplex CrossConnect Server.

    The CrossConnect Server, which combines E1 multiplexing and cross connect capabilities in a single compact unit, improves Chrysalis' ability to manage critical network traffic between its network hub in London and additional broadcast sites in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham. The Chrysalis move to hybrid switching reduces transmission costs with the bonus of being able to prioritize radio programming over other IP data.

    To achieve this functionality, CrossConnect was upgraded with the Harris Intraplex IntraLink(TM)-IP streaming multiplexer, which manages the encoding and transport of programme audio, voice and data channels over Ethernet networks while ensuring the most efficient use of available
    transmission capacity. The simple upgrade has the benefit of adding a superior level of flexibility and cost control to the distribution of programme channels within existing LAN, WAN and corporate Intranets.

    Bruce Davidson, group technical director, Chrysalis Radio, said, "The goal was not to fix something that wasn't broken, but to expand and enhance data connectivity within the group. However, since our business is to maintain a broadcast radio network, we had to ensure we didn't
    make any changes that could jeopardize our core operation, which is providing uninterrupted, high-quality radio."

    Prior to making the switch to an MPLS platform - designed and provided by UK IT giant THUS - Chrysalis wanted to be certain that the new platform would be fully compatible with existing Harris equipment and retain all current functionality. Extensive tests last year proved that to be the case.

    "We did two full days of lab testing and the results were excellent," said Davidson. "We wanted to link our sites with a flexible, cost-effective, converged system that could be developed to incorporate new technologies, which is precisely what has happened. Now that the upgrade is complete, I'm extremely pleased with the flexibility and robust performance of the Harris system. The transition has been painless and we now have the functionality, reliability and excellent
    support that give us all the confidence we need to operate 24/7/365."


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