Gallery
Here are a few examples of work that we have done for clients across the country. Most of our clients are Critical Infrastructure and therefore cannot share openly the details of installations, systems, and locations. However, these examples should give the reader a feel for the type of work that we can do for them.
EXPERIENCE
TOP Engineers Plus is pleased to present detailed descriptions of current or recent communications engineering infrastructure improvement projects. As each phase of an installation is completed, our clients are able to independently manage the installation with confidence and flexibility. We have called upon the communications engineering experience of our seasoned team members to strategically approach each project to ensure the projects are completed on target, on time and on budget. TOP recognizes the importance of effective communication to support the progression of a project or program. Systematically providing updates, documenting progress and enabling cooperation, a culture of communication is established to provide an opportunity to resolve outstanding issues in a timely manner.
TOP is pleased to present the following summary of current or recent communications engineering projects. References for each project are available upon request.
Critical Communications Infrastructure: Fiber Optic Replacement Program
City Public Service Energy (CPSE)
TOP Engineers was selected to provide a turn-key communications engineering design and implementation for the installation of 97 miles of fiber into 26 substations as part of a program to replace existing aged fiber optic infrastructure. Implementation of this project has drawn on our extensive knowledge of the electric distribution overhead and underground standards. TOP brought to the project our experience with critical infrastructure in the electric utility industry, extensive experience with fiber infrastructure, and understanding of the National Electric Safety Code standards for utility pole contacts.
The turn-key project involves Preliminary Engineering, Field Survey, Development of Issue for Review Documents, Pole Attachment Application Process, Make-Ready Engineering, Communications Make-Ready Design, Highway and Railroad Crossing permits; Development of Issue to Construction documents; Installation, Splicing, Testing and Documentation.
TOP establishes foundational processes to report status, reflects issues, and offers a communication forum to address challenges that could affect project scope, schedule and budget. As issues or opportunities are presented that may impact design components, they are evaluated, addressed and documented.
Critical Communications Infrastructure: Fiber Backbone
Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC)
TOP Engineers’ engagement in the development of a communications engineering Master Plan for Fiber Network, Bill of Materials, Phased Budget and Implementation Plan involved interviewing stakeholders for their immediate and long-term needs. TOP brought to the project our experience with critical infrastructure in the electric utility industry, extensive experience with fiber infrastructure, and understanding of the National Electric Safety Code standards for utility pole contacts. TOP has completed the Master Plan and the Pilot Project the development of the detailed engineering design for the first phase Priority One to connect over 50 electric substations.
TOP worked with TCEC engineers to establish internal standards for the deployment of fiber optic cable in every aspect of their infrastructure. This included developing a comprehensive bill of materials, prioritizing routes, establishing budget requirements, and producing anticipated construction estimates. Detailed engineering design packages were produced that include data from field surveys, make-ready assessments, detailed route analysis, and facility entry requirements.
Critical Communications Infrastructure: Asset Inventory
One Source (Tri-County Electric Cooperative Subsidiary)
TOP Engineers Plus was called upon to perform this audit of fiber optic infrastructure assets for an electric cooperative because of demonstrated experience in the field of fiber optic infrastructure. We implemented a coordinated approach to document existing facilities using laser-based field tools and mobile software applications to measure, model and document facilities. We identified and documented existing fiber optic assets, tracked fiber path, identified routes, and labeled fiber. Documented underground facilities and coordinated with the aerial team regarding transformation from overhead to underground.
Nearly 1.5 million feet of cable metadata surveyed; nearly 1800 network features documented with GPS; all survey data placed into Fiber Management tool. The information was used to develop confirmable documentation for the client to reflect the magnitude and complexity of an extensive network of fiber. We utilized established foundational processes to capture information, provide documentation and facilitate communication to keep projects on task, on schedule and on budget. By systematically providing updates, documenting progress and enabling cooperation, a culture of communication was established to provide an opportunity to resolve outstanding issues in a timely manner.
Critical Communications Infrastructure: Fiber Backbone and Fiber to the Home
Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC)
TOP is providing communications engineering design services for critical communications infrastructure backbone and for a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) business design and implementation plan.
TOP performs field surveys from the electric substation out through the electric distribution feeders to the customer homes. The tasks have drawn on TOP’s extensive knowledge of the electric distribution overhead and underground standards. TOP has worked closely with GVEC engineers to implement cutting edge Fiber to the Home requirements in the outside plant designs. This includes a comprehensive Bill of Materials, using the Corning fiber configurator, and documentation in the fiber management system called CrescentLink. Detailed engineering design packages are produced that include data from field surveys, make-ready assessments, detailed route analysis, and facility entry requirements.
Critical Communications Infrastructure: Fiber Backbone
City of Bentonville (COB)
TOP provides communications engineering design services for critical communications infrastructure backbone that has drawn on TOP Engineers’ extensive knowledge of electric distribution overhead and underground standards. TOP worked with COB engineers to establish internal standards for the deployment of fiber optic cable in every aspect of their infrastructure. This includes developing a comprehensive bill of materials, establishing design standards, prioritizing routes, establishing budget requirements, and producing anticipated construction estimates. Detailed engineering design packages are produced that include data from field surveys, make-ready assessments, detailed route analysis, and facility entry requirements. The detailed engineering design packages are then used to support the bid process to obtain construction resources for installation. TOP has supported the installation process of a pilot and one phase of construction and is preparing to go to the construction of the next phase of infrastructure installation.
Outside/Inside Plant Design and Implementation
Brooks Development Authority
TOP Engineers was involved with a multi-phase, multi-discipline, fast-paced effort for the renovation of two existing buildings to serve as a call center for an international company. This project involved both Outside Plant Design and Inside Plant Design.
TOP provided communications engineering, leadership, design, engineering design, construction, implementation, project management and construction management for the successful design, implementation and completion of this complex, integrated and challenging project. Through collaboration and creative problem solving, TOP was able to play a key role in moving the project forward to achieve the goals of Brooks.
TOP provided Outside Plant Design for the installation of connective pathways for intra-company data and inter-building management systems. TOP used its extensive knowledge of the Brooks underground system to properly survey, identify route and conduit options and document for future design use. Once the desired route was selected, TOP provided the survey, design, installation, testing and documentation of the fiber optic cables.
Inside Plant Design for the installation of structured wiring for data and telecom required the technical expertise necessary to properly design the low voltage structured wiring for Data and Telecom in a multi-disciplinary fast paced construction environment. TOP was responsible for consolidating the designs for other disciplines such as Security, Access Control, and Multi-media. Through collaboration and creative problem solving, TOP was able to play a key role in moving this project forward. Schedule constraints, changes between disciplines, and physical obstacles were evaluated and addressed in a timely manner to make sure that the client obtained the desired outcome. Standards compliance and adherence to common industry practices were key elements that TOP and their subcontractor, ADB/ZDTS, brought to the table. Registered Communications Distribution Designer certification and rigorous application of design and safety standards were integral to the effective implementation of this structured wiring project.