The broadband network at Microsoft’s Silicon Valley Campus needed to serve a dual purpose. Primarily, the network was to provide high quality broadband service, similar to that provided by a typical Metropolitan Service Operator (MSO), to all tenants within the complex – irrespective of their business focus. At the same time the network needed to serve the Microsoft development and engineering community, including WebTV, whose work demanded augmented services including the creation of additional satellite distribution systems and “test bed” systems.
- Information Technology
- Converged Network
- Structured Cabling
- Security
- Wireless
- Audiovisual
RLS introduced a comprehensive solution that satisfied the technical requirements of the entire user population while ensuring that general users would be shielded from engineering/development induced “test” problems. At its completion, the Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus Broadband Network was comprised of a Standard CATV System, a Research & Development CATV System, two DSS L-Band Satellite Systems, three EchoStar L-Band Satellite Systems, and a Baseband Audio/Video System. The mammoth network boasted: 6,000 drops; an 80-foot high Rohn Tower for Off-Air Antennae and Microwave; a 24-transponder Simulsat Dish; two 3-meter C-band Dishes; a KU-band Dish; six L-Band Dishes; L-band, VHF, UHF, Microwave, CATV and local programming integration; and a headend the size of a data center.