At this year’s Connect(X), RF Industries introduced a new solution aimed at one of telecom’s persistent infrastructure pain points: inefficient, high-maintenance cooling at the network edge. The DualXchange DAC (Direct Air Cooling) ecosystem blends the simplicity of fresh-air cooling with the performance of heat exchange closed-loop recirculation and intelligent monitoring, offering a hybrid solution for walk-up and remote cabinet sites.
“DualXchange is not fully a DAC, and it’s not a heat exchanger—it’s both,” said Pedro Yarahuan, Director of Key Accounts at RF Industries. “We wanted a solution that was versatile enough to handle a variety of real-world operating conditions and challenges and efficient enough to deliver meaningful reductions in operational expenses.”
With traditional HVAC systems drawing up to 1.5 kilowatts per HVAC system, network operators face mounting energy bills and a dependence on licensed technicians for even basic service. Issues such as micro-cycling, temperature equalization between cabinet bays, and challenges installing mobile generators during outages are a priority when considering this technology. The DualXchange ecosystem can recirculate air, inhibit HVAC operation, and deliver 1,000 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of fresh air while consuming just 250 watts when needed, reducing energy costs and keeping cabinets operational even during power outages.
“We’ve already established ourselves in cooling using DAC for traditional wireless telecom applications, so we’ve got our eyes on involving DACs into a strategy that can support Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) carriers,” said Sri Arunachalam, Director of Product Line Management & Applications Engineering. “The hybrid ecosystem and generally DAC with lower energy consumption will naturally reduce the CO2 footprint.”
First Deployment with Metronet
As part of the Metronet trial, RF Industries DualXchange DAC’s sensor and monitoring solution collected information about the operational behavior and thermal dynamics of the site.
Above is an example dataset captured during the trial by the DAC controller, which provides key insights into environmental conditions, HVAC and DAC behavior, and power consumption.
The first commercial deployment of the DualXchange system is already live with Metronet, one of the largest independent fiber providers in the country, and PCMag’s Fastest Major ISP for 2024. The challenge: Metronet’s walk-up cabinets were cooled by mechanical, door-mounted HVAC units prone to failure during grid outages, causing overheating and service interruptions.
“The multi-bay operation does not have to be expensive or complex to work in the event of a commercial power loss (extended grid outage). That was the goal,” Yarahuan said. RF Industries collaborated with Metronet to develop an energy-efficient backup cooling system to extend site cooling backup time during outages using an environmental control platform based on DAC.
According to Arunachalam, the DualXchange DAC operates in a hybrid mode when controlling HVAC units, by recirculating air when temperatures are stable and introducing up to 1,000 CFM of fresh air to the enclosure when cooling is needed. DualXchange DAC controls the operation of up to three (3) HVACs and can inhibit them up until mechanical cooling is required. It features a NEMA 4-rated design, requires no licensed HVAC technician for maintenance, and includes sensors for monitoring temperature and power data for advanced analytics.
“We collaborated with MetroNet to enable the backup functionality, maintain operational temperatures during outages and provide the future potential to reduce energy consumption by up to 90% on their sites. They were very supportive toward our solution,” said Yarahuan. During an extensive field trial, DualXchange proved it could meet Metronet’s backup power needs. Metronet has ordered its first set of DualXchange DACs for initial commercial deployments across multiple states, with eventual adoption nationwide.
Built-In Intelligence
What sets DualXchange apart from passive cooling options is its monitoring and analytics suite. The ecosystem can gather and transmit real-time data about fan status, temperature fluctuations, HVAC runtime and temperature performance, and overall thermal ecosystem health. According to Arunachalam, “Data acquisition and the enablement of data analytics is a very powerful tool. We’re not just cooling the site, we’re learning how it behaves and providing meaningful information on preventative maintenance to reduce operational costs and minimize downtime.”
This data isn’t siloed, as it connects via RS-232 to site alarm blocks and Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), creating a foundation for IoT and/or AI-powered predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics. It allows operators to make informed decisions, such as identifying overworked HVAC units before they fail or analyzing trends to optimize filter usage.
“The sensors enable real-time site monitoring and data collection, allowing users to make informed decisions that reduce energy consumption and save money,” Arunachalam explained. “That’s part of the shift—not just in concept, but in execution.”
With most legacy HVAC systems offering little to no telemetry, this marks a significant evolution in network site management. As operators seek to scale efficiently and minimize environmental impact, data-rich solutions like DualXchange give them the tools to do both, said Yarahuan.
A Platform for the Future
RF Industries designed the DualXchange platform with adaptability in mind. The unit can be installed on most walk-up or multi-bay outdoor
cabinets and is engineered for easy servicing without specialized HVAC training. For customers with hundreds or thousands of sites, this simplicity is crucial.
Yarahuan emphasized the importance of helping operators focus on their core mission, “We are going to take the complexity off the customer’s plate. DualXchange is one of the ways we’re doing that, by delivering a solution that thinks ahead.”
RF Industries sees an opportunity to bring the benefits of DAC into new markets, including most of the FTTx broadband carrier needs, ILA (in-line amplifier) shelters, and fiber huts. With its scalable design and integrated analytics, the platform could play a role in decarbonizing the broader infrastructure ecosystem.
As Metronet’s case illustrates, even small sites can yield big gains when supported by smart cooling strategies. By combining air cooling, heat exchange, and real-time intelligence in a single platform, DualXchange offers a path forward for telecom and edge operators seeking sustainability without sacrificing performance.
To learn more, visit https://rfindustries.com/dualxchange-dac-provides-efficient-backup-cooling/.
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