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Point-to-point microwave solutions continue to play a critical role in providing backhaul for mobile networks globally, and this trend is not expected to change with the continuing rollout of larger and more advanced networks. The need to quickly and easily deploy reliable, economical, high-capacity transport presents a strong business case for microwave. This is not only applicable for mobile backhaul networks, but for many other segments, including private and enterprise networks, public safety and critical communications, as well as rural broadband connectivity initiatives.
Cada tanto el Departamento de Marketing de los fabricantes de radio de microondas X, Y o Z decide que es momento de hacer algunas olas en el mundo del backhaul inalámbrico de otra manera aburrido. Es una receta probada para llamar la atención es proclamar el record de performance de sus productos.
In the Microwave radio business, knocking down reach or capacity limits works best to turn heads, and that’s why we see quite a few claims to fame in those areas. Unfortunately, the majority of those “record-breaking” reach or capacity claims are misleading, and in fact no performance benchmarks are being shattered at all.
DragonWave has been delivering industry leading microwave backhaul systems to the industry for over fifteen years. DragonWave has more than 2,000 end customers in over 150 countries, and has delivered over 500,000 radios globally, and planned or installed over 20,000 links. Most recently, the company announced a large network expansion with Sprint, orders from an Argentinian mobile operator, and DragonWave radios being selected for deployment in an Australian critical communications network. These announcements demonstrate
DragonWave’s broad portfolio that helps address mobile network requirements, fiber extension, small cell deployments and private networks. DragonWave’s solutions include the Avenue product line for small cell deployment, Harmony Enhanced, Harmony Eband, and the newest product taking the industry by storm, the Harmony EnhancedMC. DragonWave’s deep industry experience, global presence, professional services expertise, and broad industry-leading portfolio enable our customer networks to reach new heights.
The increase of mobile broadband service speeds enabled by LTE networks is exceptional compared with 2G and 3G networks; network evolution is sustained through the upgrade of the existing macro sites without needing to add a significant number of new sites. A new network layer of small cells and cloud RAN is starting to be added to the network to extend macro site coverage and increase per user service speeds. This new layer constitutes an important field for emerging Microwave technologies, and a new challenge for macro cell backhauling networks, as well.
Microwave, in fact, continues to be the most used technology for mobile backhaul after fiber, with characteristics of being the most cost-effective solution that brings immediate return on investment while meeting the performance requirements of LTE basestations.
Wireless public safety networks[1] are in a flux, driven by emerging user requirements and expectations, such as live bidirectional video streaming and the real-time uploading and downloading of high-resolution pictures. These high data rate services call for an air interface throughput that lies one or even two orders of magnitude beyond the modest 10-150 kbps service capability of the legacy Time Division Multiplex-based radio access and data backhaul architectures supporting the majority of today’s wireless public safety networks.
At the same time, while evolving towards multi-megabit-per-second throughputs, traditional values of public safety networks must be upheld. If remote and sparsely populated areas are to be illuminated with dependable service, service latency has to remain low and service availability needs to be exceptionally high. In addition, the network has to be both resilient against physical and cyberattacks or natural disasters and meet the highest standards in terms of network integrity and data confidentiality.
This article explains why the third generation of rugged, all-outdoor, high-capacity packet microwave radios is an ideal backhaul engine for wireless public safety networks. As a secondary goal, it will examine why LTE[2] stands a good chance of powering the air interface of broadband-enabled wireless public safety networks.
[1] Also referred to as Emergency Service Networks or ESNs.
[2] Long Term Evolution as standardized by 3GPP, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project.