TECHNOLOGY

High-Bandwidth Wireless Ethernet Transport

In light of growing user demand for mobile data services, and with an understanding that TDM-based microwave systems are inefficient for transporting packet-based traffic, network operators and telecommunications providers are migrating to native packet microwave systems. These systems use native packet air interfaces, offering superior bursty traffic support and significantly better bandwidth efficiency, processing even more traffic with less bandwidth.

E-Band – the "Next Generation Wireless Backhaul Spectrum"

The 6-38 GHz frequency spectrum, most commonly used for backhaul, is becoming increasingly congested, particularly in dense urban areas. Moreover, due to high demand, the maximum allocated channel bandwidth in this frequency spectrum does not exceed 56 MHz, and – even with high-order modulation schemes such as 256 QAM - enables maximum effective link capacity of only 350-500 Mbps.

Today, as operators need more and more bandwidth, they are turning to new frequency spectrums to lower their wireless backhaul costs. The newly allocated E-Band spectrum (71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz) has clear technological and economic advantages. The 13 GHz allocated in this spectrum allows multi-gigabit per second capacities far exceeding the 6-38 GHz bandwidth-limited frequencies.

In the E-Band spectrum, wireless systems can utilize the significantly larger allocated spectrum and channels to deliver multi-gigabit data rates. This enables a simple, robust, and low-cost modem and radio design. Thus, E-Band, milimetric-wave wireless systems provide significant cost advantages over 6-38 GHz wireless systems - allowing scaling capacity to Gigabit capacities, without additional radio equipment and licensing fees.

Low Attenuation, Easy Licensing

Like any wireless system, E-Band system performance is also affected by environmental conditions including atmospheric attenuation and rain attenuation. However, between 70 GHz and 100 GHz there is a relatively low atmospheric attenuation window, making these frequencies attractive for high capacity wireless transmission. With regards to rain attenuation, under common weather conditions, E-Band wireless systems can achieve a link distance of a few kilometers with an availability of up to 99.999%.

E-Band wireless systems provide yet another advantage over lower frequency wireless systems - dramatically reduced frequency licensing costs. The nature of propagation in the E-Band and the possibility of employing directional “pencil beam” signal characteristics mean that links can be implemented with minimal interference concerns, allowing a potentially highly efficient re-use of the spectrum, thus, reducing co-ordination requirements allowing regulators to adopt the “light licensing” scheme. Regulators in the U.S. and the U.K. have adopted the “light licensing” approach with a 10-year license costing $75 per link in the U.S. and an annual license costing £50 per link in the U.K. The licenses are obtained using an on-line registration process, bringing down license acquisition time to just a few hours. With ETSI expected to finalize its recommendation for this spectrum during 2009, regulators worldwide will soon follow the FCC and Ofcom’s lead, allocating this spectrum in a similar manner.

Siklu in the E-Band Spectrum

Leveraging the advantages of the 71-76 GHz regulated E-Bands, Siklu’s carrier-grade EtherHaul products are ideal for the carrier mobile backhaul, for the enterprise, and for Ethernet service providers. EtherHaul offers a robust VLSI-integrated radio design, scalable capacities from 10 Mbps to 1Gbps on a pay-as-you-grow model and advanced networking capabilities at the lowest Total Cost of Ownership in the industry.

For providers seeking a viable alternative to last mile, out of wireline reach, Siklu offers easily-deployed, low-cost wireless solutions that deliver the Gigabit bandwidth that clients need. With EtherHaul solutions from Siklu, providers and enterprises avoid the expense of new fiber deployments, while simultaneously enjoying the inherent advantages of the E-Band spectrum.