Mobile and fixed broadband network operators, ISPs/ WISPs as well as other, non-telco, organizations (enterprises, utilities, industrial and governmental organizations etc), are in need of cost-effective high-capacity transport systems that are easy to deploy and operate. When optical fiber connectivity is not available, easy to deploy or cost-efficient, multi-gigabit transport E-Band radio systems have proven to be a reliable alternative solution addressing the needs of today's data-driven networks.
Access broadband networks, both Mobile and Fixed, are undergoing a continuous transformation in terms of technology and architecture towards supporting ever higher end user service rates. In particular, Mobile network capacity and density increase dramatically, while different architectural RAN options, such as Centralized RAN, emerge as a means of increasing the network capacity and efficiency via coordination and resource virtualization and pooling. Mobile broadband network operators need to cope with higher capacity, multi-generational technology (GSM, HSPA/HSPA+, LTE, LTE-A, 5G) Base Stations deployed in an ever-increasing density macro-cell layer and in an ultra-dense small-cell layer.
UltraLink™-FX80 CN (Compact Node) is an all-outdoor PtP radio operating in the entire E-Band spectrum (71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz).
Offering leading RF system gain, rich Carrier Ethernet networking functionality, advanced frequency/phase synchronization features and low latency it ideally satisfies the service requirements for data transport applications up to 3 Gbit/s in both Mobile or Fixed broadband access networks.
Typical applications for UltraLink™-FX80 CN include: Mobile RAN backhaul, midhaul, fronthaul in urban and suburban areas, Fixed access network backhaul, enterprise/university campus building connectivity, shipping port area communications systems, public service network connectivity, WiFi hotspot backhaul and fiber backup links to name a few.
UltraLink™-FX80 CN offers a number of high-value features:
The field-tested UltraLink™-FX80 CN incorporates a new generation of RF transceiver technology which, combined with INTRACOM TELECOM's top-of-the-line modem technology, provide high transmit power and receiver sensitivity. Offering system gain over 100 dB (without antenna), and over 200 dB with antennas, UltraLink™-FX80 CN radios push the range capability of E-Band radios to new highs. Furthermore, UltraLink™-FX80 CN's hitless adaptive modulation features enable high link robustness and allow the deployment of high availability links with small form factor antennas that respect the city environment and minimize tower rental costs. Intelligent combination of state-of-the-art LDPC and Reed-Solomon FEC schemes maximizes receiver sensitivity at a minimum cost to transport efficiency. The robust 9-level Hitless Adaptive Modulation and Coding, controlled effectively by both receiver SNR and FEC metrics, can provide up to 33dB of system gain improvement to enable continuous link operation under adverse rain precipitation conditions.
UltraLink™-FX80 CN's 3 Gbit/s capacity is achieved by combining an industry-high spectral efficiency achieved via up to 512-QAM modulation in a 500 MHz-wide channel. UltraLink™-FX80 CN also supports channel sizes of 62.5 MHz, 125MHz and 250MHz, enabling high capacity at minimum channel size. In particular, 500 Mbit/s / 1 Gbit/s and 2 Gbit/s can be achieved at 62.5 / 125 and 250 MHz channel sizes respectively via 1024-QAM modulation.
High spectral efficiency enables the use of narrower channels to achieve a particular capacity, which can incur reduced license fees in countries where radio operation in the E-Band is subject to a channel-size related license fee. Using narrower channels also increases the number of available channel options, which allows for denser link deployments through the reduction of frequency reuse and facilitation of planning for interference management and mitigation.
The same radio unit can be configured to operate in Ethernet Bridging or CPRI transport mode for providing CPRI fronthaul. UltraLink™-FX80 CN incorporates a fully-featured, 3 x GbE Provider Bridge (IEEE 802.1ad), which offers flexibility in delivering external Carrier Ethernet services over complex network topologies, such as tree or ring, deployed without the need for additional switching devices. This allows faster and easier deployments that are more manageable and cost-efficient. UltraLink™-FX80 CN can also support transport of Radio over Ethernet (RoE) fronthaul traffic based on IEEE 802.1CM Profile A.
Additionally, UltraLink™-FX80 CN supports a SW-configurable native CPRI transport mode (CPRI Options 2 and 3). When operating in this mode the radio can support a native CPRI traffic stream and provide operators the cost-efficient fronthaul transport needed to extend the reach of their C-RAN network wherever fiber is not available and wherever fiber deployment is financially prohibitive.
Support of Ethernet Service OAM and Performance Monitoring based on IEEE 802.1ag / ITU-T Y.1731 and Ethernet Link OAM based on IEEE 802.1ah enables Carrier Ethernet network operators to monitor and troubleshoot their services by using standardized tools and techniques. Service parameters, such as percentage of lost frames, delay and delay variation, may also be monitored in the context of service performance validation. Connectivity of specific links and/or end-to-end Metro Ethernet services may be continuously monitored. Upon detection of service disruption, standards-based fault localization tools may be utilized to quickly pinpoint the fault location.
UltraLink™-FX80 CN offers per-service flow QoS treatment of the transported traffic based on L1, L2 and L3 classifiers. Strict Priority (SP), Weighted Round Robin (WRR), Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ) and Hybrid SP+WRR/WFQ scheduling schemes may be configured to be applied to eight CoS / queues to enable the most suitable prioritization treatment for management traffic and various classes of user-plane traffic. Ingress policing and egress shaping are applied to the incoming / outgoing service flows allowing the definition and conformance of services to the desired SLA characteristics. Colour-aware Tail drop or WRED can be configured to be applied as a means to manage potential queue congestion. Furthermore, Hierarchical QoS is also supported to enable a more precise and fine-grained control of multiple traffic streams / services served by an interface.
As an advanced packet radio platform, which is designed to fully satisfy mobile network backhaul applications UltraLink™-FX80 CN supports a full range of synchronization methods. Gigabit Ethernet interfaces support Standards-based Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) frequency synchronization distribution as well as the associated ESMC signaling channel. Furthermore, Precision Timing Protocol (IEEE 1588v2) Transparent Clock and Boundary Clock (T-BC) / (ITU-T 8275.1 profile) functionality is supported for the delivery of frequency and phase synchronization deemed necessary in case Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals are unavailable.
The Radio Link Quality Monitoring (RLQM) tool functionality is embedded in the UltraLink™-FX80 CN radio element. It monitors the propagation channel dynamics and automatically identifies possible radio channel related problems. It helps determine link degradation causes such as: rain, pole structural instability, radio interference, etc. It allows to remotely and quickly identify and verify the cause of a link quality problem without onsite support staff presence or additional measurement equipment, improving the network manageability and availability by expediting the detection and resolution of a link quality problem. Thus, it increases the overall network quality and services availability and reduces the network operating costs and lost service revenues.
The Radio Link Quality Monitoring tool offers the following functionality:
Spectrum analyzer and frequency band auto-scanning features included in the RLQM tool can further assist in the cause analysis as well as prove very useful at the link commissioning phase for the identification of interference from other active links. This feature can be used on a per radio basis or be combined with the appropriate uniMS™ add-on module to enable network wide monitoring of the radio quality conditions of the installed links.
UltraLink™-FX80 CN are compact, zero-footprint, all-outdoor system that require minimal deployment space and can be adapted to suit many different types of installation locations. The UltraLink™-FX80 CN ODU weighs no more than 2.7 kg and can be combined with a range of antenna types that suit different link ranges and applications. Flat antenna or 20cm parabolic antenna options minimize the overall size and visual impact of the deployment for relatively shorter links, while 30 and 60 cm parabolic antenna options are available for longer range links.
UltraLink™-FX80 CN come with high powering flexibility as they offer Direct DC, Direct AC or PoE options. In particular, direct AC power feed without external PoE or AC/DC converter devices enables more cost-effective, quicker deployments particularly at non-telco environments (commercial, residential, street-level etc).
Wherever high-capacity Ethernet connectivity over a city-scale range is required, UltraLink™-FX80 CN provides the lowest-cost, technically-complete solution for a myriad of connectivity applications and a variety of organizations.
Electricity, water and other utility companies can deploy UltraLink™-FX80 CN in their plants, distribution stations and office locations to:
Port authorities can deploy UltraLink™-FX80 CN to satisfy connectivity needs among:
UltraLink™-FX80 CN can be used to interconnect public buildings in municipal areas and cities. City halls, police headquarters, hospitals, schools and other buildings can converge on the same high-speed network infrastructure to enhance governance efficacy and efficiency.
University campuses and hospitals with multi-building sites can take advantage of UltraLink™-FX80 CN to cost-effectively and rapidly deploy high-bandwidth links to:
Large businesses with multi-building plants, storage depots or office facilities expanding in large areas, can deploy UltraLink™-FX80 CN to enable Gigabit LAN connectivity for enhancing their transaction automation, control, productivity and security.