Accelerating Small-Cell Deployment with a Microwave Backhaul Service Layer

Accelerating Small-Cell Deployment with a Microwave Backhaul Service Layer

Kostas Ntagkounakis, PhDSenior Marketing Eng.

23.04.2013

© Intracom S.A. Telecom Solutions© Intracom S.A. Telecom Solutions

Small-Cell & Backhaul Service Layer

2

Macro-Cell Backhaul: Street-Level Perspective

Existing Macro-Cell Backhaul

Layer


Small-Cell & Backhaul Service Layer

3

Small-Cell Backhaul: Street-Level Perspective

Existing Macro-Cell Backhaul

Layer


Perceived as Attractive Candidate Solutions:

Sub 6 GHz, PtP/PtMP NLOS

60 GHz, PtP High Capacity, Unlicensed

Perceived as Macro-Cell Backhaul Oriented:

MW Technologies, PtP/PtMP

4

Small-Cell Backhaul: Wireless Solutions

The Myths & Value of Microwave

MW: Area-Licensed Spectrum (26/28/32/42 GHz)

© Intracom S.A. Telecom Solutions© Intracom S.A. Telecom Solutions5

MW Technology for Small-Cell Backhaul

PerceptionPerception

Has inappropriate form factor and shape

Has high consumption, and complex installation

300x300x285mm

RealityReality

Can have attractive shape & compact size

Benefits from existing, field-proven H/W and S/W

Brings innovations Antenna auto-alignment Zero-touch provisioning Low power consumption

265x145x166mm


MW Radio Capacity for Small-Cell Backhaul


Many channels, and complex techniques are required for sufficient throughput

MW spectrum is congested and expensive

RealityReality

There is plenty area licensed spectrum, with an attractive licensing scheme

Two channels are sufficient, for a Small-Cell Backhaul network

Links achieve up to 540 Mbit/s Full Duplex, which is future-proof for LTE Small-Cells

PtMP configuration can efficiently offer up to 2.2 Gbit/s, at aggregation sites


Link Planning for Small-Cell Backhaul


LOS is difficult to be achieved in reality

Requires complex RF planning

RealityReality

A Multipoint, multi-hop architecture extends to any location, maximizing the LOS connectivity

Pursuing LOS connectivity is best-practice as range, capacity and reliability are optimized!

Near LOS may be possible for small radio paths (i.e. link through vegetation)

RF planning procedure is very simple and known to operators (same as for macro-cell backhaul)


MW for Small-Cell Backhaul

MW Evolves with Significant Innovations for Small-Cell Backhaul

Macro-Cell Technology

Insufficient Performance

Complex RF Planning

MW Delivers LTE-Backhaul Grade Performance

MW Utilizes Simple, Proven Network Planning Procedures

PerceptionPerception RealityReality


Small-Cell Backhaul: A New Service Layer

New Service Layer, Greenfield Deployment,

Specifically for Small-Cells


Small-Cell Backhaul: The Microwave Solution

Accelerating Backhaul & Small-Cell Accelerating Backhaul & Small-Cell DeploymentDeployment


The Value of Area-Licensed MW Spectrum

Plenty of Regulated, Uncongested Spectrum:

26 GHz: 1762 MHz

28 GHz: 1232 MHz

32 GHz: 1568 MHz

42 GHz: 2000 MHz

Superior Performance:

Less affected by multipath, (vs. sub 6 GHz)

Less affected by rain, (vs. 60 GHz)

Higher Practical Value:

Regulated, clean spectrum

Contiguous spectrum facilitates optimized RF planning

Area license fee, independent of links number (fixed expense)

Greatly simplifies licensing logistics

6.5 GHz Bandwidth


Highly uncorrelated backhaul layers!

Cross-layer radio signals are blocked or absorbed

Re-Use the same spectrum (i.e. 28 GHz) &

freq. channels, with minor, coordinated RF

Planning

Macro-Cell & Small-Cell Backhaul: Co-Existence in the same Spectrum


Any Architecture Microwave Solution

The solution supports any type of PtP connectivity

Realizes Any Network Architecture: Multi-hop, Relay Extensions, PtP Rings

MW units can be also configured as PtMP, for optimized connectivity


Reaching Any Location: Multipoint Extensions

i.e. PtP PtMP Relay:

Extends reach to the “hidden” Small-Cells, efficiently

Buildings may obstruct direct LOS links between adjacent mall-Cells

Multipoint Nodes Efficiently Extend Connectivity Along the Street Canyons

Multipoint Nodes:

Realize multihop PtP and/or PtMP connectivity


Street-level Multipoint Extensions

Flexible, Scalable, Easy-to-Deploy ArchitectureFlexible, Scalable, Easy-to-Deploy Architecture

Fiber

Small-Cell

PtMP 1st Hop

Small-Cell

PtP 2nd Hop

PtMP 1st Hop

PtMP 2nd Hop

PtP 3rd Hop


Raising The Value of Multipoint Connectivity

Software Defined Radio is a Key Component for Realizing Efficient Multipoint Extensions

Software Define Radio efficiently realizes different connectivity roles:

PtMP Hub, PtMP Terminal, PtP Unit

Multipoint Nodes:

A single unit (system) realizes:

PtP or PtMP functionality

A common radio greatly facilitates: RF planning, network design, equipment deployment, and operations


Connecting Small-Cells Optimally: PtMP

Adopting PtMP Connectivity Greatly Reduces the Equipment BoQ & Footprint

PtMP Value:N+1 Units for N LinksOnly 2 Units on Aggregation Lamppost

PtMP Value:Single Channel per Aggregation Point (Hub)Dynamic Bandwidth AllocationCentralized QoS

PtMP Value:

New Links Require only Terminal Installation


MW & LOS Performance Certainty

MW LOS Performance:

Carrier-Grade, 99.99% Availability, Max Capacity (1024 QAM)

NLOS Planning:

i)Statistical Link Gainii)Unknown Interference

Uncertain, varying, unreliable performance

MW Deterministic Planning Guarantees “Deploy-&-Forget”

Performance

MW LOS Planning:

Deterministic planning delivers predictable results

Intelligent mechanisms can mitigate the street-level multipath effects


Terrain clutter blocks Interfering Paths and absorbs Multipath No Interference!

Terrain clutter blocks Interfering Paths and absorbs Multipath No Interference!

Clutter Absorbs MW Co-Channel Interference

F1 Channel

PtMP Tx @ F1

PtMP Tx @ F1

TS Rx @ F1

F1 Channel

TS Rx @ F1

Blocked Interfe

ring Path

Blocked Interfering Path


Very simple RF Planning, Street by Street Frequency Re-Use, Only Two Channels Required

Very simple RF Planning, Street by Street Frequency Re-Use, Only Two Channels Required

Simple, 2 Channels Frequency Re-Use

F1 Channel

F1 Channel

F2 Channel

F2 Channel

F2 Channel


Intelligent Microwave

Auto-Alignment:

i) Simplifies unit mountingii)Minimizes alignment time / effortiii)Ensures optimum performance

Zero-Touch Provisioning:

i)Reduces installation timeii)Avoids configuration faultsiii)Reduces field personnel

Automation Facilitates Success in Few Simple Steps - No Further Visits

Real-Time Verification:

i) Ensures single-visit installation successii) Diminishes undetected fault conditions


Accelerating Small-Cells Deployment

Microwave-Multipoint:

Exploits High-Valued, yet Unutilized Area Licensed Spectrum

Simple Planning / Deploy-&-Forget / Assured Performance

Field Proven Technology / Carrier-Grade Backhaul Performance

Flexible PtMP/Relay/PtP Connectivity, Reaches Any Location, Efficiently

Automation: Alleviates Complexity, Avoids Fault Conditions


StreetNode™

A StreetNode™ demo is available at INTRACOM TELECOM stand. You are welcome!

Microwave: 26/ 28/ 32/ 42 GHz

Multipoint: PtMP & Relay PtMP & PtP

540 Mbit/s Full-Duplex, Carrier-Grade

Intelligent: Auto-Alignment, Zero-Touch Provisioning

Documents

Accelerating Small-Cell Deployment with a Microwave Backhaul Service Layer