aoptix mobile backhaul solution brief

2014 AOptix Technologies | Doc#XXXXXXXXXX www.aoptix.com Page 1 of 7 3001140836

Solving the 4G/LTE & 5G Backhaul Dilemma

Mobile network operators are in a race to expand existing network capacity and

coverage to meet the growing demand of bandwidth-hungry end users. As 4G/LTE

capabilities are added to todays 2G/3G networks, Macro Cell backhaul and aggregation network

requirements are rapidly rising from megabits-per-second into the gigabits-per-second capacity range. Fiber

penetration rates to cell sites remain low, and deploying new fiber is cost-prohibitive, logistically difficult, and time-consuming.

AOptix Intellimax completely re-creates the economics and timeline for expanding mobile network infrastructures by shrinking the total cost of

ownership with the lowest cost per gigabit in the industry.

Service Providers desperately

need innovative solutions to

address backhaul capacity

issues, particularly at the Macro

Cell and aggregate-backhaul

levels. Fiber is costly and not

feasible at all locations, and

legacy wireless solutions are

hitting critical limitations for

capacity and performance.

AOptixs high capacity wireless

solution is a true fiber alternative

that provides advantages both in

cost and speed of deployment for

mobile backhaul. Using first-of-

its-kind Laser Radio Technology,

the AOptix Intellimax completely

re-creates the economics and

timeline for expanding mobile

network infrastructures.

Key BenefitsCapacity: 2 Gbps with roadmap to 10 Gbps and beyond

Availability: Carrier-Grade in all weather conditions

Speed & Flexibility: Rapidly deploy on any tower or structure

Lowest TCO: Typical ROI of 9 to 12 months compared to fiber

Distance: Up to 8 km per link, unlimited in repeater mode

The Challenge The Solution

Intellimax MB2000

APPLICATION BRIEF

Mobile Backhaul


AOptix Intellimax can be deployed on any tower or structure, greatly simplifying network planning. Service providers can gain tremendous savings compared to leased lines or constructed fiber circuits, while maintaining complete control of their network.

AOptix Intellimax delivers these advantages through the use of a new technology called Laser Radio Technology (LRT). This technology is the first of its kind, combining Extended Range Optics (ERO) with Advanced Millimeter Wave RF (AMW) into a wireless solution that delivers the high performance previously only found in optical fiber solutions.

THE REQUIREMENTS OF 4G/LTE & 5G MOBILE BACKHAUL

In todays 4G/LTE wireless networks, there are many cell site topologies, configurations, and sizes, each with a specific set of capacity and performance needs. As we enter into the era of LTE-Advanced, single cell sites will start to need capacities of 1 Gbps and greater as a baseline capacity. And with 5G looming on the horizon, carriers are immediately recognizing the need to plan for backhaul capacity growth beyond 1 Gbps.

Figure 2 below shows several commonly seen 4G/LTE network topologies, including important aggregation points. In this Application Brief, 4G/LTE backhaul needs are broken down into three capacity-based categories: Small Cell backhaul (up to 500 Mbps), Macro Cell/Macro Cell Aggregation backhaul (500 Mbps - 2 Gbps), and Super-Macro Cell backhaul (1 Gbps-10 Gbps). This brief focuses specifically on the needs of the two larger categories: Macro Cell and

Figure 2: Capacity needs of common 4G/LTE network topologies and aggregation points

Figure 1: AOptix deployed for mobile backhaul

SERVICE PROVIDER 4G/LTE MOBILE BACKHAUL

MACRO CELLAGGREGATIONBACKHAUL

SMALL CELLAGGREGATIONBACKHAUL

Small Cell less than 500 Mbps

4G/LTE Mobile Backhaul

SUPERMACRO CELLBACKHAUL

CORENETWORK

Super Macro Cell 1 Gbps 10 Gbps

MACRO CELLBACKHAUL

Macro Cell500 Mbps 2 Gbps

EXISTINGFIBER RING

SUPERMACRO CELLBACKHAUL

MACRO CELLAGGREGATIONBACKHAUL

SMALL CELLAGGREGATIONBACKHAUL

MACRO CELLBACKHAUL

Mobile Backhaul Application Brief


Super-Macro Cell backhaul. When top tier Service Providers and key telecom analysts are polled on the critical decision points for Macro Cell backhaul, there are six requirements consistently identified as non-negotiable. As detailed in the table below, these requirements are: Capacity, Distance, Performance/Availability, Speed of Deployment, Flexibility, and Cost.

CAPACITY

DISTANCE

PERFORMANCE& AVAILABILITY

SPEED OFDEPLOYMENT

FLEXIBILITY

TOTAL COST OFOWNERSHIP

TOP SIX REQUIREMENTS FOR 4G/LTE BACKHAUL

AOptix Intellimax delivers a full 2 Gbps of data CIR(Committed Information Rate), full duplex.

Does not use on rate-adaption or compression Sends/Receives 2Gbps regardless of inclement weather or variations in data content.

4G/LTE + 5G Capacities

AOptix Intellimax covers up to 8 kilometers per link. Unlimited distances using multi-hop repeater mode. Link distance/availability combinations are precisely engi-neered to the unique needs of the network

AOptix Intellimax delivers carrier-grade availability up to 8 kilometers

Performs in fog, rain, snow, heavy wind, and other severe weather conditions at BER less than 10-9

AOptix Intellimax can be deployed on any type of tower or structure, enabling extreme flexibility in site selection.

Deploys on a mobile platform (COW) in a matter of hours Compensates up to 3 degrees of twist and sway caused by heavy wind, ground vibrations or extreme weather.

Point-Acquire-Track (PAT) automatic software alignment feature enables the AOptix Intellimax unit to be aligned, and fully functional within a matter of minutes.

PAT significantly reduces installation costs.

AOptix Intellimax delivers Typical ROI of 6 to 9 months as compared to trenching for new Fiber.

Typical ROI of 9 to 12 months as compared to leasing Fiber from incumbent provider.

MACRO 500 Mbps - 2 Gbps

SUPER MACRO1 Gbps - 10 Gbps

AVERAGE DISTANCE

1 km to 8 km

BER LESS THAN 10-9

RAPID DEPLOYMENT

LOW COSTINSTALLATION

Fast & Simple Deployment

UP TO 5 9S AVAILABILITYUP TO 5 9S AVAILABILITY

3

TOWER FLEXIBLEMONOPOLESMOBILE

PLATFORM BUILDING

LOWESTCOST-PER-BIT

FASTEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT

1

2

3

4

5

6

0 0 1 0 1 10 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 00 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 10 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 10 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 10 1 0 1 0 1

0 0 1 0 1 10 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 00 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 10 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 10 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1

0 1 0 1 0 1

BER LESS THAN 10-6

SERVICE PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS INTELLIMAX CAPABILITIESSERVICE PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS



TOP FOUR OPTIONS FOR 4G/LTE & 5G MOBILE BACKHAUL

Driven by LTE-Advanced, todays Macro Cell and

Macro Cell aggregation backhaul needs are starting

to require capacities of 1 Gbps and greater. Just

a handful of technology solutions meet these

requirements, and each option offers a unique

combination of cost, capacity, and performance.

The top four solutions include traditional industry

technologies such as fiber, microwave, and

millimeter wave, as well as the next-generation

technology called Laser Radio Technology (LRT).

Each of these four technologies address a segment

of the overall backhaul solutions needs (see insets

at the right for the pros and cons of each solution).

Fiber is the preferred choice for routes where

logistics are manageable, capacity need is high,

and the potential revenue gain offsets the excessive

costs associated with fiber. Laser Radio Technology

(LRT) addresses backhaul environments where high

capacity, carrier-grade reliability, rapid deployment,

and strong ROI are all critical for success.

Microwave makes sense for lower capacity long-

distance (greater than 10km) runs where fiber is

either logistically or economically infeasible. Legacy

Millimeter wave is mostly used in the subset of

short-distance applications where the deployment

environment can tolerate rain-fade impacts.

Figure 3: AOptix Intellimax delivers 2 Gbps Constant Information Rate

Laser Radio Technology is the optimal backhaul solution for 4G/LTE Macro and Super-Macro Cell backhaul links, especially when fiber is costly or not accessible. Laser Radio Technology is currently found only in the AOptix Intellimax product, and delivers 2 Gbps constant data rate in all weather conditions at carrier-grade availability. A single link can range up to 8 km, and can reach unlimited distances when joined together in a multi-hop configuration. Laser Radio technology provides rapid return on investment compared to trenching new fiber connections in urban areas (typically 6-9 months), and compared to leasing fiber (typically 9-12 months). Laser Radio is based on technology first created for military applications, and has been field-proven in heavy rain, fog, wind, snow, and other extreme weather conditions.

Laser Radio Technology (LRT)

Fiber can be a good backhaul solution from a capacity and performance standpoint. However, it is also by far the most expensive, difficult to deploy, and time-intensive. Typical capex associated with installing new fiber ranges from $450k-$900k per mile in dense urban areas. Long lead-times due to acquiring permits and lengthy construction for trenching also make new fiber installation an unattractive solution. Alternatively, fiber can be leased from incumbent providers, however these services typically run in the $5k-$10k per Gbps/mo opex range, and can be much higher. Additionally, leased fiber is available at cell sites less than 50% of the time.

Optical Fiber (New & Leased)

Although traditional microwave (MW) has played an important role in backhaul for 2G and 3G, the demands of 4G/LTE exceed its capability. Some microwave vendors today claim to be able to deliver up to 2 Gbps, but this is actually only achieved by sacrificing distance and availability. In order to scale beyond 350 Mbps in traditional microwave bands, it is necessary to transmit multiple signals using multiple RF channels. Each channel requires additional electronics and spectrum licenses, making it difficult to achieve economies of scale. Attempting to deploy multiple microwave dishes to increase capacity leads to major interference issues, in addition to scaling challenges.

Microwave RF (3-30 GHz)

Traditional millimeter wave RF ( also called E-band) can be useful in the Small Cell backhaul segment of the wireless backhaul network topology (see Figure 2), but does not have the combination of capacity, distance, and availability needed to be successful for Macro Cell backhaul. Rain-fade and rate adaption are the main challenges that keep MMW from being a viable solution beyond 1 Gbps. Beam-alignment is another major issue; the pencil-width beams needed to deliver higher capacity links dictate that units can only be deployed on stable structures, greatly reducing network planning flexibility.

Millimeter Wave RF (60/80 GHz)



CHOOSING THE OPTIMAL BACKHAUL SOLUTION

To make a decision on the best mobile backhaul solution for 4G/LTE Macro Cell backhaul, the choice always comes

back to the six critical requirements identified by Service Providers: Capacity, Distance, Performance/Availability, Speed of Deployment, Flexibility, and Cost. As discussed previously, Macro Cell backhaul solutions need consistent data rates of at least 500 Mbps - 2 Gbps, with the ability to scale to greater capacities as network needs grow. Traditional microwave and millimeter wave (e-band) simply cannot provide constant data rates for these capacities at carrier-grade

availability. The Decision Matrix below (Figure 4) gives a clear view of how the top four backhaul technologies match up

to the Critical Six main requirements for Macro Cell backhaul.

WHAT IS LASER RADIO TECHNOLOGY?

Developed by AOptix, Laser Radio Technology (LRT) is the first of its kind in the wireless industry. This technology combines extended range optics (infrared-frequency based technology) with an advanced form of millimeter wave RF (radio-frequency based technology) in a way never previously possible. Laser Radio Technology transmits redundant information over the two diverse frequencies and then utilizes advanced algorithms at the receiving end to composite the data from the two frequencies in real time. These two outputs are fused at the byte level to yield an error-free Figure 5: AOptix delivers Carrier-Grade Performance in Fog

Figure 4: Decision Matrix for Macro Cell and Aggregate Level (greater than 1 Gbps) Wireless Backhaul

AOPTIXINTELLIMAX

Rapid ROIfast deployment

BEST

LASER RADIOTECHNOLOGY

REQUIREMENTS

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

CAPACITY

TYPE

DISTANCE

PERFORMANCE& AVAILABILITY

SPEED OFDEPLOYMENT

FLEXIBILITY

TOTAL COST OFOWNERSHIP

Decision Matrix for 4G/LTE Mobile Backhaul

(260 Mbps)

(2 km max)

(Buildings only)

POOR POOR MODERATE GOODTrenching permits

needed, andhigh up-frontinvestment

Significant OPEXcost for major

carriers

Limited spectrumavailability

Severe distancelimitations due to

rain fade

NEW FIBER LEASED FIBER MICROWAVE MILLIMETERWAVEFIBER BASED WIRELESS

1

2

3

4

5

6

N/A



signal, as depicted in Figure 6. This results in a system performance that is greater than the sum of its parts, yielding bit error rates comparable to fiber performance.

Traditional wireless technologies have inherent weaknesses in inclement weather due to specific frequency susceptibilities. AOptixs breakthrough innovation was to merge together diverse yet complementary technologies to create a completely new type of wireless: Laser Radio Technology. LRT delivers far greater performance than the

stand-alone component technologies could ever provide on their own, and Laser Radio has been proven in multiple

field deployments to successfully withstand rain, fog, wind, and other extreme weather scenarios that would cause

legacy wireless solutions to fail.

THE SOLUTION FOR 4G/LTE BACKHAUL

Ultimately, the choice of a mobile backhaul solution

is always based on the needs at the critical

aggregation points in a service providers network.

For the vast majority of Macro Cell wireless backhaul,

this comes down to a decision between trenching

for new fiber, leasing existing fiber, or deploying

a wireless solution, whether thats microwave,

millimeter wave, or Laser Radio technology.

Figure 6: Conceptual Description of Laser Radio Technology

Tx TRANSMISSION Rx RECEIVER

LASER RADIO TECHNOLOGY (LRT)

ADVANCED WAVELENGTH DIVERSITYMerges the data streams from Extended Range Optics and Advanced Millimeter Wave transmissions at the byte level

using Dynamic Packet Resourcing (DPR) technology.

Dynamic Packet

Resourcing Advanced Millimeter Wave(AMW)Expands the link budget of traditional Millimeter Wave by

creating a tightly-steered version using Active Beam Steering (ABS) technology.

Redundant 2 Gbps DataTransmissionThrough Air

MILLIMETER WAVE

ADVANCED BEAM STEERING

2 GbpsREDUNDANT

SIGNAL

1

RESULT: LASER RADIO TECHNOLOGYThe combined data stream generates an error-free wireless signal that can withstand fog, rain, high

winds, snow, and other extreme weather.

2GbpsDATA IN

Extended Range Optics (ERO)Leverages the power of astronomy-based Adaptive Optics

to improve traditional Free Space Optics through real-time atmospheric correction.

ADAPTIVE OPTICS

FREE SPACE OPTICS

2 GbpsREDUNDANT

SIGNAL

2GbpsERROR FREE DATA



Contact UsAOptix Technologies, Inc675 Campbell Technology ParkwayCampbell, CA 95008(408) [email protected]

About AOptixAOptix Technologies Inc. is transforming wireless communications with ultra-high capacity wireless technology that delivers an unprecedented combination of bandwidth, availability and distance. AOptix unlocks new market opportunities for service providers and enterprises, enabling diverse applications such as mobile backhaul, fiber diversity, fiber extension, disaster recovery, and enterprise last-mile solutions. AOptix is a privately held company based in Campbell, California.

When carrier-grade availability is non-negotiable, high-capacity is demanded, and fiber is too expensive or unavailable, Laser Radio technology provided by the AOptix Intellimax is the optimal solution for the needs of 4G/LTE backhaul.

The AOptix high capacity wireless solution is a true fiber alternative that provides advantages both in cost and speed of deployment. AOptixs Intellimax can be deployed far more rapidly than fiber, and provides a return on investment between 6 to 12 months compared to trenching or leasing urban fiber connections. Additionally, AOptix Intellimax enables the flexibility to deploy on any tower or structure, greatly simplifying site identification and network planning.

Consider how these capabilities can transform your network and business. With AOptix Intellimax, you can gain tremendous savings compared to leased lines or constructed fiber circuits, while maintaining complete control of your network. Contact us today to learn more about how AOptix can solve your mobile backhaul challenge.

Figure 7: AOptix customer installation transmitting above the Chicago skyline


aoptix mobile backhaul solution brief

Documents

existing network capacity

capacity range

glte network topologies

capacity issues

baseline capacity

capacity growth

aoptix intellimax

mobile network infrastructures