Microwave Radio: SONET/SDH and mm-Wave

Abstract

This report researches technologies and markets for SONET/SDH and high-frequency (60 GHz and E-band) microwave radio. It concentrates on subjects related to these radios benefits, technical details, markets and applications. Though utilized often in different applications and markets, these microwave radios allow sustaining high-speed reliable communications, and are used as alternative to fiber optics.

Despite early predictions, SONET/SDH still prevails in fiber optics transmission as a major standard. Microwave radio that is able to carry SONET/SDH signals format is the logical extension or substitution of fiber optic communications in cases when:

Terrain and other factors preclude fiber placement Economics of a project dictate use of microwave technologies instead of fiber optics systems.

The SONET/SDH microwave radio market is active and became stable if compared with the telecom market after depression of 2000-2003. Stability of the utility industry and tighter requirements on network characteristics in the financial world contribute to the fact that this market not only survived, but also continue to grow. The report analyzes technology specifics and market properties of these radios as well as portfolios of major manufacturers.

mm-Wave radios experience the “second life” due to their benefits and regulations that have recently opened relatively large windows of spectrum for their use.

• The radio spectrum at very high frequencies is still rather undeveloped, and therefore more radio spectrum with wider bandwidths is available at these frequencies;
• The system capacity is higher at very high frequencies because the range of radio signals is limited, resulting in smaller cells. Therefore the same frequency can be reused at shorter distances;
• The inherent security and privacy is better at very high frequencies because of the limited range and the relatively narrow beam widths that can be achieved;
• The spatial resolution is better at very high frequencies;
• It is easy to realize Gb/s transmission;

The physical size of antennas at very high frequencies is small and it becomes practical to build complex antenna arrays and/or further integrate them.

The interest in these technologies was also sparked by decisions of regulatory agencies around the globe to release and regulate vast volumes of spectrum; and the progress in the chips design that made it possible to produce high-frequency IC with relatively low cost.

60 GHz radio and E-band radio, though belong to the same class of millimeter-wave devices, have different properties; these properties are determining applications. Two main applications for 60 GHz radio were emphasized: a) Fixed Wireless, and b) WPAN. The technology improvements and demand for wireless applications (particular, with increased use of HDTV), work of standard organizations (such as IEEE and ETSI) as well as contributions from such companies like IBM and Motorola are helping with this radio commercialization. For E-band radio, the authors analyzed commercial applications, technology specifics and market specifics as well as the standards development activity.

Considerable research was done using the Internet. Information from various Web sites was studied and analyzed. Evaluation of publicly available marketing and technical publications was conducted. Telephone conversations and interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives. In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.

The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the information content.

This report is useful for technical staff of IT departments in various industries, such as financial, education, health care and other. It helps them to better understand the specifics of microwave transmission and benefits that microwave technology can bring to their communications needs. For vendors of microwave radio, the report analyzes the competitive landscape of microwave radio developments.