JUN 2013 VOL. 15 ● NO. 3 ● ISSUE 146
A Universal Architecture for Small CMHK Partners with ZTE for LTE ZTE: Leading R&D on 100G 20 Cell Backhaul Radio 31 Microwave Backhaul Deployment 35 and Beyond
VIP Voices Movicel: We Are Delivering Superior Value to Our Customers An interview with Movicel CEO Yon Junior
Telefonica UK: Moving Beyond Traditional Services An interview with Peter Bailey, messaging and voice business manager, and Leon Veiro, LBS messaging architect of Telefonica UK
Special Topic: Microwave Backhaul A Flexible Unified Architecture for Point-to-Point Digital Microwave Radios
Tech Forum
Using Cloud Radio to Deliver Promises in the 4G Era ZTE TECHNOLOGIES Editorial Board CONTENTS Chairman: Pang Shengqing Vice Chairmen: Chen Jane, Zhao Xianming, Zhu Jinyun Members: Chen Jian, Feng Haizhou, Heng Yunjun, Huang Liqing, Huang Xinming, Jiang Hua, Li Aijun, Li Guangyong, Lin Rong, Li Weipu, Lu Ping, Lu Wei, Lv Abin, Sun Zhenge, Wang Shouchen, Wang Xiaoming, Wang Xiyu, Xin Shengli, Xu Ming, Ye Ce, Yu Yifang, Zhang Shizhuang
Sponsor: ZTE Corporation Movicel: Edited By Shenzhen Editorial Office, Strategy Planning Department Editor-in-Chief: Jiang Hua We Are Delivering Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Huang Xinming Editorial Director: Liu Yang Superior Value Executive Editor: Yue Lihua Editors: Jin Ping, Paul Sleswick to Our Customers Circulation Manager: Wang Pingping
Movicel is a leading mobile operator in Angola. Its networks cover 18 provinces all over the Angola. Today, one third of population is using Movicel’s voice or Editorial Office data services. ZTE Technologies recently interviewed Movicel CEO Yon Junior. Address: NO. 55, Hi-tech Road South, He talked about the cooperation with ZTE, the challenges of operating in Shenzhen, P.R.China Angola, and Movicel’s strategy. Postcode: 518075 Tel: +86-755-26775211 Fax: +86-755-26775217 Website: wwwen.zte.com.cn/en/about/ publications Email: [email protected] Telefonica UK: Moving Beyond A technical magazine that keeps Traditional Services up with the latest industry trends, communicates leading technologies Peter Bailey, messaging and voice business manager, and Leon Veiro, LBS and solutions, and shares stories of our messaging architect of Telefonica UK talked about Telefonica UK’s market customer success strategy and challenges in upgrading their network. They also shared their experience in LBS deployment and their views on the cooperation between Telefonica UK and ZTE.
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07 Movicel: We Are Delivering Superior Value to Our Customers Reporter: Yang Chunyu
10 Telefonica UK: Moving Beyond Traditional Services Reporter: Teli Mendhir
Tech Forum
13 Using Cloud Radio to Deliver Promises in the 4G Era By Zhu Xiaodong
Success Stories
28 Converged CS/IMS and IMS Hosting Solution Helps TAG Smoothly Implement VoLTE By Zhao Wenxian and Tu Jiashun
31 CMHK Partners with ZTE for LTE Microwave Backhaul Deployment By Li Lina
33 Zain: Winning the Future by Refarming Spectrum By Li Lanqing Special Topic: Microwave Backhaul
16 A Flexible Unified Architecture for Point-to-Point Digital Press Clipping Microwave Radios By Thanh Nguyen, Ying Shen and Andrey Kochetkov 35 ZTE: Leading R&D on 100G and Beyond 20 A Universal Architecture for Small Cell Backhaul Radio Source: Light Reading TV By Ying Shen and Ed Nealis
23 ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW for Intelligent Microwave Network Planning By Ren Haixia and Wang Yi Solution
25 Carrier-Class Ethernet Microwave: The Best Choice for Mobile Backhaul 37 Legacy Service Inheritance in VoLTE By Xu Changchun By Jiang Yonghu and Lu Wei
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ZTE Wins Telkom ZTE Passes 100 Million Unit Indonesia Four- Year IPTV Network Milestone in Broadband CPE Shipments Construction Contract 10 April 2013, S h e n z h e n ― by the end of 2012, the achievement ZTE announced that it has been cements ZTE’s place as a global leader in ranked No. 1 for both FTTH CPE fixed network operations and large-scale revenues and shipments for 2012 by FTTH applications. telecommunications market research firm Broadband proliferation and rapid Infonetics. internet development has led to a surge According to an Q4 2012 Infonetics in user demand in recent years. ZTE is market share and forecast report entitled, dedicated to cooperation with operators “Broadband CPE and Subscribers: PON, to provide home users with end-to- FTTH, Cable, and DSL,” ZTE ranked end service platforms, management No. 1 for both FTTH CPE revenue and platforms, access networks and home shipments in the past year, with a global terminals. The company’s products offer share of 19.8 percent and 30.9 percent, carrier-class QoS assurance, decrease 9 April 2013, Shenzhen ― ZTE respectively. ZTE also shipped more TCO, reduce energy consumption and has announced that it signed a four- than 100 million broadband CPE devices ensure superior user experiences. year IPTV network construction contract with Telkom Indonesia. According to the contract, ZTE will construct, operate, and maintain a low-bit-rate IPTV network for ZTE Wins Angola EDEL Smart Telkom from 2013 to 2016. ZTE will provide Telkom Indonesia with IPTV Electricity Meter Project system equipment including high definition (HD), standard definition 10 April 2013, Shenzhen ― ZTE power line carrier that supports remote (SD) and low bit rate devices, as well announced it has won a smart electric centralized meter reading. as set-top box (STB). On the systems meter turnkey project with Angola EDEL. “As a reliable partner of the electrical side, ZTE will operate, maintain, and Under the agreement, ZTE will power industry, ZTE provides complete host equipment, and provide end-to- provide complete smart meter solutions smart grid solutions,” said Wang Yiwen, end network optimization. to EDEL, including equipment, CTO of ZTE Government and Enterprise ZTE’s IPTV construction construction, personnel training and Network in the Middle East and Africa. model helps guarantee and develop OAM. ZTE’s customized smart meter “We are proud of the recent partnership IPTV multi-screen business at low solution supports multiple tariffs and with EDEL because it illustrates how bandwidth. FEC fast error correction has enriched functionality. It prevents ZTE’s technology is green, reliable, and and ARQ automatic retransmission electricity bill arrears, improves efficient.” request are used in packet loss management efficiency and reduces EDEL is responsible for electricity compensation for live broadcast and operational costs of manual meter distribution and supply in Angola’s video on-demand. reading. The ZTE communications capital, Luanda, and has a 65 percent module for this project includes a market share.
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ZTE Successfully ZTE’s IPTV Solution Wins Tests TD-LTE One- “Best Asian Service Platform Line Base Stations
of the Year” Award 9 April 2013, Shenzhen ― ZTE announced it has completed successful testing of its TD-LTE one-line base 10 April 2013, Shenzhen ― ZTE is technologies to our customers to enable stations solution. The base stations pleased to win the “Best Asian Service them to stay ahead of market trends. The are the industry’s first TD-LTE Platform of the Year” prize at the Broadband award will empower us to accelerate the commercial solution that supports an TV Connect Infovision Awards Asia development of superior IPTV solutions, LTE-advanced relay function, a key ceremony in Hong Kong. The company generating more value to customers step in commercial base station use clinched one of the world’s most authoritative globally with innovative concept and and global 4G development. prizes for broadband multimedia services for excellent delivery.” This new solution was tested by its innovative IPTV service platform solution The Broadband TV Connect Infovision the Guangzhou arm of China Mobile. for Jiangsu Telecom. The award followed Awards Asia ceremony, taking place Guangzhou has China’s largest TD- other top industry accolades earned by ZTE’s at the Broadband Asia & TV Connect LTE network and is home to extremely IPTV division. Asia conference in Hong Kong, rewards complex coverage scenarios that “We want to thank the Broadband outstanding technology solutions developed pose great challenges for networking. TV Connect Infovision Awards judging in broadband and connected entertainment ZTE tested its one-line base stations panel for this award,” said Fang Hui, services. The Broadband Asia conference is in three typical scenarios―a blind vice president at ZTE. “ZTE is dedicated part of the series of Broadband World Forum spot, outdoor covering indoor and to developing innovative multimedia (BBWF) events organized by the IEC and outdoor remote coverage. The test services and offering the most advanced mainstream operators around the world. data shows that deployment of the TD-LTE one-line base stations can improve performance on cell edges by 200 percent and edge coverage by 50 ZTE Gains No. 2 World Ranking for percent. The one-line base station solution WLANs Shipped has only one external power cord, baseband, RF, and an antenna unit in 24 April 2013, Shenzhen ― ZTE point” category at 12 percent after it a container that can be easily carried announced it has been ranked No. 2 shipped 1 million units during the year. by a single person. Its protection in the world in WLAN access point level is as high as IP65, which shipments. satisfies deployment outdoor scenario According to the March 19 Gartner- requirements. This solution reduces published, “Market Share: Enterprise energy consumption for network WLAN Equipment, Worldwide, 4Q12 coverage, helping operators build and 2012,” ZTE held No. 2 world market green TD-LTE networks. share in the WLAN “coordinated access
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company achieve a more optimal product and customer mix, and an improved ZTE First-Quarter Net Profit Rises cost structure. The company achieved 35.9% combined savings of RMB 350 million in selling, administration and research as Operational Review Drives Rebound costs in the first quarter compared with a year earlier. The results of the operational review, combined with the disposal gain, allowed the company to overcome the negative effects from currency fluctuation and asset write-downs to record higher net profit. Looking ahead to the next reporting period, equipment investment by the telecommunications industry is expected to be focused on broadband conversion of wireless and wireline networks and the construction of ancillary facilities. The Group will commit its efforts to product innovation and solution-based operations with a strong focus on mainstream 26 April 2013, Shenzhen ― ZTE earlier. ZTE’s gross profit margin has products and improve R&D efficiency. reported a 35.9% increase in net profit expanded for two consecutive quarters, The strategy for populous nations and in the first-quarter, as the company’s as the company strengthened efforts to mainstream carriers will be reinforced, operational review continued to control costs. Revenue dropped 2.8% to as we seek to concentrate on markets deliver improvements in cash flow and RMB 18.09 billion. in which we claim strengths while profitability. Since the second half of 2012, ZTE vigorously expanding in the government, Net profit attributable to shareholders has stringently enforced measures to enterprise and service segments. The of the parent company rose to RMB 205 focus resources on key products and Group will continue to implement the million in the first quarter, and basic markets, target higher-margin contracts, settlement system to facilitate resource earnings per share increased to RMB 0.06. improve cash flow management and management and control, so as to refine Operating cash flow in the first quarter reduce costs, under the company’s cost management and enhance operating significantly improved compared to a year operational review. This has helped the efficiency.
ZTE Partners with Wiktors at LLB Exhibition
23 April 2013, Shenzhen ― ZTE complies with the H.323 protocol and has launched an iPad videoconferencing provides a brand-new experience in software application and a convenient communication, and easy videoconferencing system partnership collaboration for tablet PC users. iPad with Swedish distribution firm Wiktors users can download and install it through at the Ljud, Ljus och Bildmässan (LLB) the AppStore, to easily and freely enjoy exhibition in Stockholm, Sweden. video communications with any H.323 The ZTE ZXV10 iSee T100i is protocol-based conference terminal or a multimedia software terminal that multipoint control unit (MCU).
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Telekom Austria Group Selects ZTE as Sole Supplier to Deploy Converged Voice Network ZTE Cloud-Based Education Sharing 2 May 2013, Vienna, Austria ― ZTE is to provide a CS/IMS converged voice Service Debuts at Arab network for Telekom Austria Group. ZTE Summit is realizing this project under collaboration with Kapsch Carrier Com (KCC), a well experienced local system integrator. 7 May 2013, Shenzhen ― ZTE Under the agreement, ZTE will deploy announced the debut of the Education a mobile circuit-switched softswitch Sharing Service (ESS), its cloud- network to replace the existing mobile core based education solution, at the Arab network for Telekom Austria Group in its Education Summit in Amman, Jordan. northern operational districts, including centralized management and control of its ESS integrates instructional Austria, Slovenia and Liechtenstein. ZTE networks. design, content and educational will also build a new IMS network in these The newly-built IMS network will technologies to provide an extensive, branches. support various scenarios including RCSe stable and effective physical network. The converged voice network for and VoLTE to enable full convergence of The resource is targeted at Arabic Telekom Austria Group is based on a cloud the operator’s fixed and mobile networks. speakers and is based on ZTE’s ‘cloud- solution helping to reduce TCO. Using an The IMS RCSe service will provide a channels-terminals’ pattern, which IMS hosting solution, the centralized IMS carrier-class multimedia experience to allows simultaneous access to multiple core will be deployed to serve various users, helping the operator to deal with network resources. This eliminates branches of the Group independently, the challenges from internet-based OTT constraints on time and space, and enabling the rapid launch of new services providers. The IMS network also helps to creates an improved experience for and giving the Telekom Austria Group achieve standard VoLTE service. students and teachers. ESS provides a range of products of different sizes, such as smart classroom, smart campus, and regional ZTE USA Excels in U.S. Market cloud platforms. It also provides a variety of services that cover different as It Accelerates Smartphone Adoption phases of informatization of education. This enables seamless management of all elements from infrastructure As the No. 5 handset vendor in the to applications. In addition, ZTE U.S. market, the company’s success also provides customized and is the result of its history of being individualized solutions for various the accelerator that places great needs in K-12 education, higher communications technology into the education, vocational education and hands of end users. corporate training. ZTE USA entered the U.S. market in ZTE’s education solutions have 1998 with modest expectations. Today, been successfully implemented at the the company works with all of the national level in 11 countries, such as 29 April 2013, Richardson, TX major U.S. carriers, including AT&T, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mozambique, ― ZTE USA celebrates its 15th Verizon, Sprint, T-mobile, MetroPCS, Nigeria and Turkey. Anniversary in the U.S. market. US Cellular, Cricket and TracFone.
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Movicel: We Are Delivering Superior Value to Our Customers
Reporter: Yang Chunyu
Movicel CEO Yon Junior
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Q: You have worked for Brazil Telecom and Telefonica. What are the challenges of operating in Angola compared to Brazil? A: Challenges in Angola and Brazil are pretty much the same: providing good services, fair prices and universal access while also ensuring a fruitful return for shareholders. Good services and reasonable prices are vital to attracting customers. Universal access should also be considered. The environment in the two countries is actually very similar; the authorities have a good vision of the He talked about the cooperation with role of their regulatory bodies. ZTE, the challenges of operating in Angola, and Movicel’s strategy. Q: The average monthly net income has greatly increased Q: What made you join Movicel since you joined Movicel. What are one and a half years ago? the key drivers behind Movicel’s ovicel is a leading mobile A: Angola is one of the most success? What specific measures operator in Angola. The energetic and exciting countries in have you taken? Mcompany has grown rapidly the world, and telecommunications A: Thank you for your appreciation. since its founding in 2002. Movicel is a key part of Angola’s present and The success Movicel has achieved today launched its first LTE network in May future. There is great potential for can be attributed to our whole team. As 2012 and became the only operator to telecommunications development in the Chinese saying goes, “When people concurrently run four mobile networks— this country. In our industry, working are of one mind and heart, they can CDMA, GSM, UMTS and LTE. for Movicel is a landmark in one’s move Mt. Tai.” Our success is a credit Movicel’s networks cover 18 provinces career. I joined Movicel to deliver the to everyone involved—which includes all over the Angola. Today, one third of best telecommunications services to the definitely ZTE. I think the key drivers of population is using Movicel’s voice or Angolan people. It is my duty to help in Movicel’s success are quality, coverage data services. ZTE Technologies recently the present and future development of and network capacity for both data and interviewed Movicel CEO Yon Junior. this country. voice services. We also have an easy-to-
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Q: What do you expect from the cooperation between ZTE and Movicel? A: ZTE is a good partner for Movicel. Although we are just at the beginning of our journey together, there is still much more to come. I expect we will cooperate very well and achieve win-win outcomes in the future.
Q: Movicel and ZTE have cooperated on “on-the-job training.” How is this going? Has it been helpful for Movicel? A: Every company must have this on- the-job training. It is important for our employees to know how to perform properly. Good on-the-job training helps improve our efficiency and image. Cooperation between Movicel and ZTE on this project is going very well. Every step is under control. More than 90% understand product portfolio supported satisfactory products and services and of our team are locals, which makes us by easy-to-find point of sales. expand our business. very proud. Training is a must, and ZTE delivers extraordinary well. Q: What is the status of Movicel’s Q: How has ZTE contributed to 4G network? Is there a new Movicel’s growth? Q: What is Movicel’s strategy for deployment plan? A: ZTE is a great partner for us. Movicel the next three years? A: Movicel’s 4G network has received would not be in the position it is without A: Movicel has developed well and widespread attention. Financial Times the bold partnership with ZTE. You fast. We are now number one in the featured the network in its special company has played an important role hearts of Angolans. This encourages issue about Angola. Not long ago, in Movicel’s growth in recent years. us to consistently perform better BBC also interviewed us. Our status It has provided onboard, cutting- than expected and deliver superior has improved a lot. We have made edge technology and has a dedicated, value to our customers. In the next great contributions to 4G wireless committed team that has a sense of three years, we will maintain our fast communications and created history. urgency. ZTE is our partner of choice. growth and take back our leading Next, we will do our best to offer Thank you ZTE! market position.
9 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES JUN 2013 JUN 2013 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 10 VIP Voices Telefonica UK: Moving Beyond Traditional Services Reporter: Teli Mendhir
Peter Bailey (L), messaging and voice business manager of Telefonica UK and Leon Veiro (R), LBS messaging architect of Telefonica UK
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elefonica UK is the second and video. Telefonica UK also offer biggest mobile operator in the connections via GPRS, HSDPA, 3G and TUK. The company is always WLAN. exploring new ways to expand their operations and business. Telefonica UK Q: How long have you worked at is one of the leading mobile operators Telefonica UK? What has made who have been able to capitalize on you stay there? real time location information of its Peter Bailey: I worked for Telefonica subscribers to generate revenues from UK for 17 years. I’ve stayed there location based advertising. ZTE has because it’s a company that really cooperated with Telefonica UK on the appreciates its people. The company passive data collector (PDC) to deliver has given me so many opportunities to this capability. As part of the successful develop myself and progress my career. delivery of PDC, ZTE was also Leon Veiro: I worked in the company awarded the GMLC contract. Recently, for 25 years and concur with Peter. ZTE Technologies interviewed Peter Telefonica UK has provided excellent Bailey and Leon Veiro of Telefonica opportunities to develop my career and UK. Peter is the messaging and voice exposed me to a range of projects and business manager, and Leon is the LBS technologies that have satisfied my thirst messaging architect. They talked about for knowledge. a specified area. Also, it will be able to Telefonica UK’s market strategy and maintain location accuracy. challenges in upgrading their network. Q: Why did Telefonica UK They also shared their experience in decide to upgrade the original Q: Why did you decide to partner LBS deployment and their views on the equipment? with ZTE on the project? What cooperation between Telefonica UK and A: This was driven by our need to deliver do you think of ZTE’s technical ZTE. higher numbers of location lookups and solutions and engineering greater volumes of location intelligence performance? Q: Can you introduce Telefonica without affecting core network cost or A: The new LBS solution was initiated UK and its business? ease of paging a mobile. with an RFP process. There were a few A: Telefonica UK is a leading provider other vendors with similar solutions, of mobile and broadband services Q: What did you expect to achieve but ZTE fitted with our requirements, to customers and enterprises across after the upgrade? and they had previous experience the United Kingdom. We have our A: We expected the network to allow implementing a similar solution in headquarters in Slough, Berkshire, and Telefonica UK to lead the industry in another T1 network. Their knowledge of we have customer service centres in location-based advertising. The network and experience with LBS products has Leeds, Glasgow, and Bury and Preston will have lower cost-per-mobile location been impressive, and their engineering Brook, Cheshire. We have 23 million lookup and significantly higher lookup has been fantastic. On occasions, we customers and 450 retail stores. The volumes, moving from the low hundreds have noticed that ZTE could benefit from company is part of Telefonica UK per second to many thousands per second. strengthening its delivery processes for Europe, and the UK operations are a It will provide location intelligence a Tier 1 customer and better managing leader in non-voice services, including and push the locations of a specified necessary changes in this area. We have text, media messaging, games, music subscriber when they have moved into worked with ZTE to close any gaps,
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prospects of LBS in the UK? A: The flagship LBS service that the PDC is responsible for is the “You Are Here” O2 Media product. This pushes and we are pleased to say that ZTE has location-based advertising to more than been receptive to our feedback and has the great collaboration between ZTE, 10 million subscribers. In essence, O2 markedly improved. Telefonica UK, and O2 Media. A great Media will be able to fence certain areas deal of hard work was put in by all of the Telefonica UK’s network and will Q: Have you encountered any parties. be notified in real time via the PDC if problems with the network? If so, an O2 Media’s subscriber physically how have you solved them? Q: How is the project running moves into the fenced location. Location- A: Of course we have had to overcome now? What is your next priority? based advertising will then be triggered, some initial difficulties. Integrating eight A: The platform was completed ahead and an MMS or SMS will be sent to the internal interfaces was complex and of schedule. Although there were a few subscriber. An example of this might be required close collaboration between teething issues, the PDC has been stable discounted coffee offered by a nearby many parts of Telefonica UK. We were for some months and has great capability. café when the customer moves into the challenged by language barriers between The output has been throttled to 15% vicinity of a café. core ZTE developers and Telefonica UK. of the traffic present. This is not a PDC This was alleviated by ZTE providing issue but more a transport and back-end Q: What is Telefonica UK’s an English front end. There were also challenge. strategy to enhance its position in evolving requirements. The initial Next on the agenda is to integrate ZTE the future? contracted evolved significantly over the GMLC into the PDC iVAS platform. It A: Telefonica UK will continue to deliver delivery cycle. Although Telefonica UK is imperative that we improve location great telecoms services to its customers and ended up with a far superior solution, accuracy. will also use its trusted brand to diversify teams were challenged from technical, out of the traditional markets into areas financial, and delivery perspectives. Q: Has Telefonica UK deployed such as banking, heath care, advertising, However, there were positives, such as any LBS services? What are the insurance, and security.
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Using Cloud Radio to Deliver Promises in the 4G Era By Zhu Xiaodong
Zhu Xiaodong, CTO of European Marketing, ZTE
n recent years, mobile broadband has become an essential part of daily life, and mobile communication has entered the cloud era. As mobile technology evolves Itowards LTE, many operators are having to manage 2G, 3G, and LTE networks simultaneously and are facing challenges such as interference between networks. To fulfill their promises to end users, operators need help to efficiently deploy and manage their complex networks.
The LTE Forum at MWC 2013 was sponsored by ZTE. At the forum, mobile operators, service providers, and providers of infrastructure solutions sat down together to discuss various LTE challenges and solutions. ZTE brought to the table its cloud radio solution, which involves using the cloud for mobile access, mobile coordination, and mobile management so that the operator’s network resources are used optimally. This allows the operator to adapt to complex transmission scenarios and keep their promises in the LTE era.
4G’s Promise also been kept. Confucius once said, “If a person In the 4G era, what is the promise? cannot keep their promise, then I don’t know Is it 100 Mbps LTE and 1 Gbps LTE-A? what they can do.” What does 4G promise? No. High peak download speeds are In the 2G era, the promise was voice calls features, not promises. Promises of 100 anywhere, anytime. This promise was kept. Mbps or 1 Gbps cannot be kept. 3GPP In the 3G era, the promise has been mobile claims that the promise of LTE is truly data anytime, anywhere. This promise has global mobile broadband. There are two
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aspects to this promise: First, LTE is global. UMTS in Europe, CDMA in the US, and even TD-SCDMA in China all converge to LTE. So LTE is truly global. Second, LTE is ubiquitous mobile broadband, and a certain amount of bandwidth is reserved for everybody. With mobile broadband, you need to provide speeds of at least 1 Mbps to 2 Mbps anywhere, anytime. Cloud Radio: Delivering the 4G Promise scheduler can be used. This year, ZTE launched a cloud Current Reality radio solution. Cloud radio is not a Cloud Pooling People sometimes say that LTE single technology; it is a combination ZTE offered cloud pooling last networks are capable of 20 Mbps to of many technologies. One of these year. We worked with China Mobile to 60 Mbps, and with speeds such technologies is C-RAN (cloud pooling). build many trial networks. BBU sites as these, the LTE promise is kept. If fiber is available, then BBUs can be were centralized, and at the remote site, However, such speeds are only centralized so that traffic can be handled only fiber was used to connect with the achieved in certain locations and in a centralized way. remote radio head. In this way, rooms under certain conditions. What if Another of these technologies is did not have to be leased at each radio more and more people come onto the cloud P-Bridge. If small cells have been site, and capex and opex were reduced. network or a network is expanded to deployed but there is not enough fiber, With centralized BBUs, resources can be another area? Currently, if you are CAT5 copper lines can be used for cloud allocated in a centralized way to handle near a base station or traffic is light, pooling. tidal traffic. Inter-site CoMP can be bandwidth is very high. However, if the Because small cells have smaller implemented easily with cloud pooling, load is high and you are near an edge, radiuses, interference is severe. and this greatly improves customer customer experience drops dramatically. Therefore, a virtual “super cell” can be experience at the cell edge. Network capacity does not change built that comprises many small cells or in proportion to customer traffic. Where even one macro cell. With a super cell, Cloud Super Cell there is no coverage, mobile data the same cell ID is used for many small If small cells are deployed in a might be needed. More importantly, cells so that interference is reduced and macro cell, CoMP does not work traffic moves as people move. How customer experience is improved. very well. Therefore, cloud super cell can we ensure that capacity changes in If an operator does not have enough technology is introduced. With this proportion to traffic? fiber, a cloud coordinator and cloud technology, many low-power nodes
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ZTE’s cloud radio solution helps operators fulfill their 4G promise in any kind of backhaul situation.
are used as one cell so that there is no enterprise services. IP fiber has two when a user moves from one cell to handover and interference between problems. First, unlike dark fiber, IP another. Throughput at the cell edge cells (even if the cells’ radiuses are very fiber is usually below 1 Gbps (roughly can also be greatly improved. This short). When super cells are combined 400–500 Mbps). This is not very fast. technology is also available now and with other new technologies, such as More importantly, the latency of the has been simulated and tested in real carrier aggregation, mobile traffic can IP fiber can be as high as 4 ms, and networks. be handled very smoothly. Small cells C-RAN technology cannot really be are used not only for hotspots but also used with this latency. ZTE therefore Simulation and Trial Results for high-speed trains. Super cells can developed a new technology called If an operator has dark fiber/OTN handle high-speed handovers without cloud co-ordination that can be used with very high bandwidth and very dropouts, even when the train is for soft bit combining. To reduce the short latency (below 100 µs), cell- running at 250 km/h. need for bandwidth, the after-process edge throughput can be increased by data (soft bits) is used, not the raw 94% compared to that in a traditional Cloud P-bridge data (CPRI data). We combine the network. For IP-RAN or IP fiber, if CAT5 copper lines are already soft bits for two eNode Bs. With this the bandwidth is less than 1 Gbps and present in many indoor environments. kind of coordination, throughput and latency is below 4 ms, more than 83% How can CAT5 be used with C-RAN capacity for cell edge users can still be increase in cell-edge throughput is technology? ZTE invented P-Bridge, improved, even when there is only the obtainable. If an operator has no fiber which compresses the CPRI interface IP backhaul network. but has microwave with latency below below 1 Gbps (usually around 800– 100 ms, throughput can be increased 900 Mbps). In this way, CPRI data can Cloud Scheduling by 30% using cloud scheduling. For be transported through copper lines. Many operators still have very about 5% of cell-edge users, in some With local C-RAN, capacity can be limited fiber and use microwave for circumstances, throughput can be significantly increased, the network LTE backhaul. The good news is that tripled. can be easily installed, and capex and ZTE has developed a technology opex can be dramatically reduced. ZTE called centralized scheduler. Scheduler The Key Takeaway has already tested this technology with equipment is added at the central office The promise of 4G is truly global SoftBank, and it is available now. side, and X2+ interface is used to mobile broadband, and this promise connect the centralized scheduler and must be kept. Traffic grows very quickly Cloud Coordination eNode Bs. Only scheduler information every year. By 2020, there will be at Many operators, especially in is sent to the centralized scheduler, so least a hundredfold increase in traffic. Europe, do not have enough dark bandwidth needs are low. Moreover, A traditional network design is no longer fiber. This means they have to share there is no need for very short latency. feasible. ZTE’s cloud radio solution helps fiber with other operators or share The cloud scheduler allows resources operators fulfill their 4G promise in any fiber with fixed networks or even from one cell to be added to another kind of backhaul situation.
15 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES JUN 2013 JUN 2013 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 2 Special Topic: Microwave Backhaul
Thanh Nguyen received his BE and ME degrees from the University of Electro- Communications, Tokyo. In January 2011, he joined the Microwave Product R&D Group at ZTE USA. Prior to that, he was a senior microwave radio systems engineer at Harris Corporation and Aviat Networks. He worked for more than 20 years at Bell- Northern Research (BNR) and Nortel Networks as a research scientist and later a senior manager responsible for systems design and development of high-capacity SONET/SDH microwave radios. He received the Order of Excellence for Technical Achievement from president of Northern Telecom Canada.
A Flexible Unified Architecture for Point-to-Point Digital Microwave Radios
By Thanh Nguyen, Ying Shen and Andrey Kochetkov
Introduction mounted indoor radio units. Bulky 4G wireless networks are the next elliptical waveguides had to be used wave of mobile multimedia networks, to connect these units to antennas and 4G LTE is fast becoming a on a tower or rooftop. Industry later reality. The backhaul point-to-point devised a split-mount radio system microwave radio is a key part of a 4G comprising an indoor unit (IDU) and LTE network and is important to the outdoor unit (ODU), both of which overall success of the network. are mounted onto the back of the Point-to-point microwave radios antenna or connected to the antenna have gone from being all-indoor using a short waveguide. Today, radios to being split-mount and industry is gravitating towards an all outdoor radios. In the past, most outdoor radio unit (AOU) mounted microwave radios comprised rack- on the back of the antenna. These
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AOUs contain the RF components with an IDU, ODU, and antenna. An IDU as well as the circuitry for tributary typically comprises a modem, mux circuits, interfaces, modem, and network a controller, and a power module. The management. ODU up-converts the IF signal received In a 4G network rollout, operators from the IDU into an RF signal. The ODU want their microwave equipment then amplifies the RF signal before sending to be scalable and interchangeable it to the antenna. The RF signal received and to share common elements for from the antenna is down-converted to an all capacities and frequency bands. IF signal and passed through a multistage From the vendor’s perspective, an gain control circuit before being sent back architecture that supports various to the IDU. platforms with as many common An AOU integrates modem and denominators as possible is also network functionalities with IF and RF highly preferable. This has become a functionalities. IF and RF signal processing key design requirement for point-to- is similar to that in an ODU; therefore, point microwave radio. Here we give a transceiver that is common to both an overview of design commonalities platforms is a logical design requirement. in transceiver architecture, mechanical Such a transceiver has the following concept, antenna interface and characteristics: duplexer, and software and production ● It supports both I/Q interface for the test flow. AOU and TX IF interface for the ODU. Common Transceiver ● It has two detectors in the transmitter ODU to compensate cable loss, and it Fig. 1 shows a traditional split radio chain. The first detector is placed in the is bypassed in the AOU application. The second detector is used to detect the level of the power amplifier (PA) and also for alarm purposes in both applications. ● It supports wide filter bandwidths for digital predistortion (DPD). IDU ODU Open loop DPD parameters are characterized through calibration Up Converter Power and then applied to the modem look- DC Amplifier up table (LUT) to correct the non- Modem/ NMS Mux/ Controller linearity of the PA. Controller/ Cable LMT PWR Mux Duplexer ● It has a PA bias control to reduce the Circuitry bias when the power level is low. STM-1 DC/DC Converter ● It supports RF loopback for self- E1 diagnosis. GbE Down Converter Low-Noise ● It supports on-board local frequency RSSI Amplifier reference. Alternatively, it supports a reference from the digital board in the AOU or IDU for future hitless and Figure 1. ODU block diagram. coherent applications.
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Common Duplexer for the ODU and AOU The transmit and receive ports of a duplexer connect to the transmit and receive ports of a transceiver. Because the transceiver and duplexer are common to the ODU and AOU, the connection between the two is also common. In the ODU, the common duplexer common port extends from a hole in the ODU enclosure and connects to the antenna. For an AOU, a waveguide extension is added to bridge the distance between the duplexer and the antenna.
Common Antenna Interface and Common Mounting Mechanics The common port of a duplexer connects to the antenna. It pass transmit and receive signals between the antenna and the ODU and AOU. This connection is a waveguide connection. For an ODU, the antenna Common Mechanical Concept AOU to bridge the gap between the feed mates with the duplexer through an Fig. 2 shows the ODU and AOU. connectors of the digital card and the opening in the casting of the common The transceiver is mounted to a transceiver. By simply relocating the duplexer port. For an AOU, the antenna casting for heat sinking. The interface connector, the ODU and AOU have feed mates to the waveguide extension card is mounted to the same casting the same transceiver. which mates to the duplexer. Both the as the transceiver. The transceiver and interface card are connected through a pair of mating connectors. One connector is installed on the top of the interface card, and the other Antenna Antenna is installed on the bottom of the WG transceiver. Ext. The AOU physical cross-section Duplexer Digital Card has the same concept. The transceiver Duplexer is mounted to a casting for heat Transceiver Interface Card Transceiver sinking (as in the ODU). In the AOU, the digital card is mounted to its own casting. The transceiver has a dual footprint for the connector: A footprint ODU AOU on the bottom is used in the ODU, and another on the top is used in the Figure 2. The ODU and AOU. AOU. A flexible circuit is used in the
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IDU AOU Software Software
Adapter
Database
ODU mechanics. The duplexer, Application Modules TRX and INFC first go through
Loops Synt he sizer Parameters Monitor their own module pass/fail test Control Control stations. Then, the TRX, INFC and ODU mechanics are integrated OS Abstract Layer
RF Components Control Software into a radio frequency unit (RFU). Operation System Drivers This unit undergoes RF and DPD calibration and is then integrated with a duplexer so that it is now RF Hardware dependent on a frequency band. It then goes through a final ODU test Figure 3. RF component control software block diagram. flow. The AOU shares the same TRX and duplexer with the ODU and has a similar test flow.
ODU and AOU castings have four other modules that are not controlled Summary mounting posts of identical dimensions by RF components control software ODU and AOU radio platforms so that the same antenna can be used via an inter-task communication can have a flexible, unified on both radio units. mechanism (in the case of an AOU). architecture by exploiting common ● bandwidth and modulation-dependent design elements in radio hardware, Common Software data is stored separately from the RF software, and test flow. This design Common software is used to component control software. This data conserves valuable area on the control RF hardware and provide is stored in the form of bandwidth/ transceiver and allows the transceiver a generic interface for system modulation profiles that can be size to be minimized. Cost is also configuration. The software design updated separately using software. saved by reducing the size of has the following common features Each frequency band has its own set mechanical components. The use of for both ODU and AOU: of bandwidth/modulation profiles, and a common transceiver, duplexer, and ● application modules are isolated the RF component control software antenna greatly reduces the number from the operation system by using does not need to be changed when of unique components that must an OS abstraction layer. Software hardware with a new frequency band is be designed, tested, and stocked. for controlling RF components can introduced. This significantly improves time to be based on different operation market and minimizes the need for systems. Common Test Flow design resources. Greater volumes ● a generic interface is used to A common test flow is used for have been passing through common communicate with an IDU via a both ODU and AOU. The ODU manufacturing assemblies, and telemetry channel (in the case of an has a duplexer, transceiver (TRX), greater attention has been paid to the ODU) or is used to communicate with interface (INFC) module, and economics of scale.
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Ying Shen received his PhD from McMaster University, Canada, in 1993. He was elected an IEEE senior member in 1997 and joined ZTE USA as a site manager of the North Carolina R&D Center in 2011. Over the past 20 years, he has held senior management positions at Harris Corporation, Harris Stratex, and Aviat Networks. Dr. Shen has published more than 50 papers, and he currently holds or has applied for more than 35 US patents. He has led many design teams that have released and responsible for at least 120 various products such as RF/microwave chips, devices, modules, subsystems and systems into mass production for frequency range from 2 GHz to 110 GHz. On numerous occasions, Dr. Shen has been a reviewer and session chairman for international conferences on microwave communications.
A Universal Architecture for Small Cell Backhaul Radio
By Ying Shen and Ed Nealis
Background sight (NLOS) environments. Demand for mobile data is in Backhaul is a key challenge. The soaring worldwide, and the boom is just top three small-cell backhaul candidates beginning. Small cells, carrier WiFi, are fiber, NLOS sub 6 GHz MIMO, and and backhaul are the top three solutions millimeter wave point-to-point (PtP) alongside backbone fiber networks that LOS radios at 60 GHz or E-bands. will support this mobile data explosion. There is no single solution, and Small-cell base stations will typically the combination of these technologies be deployed in addition to the existing depends on cell location, coverage size, macro layer. The key requirements for and capacity requirements. Here, we small-cell backhaul will be describe a universal architecture for small- ● low total cost ownership (TCO) cell backhaul radio when the backhaul ● fast deployment and installation needs to use the wireless connection. ● minimal regulation ● coordinated frequencies Universal Small-Cell Backhaul ● ubiquitous coverage in hotspots and Radio Architecture in line-of-sight (LOS) and non line of The top three requirements for
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small-cell backhaul are low cost, easy installation and LOS and NLOS coverage. If the link distance TRY #4 TRY #3 is a maximum of a few hundred Sub 6 2x2 MIMO Modem TRY #2 TRY #1 meters, maximum availability is 99.99%, and street-level light poles CPU Sync E/1588 References and utility poles are used, 5 GHz and POE and 60 GHz are the most effective bands, Data and PWR Switching Network EPLD/Flash/ respectively, for NLOS and LOS small- FPGA Processor EEprom cell backhaul applications. 5 GHz is a sub 6 GHz band, and 60 GHz is an unlicensed band that has unique 60GHz/E-band Modem 60GHz/E-band TRX oxygen absorption characteristics for frequency reuse. It also provides wide EMC DC/DC spectrum availability. Fig. 1 shows a universal NLOS Figure 1. Universal small-cell backhaul radio architecture. and LOS small-cell backhaul radio architecture. The data and DC power are obtained directly from the small cell. There are two separate data channels: one goes to a sub 6 GHz NLOS channel, and the other goes to a 60 GHz/E-band LOS channel. In normal operation, 5GHz Beam: 40 deg the sub 6 GHz NLOS channel and 60 GHz/E-band LOS channel work simultaneously and provide maximum throughput. If the sub 6 GHz or 60 GHz/ 60GHz Beam: 3-4 deg E-band channel does not work because of in-band interference, blockage, multipath fading, or hardware failure, the system provides automatic hitless switching. A
(A) universal small-cell backhaul needs to have the following key features: ● fully integrated dual-band solution ● flat antenna for 60 GHz band or E-band ● dipole or microstrip antenna for sub 6 GHz band ● auto mechanical or electrical tuning with auto alignment ● combined NLOS and LOS for various coverage needs
(B) (C) (D) ● multi-gigabits-per-second hitless throughput Figure 2. Proposed dual LOS and NLOS small-cell backhaul radio. ● carrier Ethernet switching to support MPLS/MPSL-TP standards, QoS scheduling, protection, and OAM
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● support for Sync E or IEEE 1588v2 for alignment concept. Two dimensional frequency combination, such as 2.4 GHz, precision timing transport azimuth and elevation auto mechanical 2.6 GHz or 3.4 GHz NLOS combined ● power over Ethernet (POE). tuning is achieved by using two separate with E-band LOS. Both 5 GHz and 60 GHz are step motors that are integrated in the The dual-band concept can be unlicensed bands and are available in all back of the radio mounting mechanics. extended to triple band offering or countries. 5 GHz time division duplex Mechanical alignment greatly decreases selective switching bands in NLOS and (TDD) can support up to 600 Mbps installation time and increases link can be combined with either 60 GHz or throughput with advanced 4 × 4 MIMO, availability and liability due to weather, E-band LOS. and 60 GHz full duplex FDD or TDD environment, multipath and other factors. can support up to 10 Gbps throughput. The radio provides the required DC and Summary Fig. 2 shows the proposed small-cell control signals to the tunable mounting A universal LOS and NLOS tunable backhaul. Fig. 2 (a) shows a concept mechanism so that this mechanism small-cell back radio architecture of this dual LOS and NLOS combined can automatically align the radio and provides radio. 5 GHz NLOS uses either four enhance the radio’s performance during ● the flexibility to use unlicensed bands dipoles (folded or unfolded) or four installation and operation. for installation and network build-out microstrip antennas, and 60 GHz LOS If the cost of the 60 GHz CMOS in international markets. uses flat antenna, as shown in Fig. 2 (b), module is further reduced and the ● flexible backhaul solutions when (c) and (d). The 5 GHz NLOS MIMO transceiver is developed, dual-band there is no fiber available and the provides a typical antenna beamwidth of radios will inevitably use phase array small-cell station needs wireless about 40 degrees, and 60 GHz point-to- or digital beamforming techniques connectivity. (The proposed package point LOS provides a typical beamwidth at 60 GHz, as shown in Fig. 3 (b). provides the solutions for both LOS of three to four degrees. With either phase array or digital and NLOS environment.) Installation is one of the most beamforming techniques at 60 GHz, the ● a compact flat antenna that avoids important aspects of small-cell stations radio will be capable of independent the traditional parabolic perception and backhaul radios because of the electronic beam tuning for both 5 GHz of a public antenna. A flat antenna potential costs involved in mounting, NLOS and 60 GHz signals. also provides a clean integrated installation, maintenance, and coverage. Furthermore, the dual-band concept solution so that a small-cell network Fig. 3 shows a mechanical auto can be extended to any NLOS and LOS can be a part of the future digital infrastructure of a city. ● mechanical tuning, which greatly
2-axis Active Alignment reduces the installation requirements Bracket Assembly Independent Electrical Beam Steering and alignment difficulties. This significantly increases link availability. Mechanical Beam Steering ● a development path for electronic turning capability using phase array or digital beam forming at 60 GHz when CMOS technologies get mature. ● a TDD/FDD radio to support combined NLOS and LOS
(A) (B) traffic and also to support hitless switching when one of the paths has Figure 3. Auto alignment and tuning. performance or LOS problems. This greatly increases system availability and liability.
21 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES JUN 2013 JUN 2013 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 22 Special Topic: Microwave Backhaul ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW for Intelligent Microwave Network Planning By Ren Haixia and Wang Yi
s communications become matching based on the parameters Features of ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW more enriched and diversified, and performance indicators of ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW is part people are demanding more links of ZTE’s radio network planning A ● from radio communications. Microwave unified planning platform for radio platform and uses intelligent planning transmission is an important part of radio and microwave networks and for technologies for microwave network communications, but it has developed so seamless data integration planning. The tool has all the functions rapidly that traditional network planning ● end-to-end service planning that of traditional network planning technologies cannot deal with it. Network includes preliminary network technologies, but it also supports complexity increases as TDM networks planning, in-depth planning, and intelligent planning of large networks. It have evolved to hybrid TDM-IP or all-IP network OAM planning. can be used in a variety of transmission networks. Joint, intelligent planning of ZTE has developed a microwave network planning scenarios. radio and microwave networks is needed network planning tool called UniPOS to address present and future needs. CNP-MW. This tool builds on traditional Automatic topology planning An intelligent planning tool must network planning technologies but ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW can be used have the following functions: allows more intelligent microwave to quickly generate a large network ● intelligent batch analysis of network planning. ZTE UniPOS CNP- topology. It can provide a topology microwave link line of sight MW improves customer satisfaction by plan when a radio network suffers from ● automatic network topology speeding up the network design process frequent site changes. If site properties, planning based on the condition and and reducing TCO. This tool is now antenna height, maximum direction requirements of links widely used in pre-sales planning and for number, link depth and other parameters ● automatic link parameter project execution. are set, ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW can
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automatically search for and use a particular topology. With this function, efficiency of topology planning increases Table 1. Network planning efficiency before and after ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW was used. more than 30% in flat regions and 60%
to 70% in hilly regions. Time Required Time Required Scale for Pre-Sales for After-sales Scenario Task Unit Intelligent LOS analysis (Number of Hops) Planning Planning (Hours/person) (Hours/person) LOS is greatly affected by terrain. Traditional network planning for Topology planning Hop 150 4 4 undulating terrain requires manual LOS Capacity planning Hop 150 3 3 Before analysis, which is inefficient. With CNP- Link planning Hop 150 1 9 intelligent LOS analysis, LOS routes are MW Frequency planning Hop 150 N/A 14 was used analyzed in batches when parameters Engineering design Hop 150 N/A 10 such as clearance and antenna height Total 8 40 have been set. Topology planning Hop 150 1.25 1.25 Capacity planning Hop 150 0.25 0.25 Intelligent capacity planning After As TDM networks evolve to CNP- Link planning Hop 150 0.5 3 TDM-Ethernet and all-IP networks, MW Frequency planning Hop 150 N/A 9.5 was used network planning becomes more Engineering design Hop 150 N/A 2 difficult because of the features of IP Total 2 16 services. Convergence of services and Efficiency improvement 6 / 8 × 100 = 75% 24 / 40 × 100 = 60% network scaling of different carriers varies according to the network layer and customer levels. As a result, more factors need to be taken into consideration when planning a network. Parameters such as convergence site, not need such a high degree of skill in and report-making can be affected by redundancy rate, and convergence rate using microwave planning software. limited frequency resources. may be set according to service trends. Efficiency is improved, and instances of The Sri Lanka 150-hop microwave Intelligent capacity planning is used incorrect are reduced. network project is a typical model for to automatically calculate the capacity analyzing the efficiency of microwave of the entire network and output the Efficiency of ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW network planning. After ZTE UniPOS transmission requirements for the in a Typical Scenario CNP-MW was used, network planning upper-layer transmission network. This Microwave network planning efficiency increased 75% in the pre-sales ensures rapid and comprehensive data includes a pre-sales bidding phase and bidding phase and 60% in the project exchange. a project execution phase. These two execution phase. Intelligent planning technologies help phases have different requirements in In the future, ZTE UniPOS CNP-MW make network planning more efficient terms of improving energy efficiency. will have more network planning modules, and reduce network planning costs. In the pre-sales bidding phase, topology including automatic frequency planning, One-click antenna height optimization, analysis, capacity planning, and link automatic IP address planning, intelligent intelligent template-based link matching, performance analysis can be affected by loop management, and intelligent ACM. one-click batch parameter configuration, frequent site changes in a radio network. These will make network planning more and flexible conversion of planning result In the project execution phase, plan intelligent and improve network planning forms mean that planning personnel do modification, frequency configuration, efficiency.
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Carrier-Class Ethernet Microwave The Best Choice for Mobile Backhaul By Xu Changchun
ith the rapid growth of mobile networks, service Wtraffic has surged in recent times but operators have not profited from this surge. Traditional circuit- switched networks, such as SDH in 2011 shows that the number of networks, are expensive and cannot new microwave backhaul networks be easily scaled. Packet-switched has soared since 2011, and by 2014, transmission reduces the number microwave backhaul networks will of network layers, lowers network account for 50% of the global network construction cost, allows scalability and market. Microwave transmission is an integration, and helps operators transition important mobile backhaul solution. easily access Ethernet services. to integrated service. This is the trend of ZTE is experienced in microwave ZTE’s microwave products strictly network development. transmission and has put forward an comply with MEF 6.1 and MEF 10.2 Compared with circuit-switched advanced carrier-class microwave and fully support the standard services transmission, packet-switched solution that solves problems associated defined in these specifications. ZTE’s transmission is more cost efficient, with packet transmission. microwave products have obtained MEF manageable, and scalable, but it is 9 and MEF 14 certification. They are inferior in terms of service protection, Standardized Services easy to manage; they allow convenient monitoring, and QoS. To address these MEF 6.1 defines three generic service expansion; and they can be problems with packet networks, the service constructs, and MEF 10.2 deployed in any network scenario. Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) proposed defines an Ethernet service management carrier-class Ethernet, which is regarded model from a user perspective. These Scalability as the ideal solution to improving QoS in two technical specifications ensure that As mobile networks evolve from packet networks. users are provided with generic and 2G and 3G to LTE, the demand for Microwave transmission equipment standard services that are independent bandwidth has grown significantly, is widely used in mobile backhaul of manufacturers. This effectively helps and operators have had to expand their networks because it is cheap, reliable, customers plan and integrate Ethernet mobile networks. For service security, and flexible and can be quickly put into services into network infrastructures expansion, and maintenance, the traffic commercial use. A report by Infonetics and allows customer edge equipment to of different users must be separated.
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polarization wave and a vertical polarization wave can be used to However, this requires more than 4096 provide two transmission channels VLANs. ZTE’s microwave products for a single carrier. This doubles solve the problem of insufficient VLAN transmission capacity. IDs by using stacked VLANs defined by ● physical link aggregation. By binding IEEE 802.1ad. This allows new service multiple microwave links together, deployment and service separation. greater transmission capacity is ZTE’s microwave products support possible. VLAN translation in 1:1, 1:2, 2:2, or 2:1 ● header compression (HC). Redundant one path is available on the network, mode and can therefore be applied to any or repeated fields of a user packet the paths can be configured to a 1:1 complicated networking scenario. are replaced or compressed and then protection-switching architecture. The Microwave transmission capacity decompressing at the peer end. In network services on a failed working is restricted by frequency resources typical configurations, when HC path can be switched to a protection path and wireless modulation technologies. and XPIC functions are enabled, the in 50 ms. With ELPS, ZTE’s microwave In a typical 56 MHz, 256-QAM transmission capacity of a single products provide carrier-class availability configuration, the maximum theoretical carrier reaches 1.06 Gbps. for critical services such as voice transmission capacity of a single carrier ● adaptive code modulation (ACM). signaling. is about 400 Mbps, which is insufficient Upgrading the modulation mode Ethernet ring protection switching to meet the transmission requirements increases the bandwidth so that (ERPS) eliminates redundant paths of 3G and LTE aggregation links. ZTE extra services can be transmitted and protects the ring topologies, NR8000 series microwave products and critical services can also be which are often used on microwave maximize microwave transmission transmitted with 99.999% reliability. backhaul networks. Early ring bandwidth by using the following protection mechanisms using Spanning technologies: Reliability Tree Protocol provide 1 second ● co-channel dual polarization/cross- ZTE’s microwave products support service switching; however, this is polarization interference cancellation ITU-T G.8031 Ethernet linear protection not carrier-class protection. ZTE’s (CCDP/XPIC). A horizontal switching (ELPS). When more than microwave products support ITU-T
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Recommendation G.8032 ERPS and can These include the widely used DiffServ mechanism has well-defined ideas, and switch services in less than 50 ms. mechanism. DiffServ manages QoS port-based configuration is replaced with The link aggregation mechanism policies by domain so that the same QoS traffic-based configuration. binds a group of physical paths into a is maintained for a particular class of logical link to balance loads, increase service traffic in a domain. With Diffserv, Service Management bandwidth, and provide dynamic link a network is divided into DiffServ In early microwave backhaul protection. ZTE’s microwave products domains based on OAM requirements. solutions, microwave transmission support IEEE 802.3ad-compliant Traffic is classified with a PHB mark and equipment did not provide effective E2E Ethernet link aggregation and RF link conditioned at the boundaries between service management tools that made aggregation, both of which protect DiffServ domains. Class-based traffic service deployment and troubleshooting multiple layers, including the physical discarding and scheduling performed by more efficient. Future service layer and data-link layer. a node in a DiffServ domain is defined as development could not be supported. per-hop behavior (PHB). Carrier-class Ethernet equipment QoS The early Ethernet was a set of provides complete service management, Although microwave equipment networking technologies for LANs that including network monitoring and allows for flexible networking and rapid did not have QoS processing capability. diagnosis, as well as fast service deployment, it has weaknesses. It is ZTE follows IP QoS principles and provisioning. E2E service management is sensitive to weather, and the bandwidth incorporates the DiffServ concept and indispensable for carrier-class Ethernet. in the microwave links fluctuates architecture into Ethernet. ZTE replaces ZTE’s microwave products provide an frequently. This inevitably leads to the DSCP of a frame with S-VLAN Pri E2E service management solution that traffic congestion. A QoS mechanism bits for PHB marking. S-VLAN DEI bits integrates E2E service provisioning with is required in order to use microwave are used for packet color marking, and monitoring, troubleshooting, and QoS transmission equipment for carrier-class QoS policies are managed by dividing tools. This significantly improves OAM operation. them into DS domain, network ingress efficiency, reduces opex, and maximizes A set of mature IP/MPLS QoS policy, and network element egress profits for operators. mechanisms are already available. policy (Fig. 1). The ZTE microwave QoS As networks evolve and new services emerge, telecom operators are coming under enormous pressure from the internet industry and count on elaborate service operation as a key approach to increasing DS Domain Network Ingress Policy Network Element Egress Policy revenue. Carrier-class Ethernet is an ideal choice for operators because it allows for DS Domain Traffic Condition (TC) CAR Congestion Management Discard & Avoidance (PHB) DSname Classification CARID Taildrop service expansion, service management, Port ● Simple classification CIR CoS RED QoS guarantee, and reliability. Microwave ● ACL CBS ● Discard Policy WRED transmission in mobile backhaul is MarkCos (PHB) EIR ● Scheduling Policy CARID EBS becoming more operational. ZTE’s Scheduling Coupling Flag Shaping microwave products make the switching Color Mode SP ... WRR architecture of traditional Ethernet carrier- DWRR class. Service provisioning, scalability, WFQ reliability, QoS, and service management of a traditional Ethernet network are Figure 1. QoS policy management. transformed.
27 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES JUN 2013 JUN 2013 ZTE TECHNOLOGIES 2 Success Stories
onverged CS/IMS and IMS Hosting Solution Helps TAG Smoothly Implement VoLTE CBy Zhao Wenxian and Tu Jiashun
“The new ZTE CS/IMS network opens up the future for Telekom Austria Group. It will enable us to easily expand our business and give our customers the best possible experience of the latest fixed and mobile communication services,” said Hans Pichler, CTO of Telekom Austria Group.
elekom Austria Group (TAG) development of internet services, TAG lose market share because of competition is Austria’s largest information is facing challenges like most other from the internet. All these factors push Tand communications services operators. First, they must efficiently traditional operators to transform as provider and one of Europe’s leading transform themselves into a full- soon as possible. full-service carriers. TAG operates in service operator while reducing costs TAG launched an IMS project in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Belarus, and increasing revenue. Second, they the second half of 2011. It planned to Slovenia, the Republic of Serbia, must urgently upgrade their network construct an IMS-based network to offer the Republic of Macedonia and to cope with the rapid development a variety of services, including MMTel, Liechtenstein. With intense competition of wireless broadband. Third, if they RCSe, SCC, and future fixed/mobile in telecom industry and with the remain a traditional operator, they will convergence (FMC). TAG’s idea of “start
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the centralized IMS core will be able to MMTel AS/SCC AS, ATCF, MSCs/ independently serve various branches MGCF, ENUM/DNS, EMS, and LIG Belarus of the Group. This will allow TAG to are based on the ETCA platform. rapidly launch new services and centrally Media-plane elements such as MRFP, manage its networks. MGW/IM-MGW, and SBC are also Austria The new IMS network will support based on the ETCA platform. The Liechtenstein rich communication suite-enhanced universal hardware platform allows
Slovenia (RCSe) and voice over LTE (VoLTE) for lower operational costs, flexible Republic of Serbia scenarios so that TAG’s fixed and mobile dimensioning, and smooth migration. Croatia networks can be fully converged. These Bulgaria networks serve for access endpoints such Leading IMS hosting solution Republic of Macedonia as IP PBX, softphone, LTE terminals, By using middleware-based multiple and RCSe. instances, ZTE’s IMS system supports Figure 1. IMS deployment for TAG. multitenancy. A number of countries Highlights of TAG IMS Network share one IMS core but the system looks as if it is a dedicated physical instance Advanced ETCA platform with high- that does not interfere with or depend on small and grow fast” is a level-headed performance and reliability other OpCos in the system. plan with multitenancy at its core. ZTE’s universal hardware platform Multitenancy allows one IMS system ZTE is an industry-leading provider is called enhanced telecom computing to serve multiple OpCos on the same of end-to-end IMS network solutions and architecture (ETCA) and is based hardware. It is especially useful for a has passed strict proof-of-concept tests on advanced telecommunications multinational carrier who has some and evaluations. In collaboration with computing architecture (ATCA) small OpCos or has an unbalanced user Kapsch CarrierCom, an experienced core technologies. ETCA is used for distribution among multiple OpCos. It is local system integrator, ZTE will help all ZTE IMS products. Signaling also attractive to carriers who want to save TAG deploy a converged CS/IMS voice and server elements such as CSCF, costs at the beginning of IMS deployment. network. ZTE will offer a standards- based, best-in-class, carrier-grade IMS solution. Vienna
NE for Converged CS/IMS Voice Solution NE for Vienna HSS BSS NMS CCF/CDF/CGF/OCS SIP AS Liechtenstein for a Future-proof Network IP IMS Core SIP/SIP-I Middleware ZTE will deploy a mobile circuit MMTEL/SCC AS I-SBC OS RCS AS ISUP switched (CS) softswitch network EMS MGCF/IM-SSF SPN E1 HW to replace TAG’s existing mobile CSCF PSTN ENUM/DNS MGW/MRFP core network in Austria, Slovenia E/P-CSCF/A-SBC OpCos have their own and Liechtenstein. At the same time, Vienna Liechtenstein •Service Package •Charging Policy OSS/BSS ZTE will build a new IP multimedia •Provisioning subsystem (IMS) network in these LIG LIG •Maintenance xSDL/LAN LTE xSDL/LAN LTE markets (Fig. 1). The converged voice solution is Fixed Mobile LEMF/LIC Fixed Mobile LEMF/LIC based on a telco “cloud” and helps Figure 2. TAG IMS hosting architecture. reduce TCO. With IMS hosting (Fig. 2),
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CS SCC AS It also reduces capex and opex. Enhanced MSC Features of IMS hosting solution UTRAN RAN include: IMS ● multiple instances on one board for optimal resource use. Multiple UE A instances share the same hardware (Calling) ATCF/ATGW UE B (e.g. board level), and the resources (Callee) are balanced among multiple OpCos. EPC This is especially useful for uneven eNode B user distribution among OpCos. ● highly flexible configuration and Figure 3. ZTE IMS eSR-VCC solution architecture. management functions that are dedicated to each OpCo and that do not affect other OpCos. ● same hardware platform for all IMS elements. IMS elements, including with MSCs and MGCF. subscriber registers in the CS network. signaling elements such as CSCF, SCC AS was introduced, and this In March 2013, ZTE successfully MMTel AS and ATCF, and media can be integrated with MMTel AS or made the first VoLTE call in Europe elements, such as MRFP, MGW and deployed separately. ZTE recommends over TAG’s commercial network. LTE SBC are based on the ETCA platform. integrating SCC AS and MMTEL AS handsets were used, which improved ● large capacity and flexible to save cost. ZXUN SSS supports all connection time and provided perfect configuration. standard supplementary services for voice voice quality. ● fulfills the regulatory requirements and also supports IP Centrex/Converged on LI, NP and EC for multitenancy Centrex services, converged ONLY Customer Benefits architecture. service, VCC service, CS/IMS number IMS hosting centralizes ● implementation of different services sharing, enterprise applications, and ICS infrastructure and lowers TCO. As a for different OpCos. solution. tenant, each OpCo shares the HW, SW ATCF and ATGW have been and maintenance. The IMS RCSe service Comprehensive VoLTE/eSRVCC solution introduced into the eSRVCC specification provides carrier-class multimedia ZTE provides a complete product as a result of ZTE. ATCF/ATGW is experience and helps the operator deal portfolio based on the VoLTE solution. deployed in the visit network. ATCF with challenges from internet-based ZTE participated in the first-ever VoLTE anchors the media flow in a visit network over the top (OTT) providers. The IMS interoperability test, which was hosted during handover. The remote IMS UE network also helps provide standard by the MultiService Forum (MSF) and does not take part in the handover in VoLTE service (eSRVCC, enhanced backed by GSMA. It was held at the order to avoid voice service interruption single-radio voice call continuity). The Vodafone Test and Innovation Centre caused by long signaling routing. ATCF new mobile softswitch and IMS network in Düsseldorf, Germany. Test scenarios and ATGW are collocated with SBC on helps TAG significantly expand its included VoLTE basic interoperability, the same hardware platform. network capacity, and this allows the global roaming, and interconnection as The solution supports a single operator’s customer base to grow rapidly. specified by GSMA. number for SRVCC subscribers in ZTE’s highly integrated core network In the TAG network, MME and HSS the CS and IMS domains. It helps the equipment will significantly reduce the are ready for eSRVCC (Fig. 3). ZTE operator save number resources and does network’s physical footprint so that the provided an eMSC that was integrated not affect any existing services when the TAG’s capex is reduced.
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CMHK Partners with ZTE for LTE Microwave Backhaul Deployment By Li Lina
hina Mobile Hong Kong operators in Hong Kong and has the large capacity and wide coverage because (CMHK), a wholly-owned greatest potential. fiber is limited and site rental fees are Csubsidiary of China Mobile, CMHK operated a Hong Kong-wide high. ZTE has rich experience in network was established in 1997. CMHK was GSM 1800 network to provide GSM voice construction, project management, and the first PCS (GSM 1800) operator to and data to mainland customers roaming managed services in Hong Kong. Guided launch mobile services in Hong Kong, to Hong Kong. Previously, CMHK’s by a customer service philosophy, ZTE which is one of the biggest economies in lack of 3G networks meant it lagged provided CMHK with a highly reliable, the world. The high-rise buildings and behind other mainstream operators in expansible microwave transmission dense commercial districts are signs of Hong Kong. Therefore, CMHK made 4G solution that provided high coverage even the city’s prosperity, but they also give network construction its key strategic with limited fiber resources. rise to a complicated radio environment goal. CMHK bought an FDD 2.6G CMHK had never used microwave and are a challenge for mobile network license at auction in 2009 and launched a in its network before. ZTE took into construction. Through the use of cutting- commercial FDD LTE network in early consideration transmission cost at end edge GPRS, EDGE, 3G HSPA, and 4G 2012. It also bought a TDD 2.3G license sites when proposing the microwave technologies, CMHK has been providing at a high price and launched a commercial solution to CMHK and also drew on the customers with professional, innovative TDD LTE network at the end of 2012. experience of deploying microwave in communication services. CMHK is now LTE networks are being rapidly CSL’s mobile network. In the CMHK one of the largest mobile broadband deployed. Mobile backhauls need to have project, microwaves were used to
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connect end sites to the network and provide backhaul for 2G, 3G, and LTE sites. Ericsson FDD-LTE sites had to be connected with ZTE TDD-LTE sites on equipment NR8250 operated smoothly the LTE side. Because various types of with existing FDD-LTE equipment by services had to be carried on the network, Ericsson. NR8250 also outperformed ZTE and CMHK, ZTE will complete the high QoS and stability were of paramount other microwave products from Ericsson, deployment of all microwave sites by the importance. Hong Kong’s Office of the Alcatel-Lucent, and Comba in the end of 2014. Communications Authority (OFCA) was subsequent QoS and link stability tests. CMHK was responsible for the strict in granting an access license to As a result, ZTE was shortlisted as a project execution. ZTE provided technical radio equipment. Quickly obtaining an candidate partner for CMHK. support in the early stages of professional equipment certificate from the OFCA and ZTE took into consideration CMHK’s network planning to assist CMHK get helping CMHK deploy the microwave existing network conditions and future link certificated by OFCA. ZTE also solution as soon as possible were major evolution needs and adopted a highly developed a one-click deployment tool for issues. customized all-IP microwave backhaul efficient installation. This tool provides Because of CMHK’s pressing need solution. NR8250 was used to provide offline parameter configuration that for microwave backhaul, ZTE set a tight high data throughput and low latency. It lowers the skill required of the on-site schedule for the project. To evaluate supported dynamic allocation between deployer. It also increases the success rate the overall performance of microwave emulated TDM and Ethernet services of one-time site deployment and greatly products from different equipment without any bandwidth loss. This helped reduces costs for CMHK. suppliers, CMHK asked for both lab and CMHK solve the issue of 2G, 3G, and In the customer satisfaction survey field tests. After discerning CMHK’s LTE coexistence and pave the way for conducted by ZTE at the beginning of specific requirements, ZTE responded smooth transition to future IP services. 2013, CMHK praised ZTE’s microwave quickly by obtaining an OFCA certificate NR8250 has integrated module slots equipment and expressed their expectation for spectrum test in the first week. The for flexible network upgrade and also for further cooperation with ZTE. “The testing equipment arrived at the site, and provides enhanced Ethernet performance partnership with ZTE is most important ZTE completed the site survey in the for high link reliability and stability. for successful project implementation. We second week. This laid a good foundation By the end of 2012, ZTE had delivered expect further cooperation with ZTE to for subsequent tests. and commercialized the first phase of expand and share the microwave backhaul In the multivendor interoperability the microwave project. According to the network,” said Feng Yaojin, microwave test, ZTE’s self-developed microwave deployment plan agreed upon by both project director of CMHK.
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Zain: Winning the Future by Refarming Spectrum By Li Lanqing
audi Arabia is the largest country services. Opportunities and Challenges in the Middle East and the world’s Zain was established in Kuwait Zain focuses on mobile service and Sbiggest oil producer. Oil exports in 1983 and now operates in eight before its network transformation it had have made Saudi Arabia a very wealthy countries across the Middle East and GSM, UMTS and HSPA networks. At the country with high per-capita income. Africa. Zain acquired Saudi Arabia’s end of 2011, Zain’s voice network covered Saudi Arabia has 54.8 million mobile third GSM license in July 2007 and more than 400 cities and 59 highways. users and mobile phone penetration began constructing a GSM network in Because of its short development history, rate of more than 180 per cent. In this August 2008. It has become the third Zain lags behind rivals in network high-end communication market, users largest mobile operator in Saudi Arabia coverage and number of sites. In the next are concerned about network quality, and had about 10 million users at the few years, the company has to invest new technologies, and high-speed data end of 2011. a huge amount of capital to rapidly expand its network and catch up with its competitors. Use of Zain’s broadband services tripled in 2011 compared with the previous year; however, Zain still only has a small share of the whole broadband market in Saudi Arabia, and there is huge development potential for the company. According to reports from international consulting company Ovum, Zain is growing rapidly and has grabbed market share from the other two mobile operators in Saudi Arabia. Zain has pressured its competitors to retain their existing customers and vie for new ones. In early 2011, Saudi Arabia’s three major operators began constructing LTE networks at the same time. The arrival of the 4G era gives Zain the opportunity to compete from the same starting line. However, the challenge for Zain is to make full use of existing resources to build a high-quality,
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more efficient, more flexible network that can smoothly evolve into 4G.
Network Modernization In the region where the ZTE project will be completed, Zain owns 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum for GSM networks and 2100 MHz spectrum for a UMTS network, but there is no idle spectrum for LTE. Zain needs a solution to this problem so that 2G, 3G and 4G networks can coexist. In addition, Zain’s original network architecture and equipment was outdated, expensive to maintain, and could not smoothly evolve to 4G. Given this, Zain turned to ZTE for a wireless modernization solution.
Unified spectrum and capacity expansion for 2G network Originally, Zain had 471 GSM sites that used the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrums. Zain significantly expanded the capacity of its 900 MHz GSM sites from S222 to S444 or S666, and at the same time, cleaned the original 1800 MHz GSM sites and transferred users to the 900 MHz network. After modernization, there were 671 GSM sites, all of which used the 900 MHz spectrum. speed reached 27.83 Mbps. number of modules needed for the same configuration. This significantly reduces Expanding capacity for the 3G network Win the Future network construction costs. There were originally 145 UMTS 2.1G Through network modernization, The solution allows 2G, 3G and 4G sites with a maximum download speed Zain created an all-IP network and saved networks to share towers, power supply, of 7.2 Mbps. After modernization, there transmission resources. SDR base stations protectors, and transmission facilities and were 395 3G sites, of which 303 were based on ZTE’s Uni-RAN platform were enables antennas and feeders to be reused upgraded to DC HSPA+ with a maximum used to converge 2G, 3G and 4G networks when upgrading from1800 MHz to LTE. download speed of 42 Mbps. and to support smooth evolution from 2G Through network modernization, Zain and 3G to 4G. This helps Zain quickly has solved the problems associated with Core coverage for 4G enhance network performance and roll spectrum shortage and has optimized its The original 1800 MHz GSM out new services. network architecture. Overall, Zain has spectrum was released for the FDD ZTE’s macro base stations have significantly improved the quality of its LTE network, and 150 FDD LTE sites single-carrier power of 40W/TRX and network and gained a competitive edge in with a bandwidth of 10 Mbps were cover a wide area, which reduces the the market. The 2G, 3G and 4G multilevel deployed in dense urban areas. Tests number of required base stations. The network better meets the needs of the showed that the network’s downlink base stations have a unique dual-PA market and positions Zain well for the speed reached 74.7 Mbps and its uplink macro base station module that halves the future.
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ZTE: Leading R&D on 100G and Beyond January 28, 2013 Source: Light Reading TV
Zhensheng Jia, Ph. D. Assistant Director and SMTS of Optical Labs, ZTE USA
R’s Todd Townsend recently interviewed Dr. Jia Zhensheng, Lassistant director and senior member of technical staff (SMTS) Todd Townsend of Optical Labs, ZTE USA. Dr. Jia LRTV introduced the technical advantages of 100G products, especially the DSP and SD-FEC modules. He also talked about field deployments worldwide and Dr. Jia: The 40G ecosystem is not that unstable. By contrast, 100G is a single pioneering achievements in 400G and healthy as a result of frequent changes technology directly aimed at PM-QPSK 1T research. in technology. Take modulation formats and all the 100G standards are ready for example. We have everything from for mass deployment. We know that LR: What are the technical PSBT, DPSK, and DQPSK all the way 100G provides much higher capacity advantages of 100G over 40G, and up to coherent QPSK. Standardization than 40G and significantly reduces what possibilities does 100G open has also been missing from the operational cost for carriers if they up for operators? beginning, and the supply chain is scale up their infrastructure. More and
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More and more operators have already decided to skip over 40G and deploy 100G. We believe that 100G era is coming and is going to take off.
more operators have already decided LR: What R&D is ZTE doing on deployed 100G products for operators to skip over 40G and deploy 100G. We beyond 100G? such as China Telecom, China Unicom, believe that 100G era is coming and is Dr. Jia: ZTE has put great effort into China Mobile, China Education going to take off. 400G and 1T R&D. In September Network, TATA Communications, last year, we released the news at and Hong Kong PCCW. ZTE has LR: What advantages does ZTE the European Conference on Optical achieved the longest transmission have in 100G? Communication that we had succeeded distance, highest receiver sensitivity, Dr. Jia: ZTE has always been at with single-carrier PM-QPSK, which and fastest provisioning time in recent the forefront of optical transmission makes 400G single-carrier ultralong- tests with China Telecom and China technology. After the release of sample haul transmission possible. With Mobile. In October 2012, ZTE and 100G products at the end of 2009, Deutsche Telecom, we transmitted 2450 T-Mobile finished deploying 100G ZTE launched the first commercial km of mixed 100G, 400G, and 1 terabit on T-Mobile’s existing 10G backbone products in 2011. We think ZTE has signals over the optical infrastructure network in Austria. ZTE has also been influential in three key areas. in Germany, which includes eight started deploying 100G on the China The first area is coherent detection nodes. We also transmitted 24 Tbit Education Network. with DSP capability. ZTE pioneered DWDM signals and achieved the In our field trials with DT, we the use of a 40 nm process for highest single channel rate (11.2 Tbit/s) acquired quantitative knowledge excellent channel equalization and using superchannel technology. These about the trade-off between data longer transmission distance. The achievements were the first of their kind rate and transmission distance. We second area is soft-decision forward- in the industry. also acquired knowledge about the error correction (SD-FEC). ZTE We have released seven practical trade-off between implementation implemented 15% turbo-product code 400G and 1T prototypes aimed at complexity and spectrum efficiency. (TPC) SD-FEC on the 100G MSA different application areas for customers. We think these experiences have transponder to achieve 1500 km or As the leading industry innovator, we been critical for allowing operators to more transmission distance. This have filed patents on optical modules, strategically scale their networks into can result in 11.1 dB net coding gain. algorithms, framing, and system future backbones. The third area is flexible aggregation optimization. ZTE is a leader in beyond-100G and large cross-connect. We can R&D. We believe that we will keep cross connect and aggregate 3.2 Tbit LR: How will ZTE products be up this momentum and continue to client signals of any granularity, from used in 100G and beyond? lead the industry in developing optical ODU0, ODU1 all the way up to ODU4 Dr. Jia: ZTE has completed dozens of transport systems to support customer ODU flex signals. tests on 100G and has commercially needs.
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Legacy Service Inheritance in By Jiang Yonghu and Lu Wei VoLTE
oice over LTE (VoLTE) services such as prepaid, VPN, and delivers packet-switched voice personal ring-back. When VoLTE and Vand multimedia services over IMS are introduced into a network, an LTE network. The IR.92 standard for mobile operators need to guarantee that Multimedia VoLTE, defined by GSMA, uses a subset Service customers can still use legacy services. of IMS functions. Better user experience The main challenges of legacy services requires high-quality interactions in VoLTE are: ● between multimedia services, LTE LTE User the existing SCP has been in IMS transport networks, IMS, and legacy Network Experience service for several years. It is hard services. Enhancing user experience is a to modify the SCP and use an IP- core strategy of operators. based ISC interface to interact with
Legacy the IMS network and provide legacy Challenges Service services for users. When evolving from 2G and 3G ● legacy services are delivered by to LTE, the same phone numbers are different SCPs that have different usually retained so that users can enjoy service logics or different custom- new IMS and LTE multimedia services Figure 1. Service concept with LTE and IMS. made features. Therefore it is but continue to have legacy 2G and 3G difficult to do interoperating testing
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(IOT) with each SCP.
● operators have invested heavily in Legacy SCP legacy SCP platforms, so they don’t want to reinvest any more when introducing IMS and VoLTE. The PPS VPN NP ideal solution is to reuse the legacy
IN system and use a simple data SCP needs to be upgraded to support configuration on SCP but do not ISC the ISC interface upgrade software or change service logic or IN interfaces. S-CSCF Legacy Services in VoLTE
SCP upgrade Figure 2. SCP upgrade solution. To interact with S-CSCF, the existing SCP platform needs to be upgraded to support the ISC interface. S-CSCF triggers legacy services to SCP Legacy SCP No need to upgrade the IN system according to the standard IMS traffic flow. This is the simplest and most PPS VPN NP standard way that legacy services are CAP1/2/3 SINAP (23.078) Reusing the existing CS core network inherited. Overlay mechanism IM-SSF MGCF SCP reuse or MSCs iFC for CAP based services SCP reuse involves IM-SSF ISC ISC iFC for SINP based services
functionality and an overlay mechanism. S-CSCF The IM-SSF defined in 3GPP TS 23.218 provides IP multimedia service switching, which mediates service Figure 3. SCP reuse solution. requests between IMS legacy service delivery platforms, such as INSCP. When interconnecting the legacy full use of the existing infrustructure, Conclusion network, the IM-SSF supports standard an overlay mechanism is also used for Inheriting legacy services is an important protocols such as CAMEL, INAP and legacy services. The existing MGCF requirement when introducing VoLTE into MAP. Vendor-specific protocols are also or MSCs are used as SSP to trigger the network. Operators need to take into supported. From an IMS perspective, legacy services (Fig. 3). This avoids consideration investment, impact on network IM-SSF is just a SIP application server. interoperating testing of the IMS system operation and end users, and services to be IM-SSF acts as an SIP back-to-back and SCP platform. inherited. An ideal legacy service inheritance user agent (SIP B2BUA) and breaks In SCP reuse, existing IN services solution should have minimal impact on the call coming from the originating can be reused by IMS users without existing network and users, and it should party. It creates a new call leg towards the need to upgrade the legacy SCP. protect operator investment. ZTE supports the terminating party. This allows Only some modifications are made to all the abovementioned solutions for legacy modifications to be made on the session. SCP. Multiple IN services can also be service inheritance in VoLTE. The solutiuon From a gsmSCF perspective, IM-SSF triggered by S-CSCF in one session. based on IMS-SSF has been successfully acts similar to a GSM SSF. To minimize This means that multiple iFCs are deployed by CSL, a leading mobile operator modifications on the network and make subscribed in HSS. in Hong Kong.
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