Cost-Effective Cellular Aggregation for 3G Networks

Europe : At the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, RAD Data Communications will introduce a new family of ATM aggregation units for cellular backhauling applications.

 

RAD's new ACE-3200 and ACE-3400 aggregation devices are designed to accommodate the rapid expansion in cellular backhaul traffic that will inevitably result from the widespread deployment of 3G services. "Aggregation of E1/T1 lines is the ideal solution to simultaneously ensure the most economical allocation of backhauling resources and the delivery of dependable multiple 3G services to the customer," explains Gabriel Junowicz, Senior Business Development Manager for Cellular and Wireless Networks at RAD Data Communications.

Given the initial cost of UMTS services, not all mobile subscribers will be able or willing to upgrade immediately to 3G. "For that reason GSM will not be replaced overnight in one fell swoop, but, instead, will continue to co-exist side-by-side with 3G networks for many years to come," Junowicz predicts.

 

"Due to the lengthy transitional period between 2G and 3G, it will not be uncommon for 3G/Node Bs to be co-located at the same site along with 2G/BTS facilities," he notes. "A single aggregator for both generations of technologies will not only yield significant savings on CapEx and OpEx, but also will furnish cellular service providers with the flexibility and dexterity to move between CES and UNI/IMA."

 

The ACE-3200 and ACE-3400 aggregation devices are optimised to provide CES services over AAL1 in order to connect GSM equipment, as well as IMA to connect UMTS, both over ATM. This solution will allow operators to minimise costs by establishing Node Bs alongside 2G base stations and using the same transport network for all cellular services. The ACE-3X00 products will be able to aggregate traffic from several sites and transport them onto a single ATM link.

The ports on the ACE-3200 and ACE-3400 will be software-configurable as TDM or ATM (UNI or IMA), enabling operators to purchase one type of unit and adjust it as required for the co-existent environment. This feature frees both operator and carrier from having to anticipate in advance the number of ports required for each service and eliminates the need to maintain an inventory of alternative ports in order to respond to changes in demand for those services.

The ACE-3X00 products, moreover, can be ordered with either an ATM or Ethernet uplink. This protects the carrier's investment and a smooth 3G and even 4G migration path to next generation backhauling over IP/MPLS networks.

 

The ACE-3200 aggregates E1s at BTS/Node B locations, dramatically reducing the number of E1 lines that the operator will need for backhaul. It can also be deployed by carriers at their points of presence (POPs) to economise the simultaneous provisioning of backhauling services to different cellular operators. The product can be ordered with either 8 or 16 ports.

 

The ACE-3400 will be available later this year. A modular device, it can be ordered to accommodate either 32 or 63 E1 or 42 or 84 T1 ports and, is specifically designed for deployment at the carrier POP or the mobile RNC site. The product's cards are hot swappable so as to provide service continuity. "RAD's ACE-3X00 solutions will offer the best performance at the best price available anywhere in the market," states Ilan Tevet, ATM Product Line Manager at RAD Data Communications. "They will make a major contribution in making 3G more affordable to operators and customers alike," he concludes.