IP Backhaul Solutions
Overview
With the rapid increase in data traffic on 3G networks, in the last few
years; mobile operators have seen their wireless backhaul expenses increase
substantially. According to the Yankee Group, leased-line OPEX associated with
mobile backhaul is the single largest expense, accounting for up to 30% of
overall OPEX. This expense can be expected to further increase with LTE
deployments around the corner; which as per a Gartner study, would require 1
Gbps of backhaul capacity – three or four times the capacity available at a
typical NodeB today. Simultaneously, with the revenue per bit decreasing
rapidly, leading operators are actively evaluating options to define their
backhaul migration strategies.
As part of the migration strategy, operators need to ensure smooth operation
and migration of their legacy 2G and 3G networks which work on older non-IP
based technologies such as PDH, SONET/SDH and ATM. While multiple backhaul
transport options are available to operators, Carrier Ethernet provides the best
alternative. Gartner estimates that in a typical metropolitan setting for LTE,
Carrier Ethernet based solutions can provide savings of 50% or more over
equivalent SONET/SDH based approaches.
Aricent offers equipment manufacturers a turnkey solution to build complete
networking equipment systems for IP-based Mobile Backhaul solutions including IP
RAN Aggregation Devices, Data Offload Switches and Gateways, Metro Ethernet
Switches and Carrier Ethernet Switch Routers. Aricent’s unique value proposition
is based on field-proven software components complemented by a complete set of
product lifecycle services, which effectively reduce the product development
cycle time and R&D expenses for equipment manufacturers while accelerating
time-to-market for their products.
Select Customer Engagements
Customer Challenges
Vendors building Carrier Ethernet based IP Backhaul equipment face multiple
challenges including the need for:
- A Single Integrated Platform – A single integrated
platform which supports the transport of multiple legacy backhaul
technologies such as TDM (SONET/SDH/PDH) and ATM over a Carrier Ethernet
network provides operators with the flexibility to transport voice as well
as data traffic over a single platform.
- High Performance – As the mobile backhaul network is
required to transport traffic such as voice, strict adherence to defined
performance parameters such as delay budget and packet loss rate is
critical.
- Synchronization – Support for clock synchronization over
Carrier Ethernet is a key requirement for cellular networks to enable smooth
operation of mobile devices, both during normal usage as well as during
handoffs.
- High Availability – The backhaul solution must adhere to
the “five nines” availability requirement expected from carrier networking
equipment.
Aricent Capabilities
- Industry proven IP/Ethernet software solution – Aricent
provides a complete software development framework - Intelligent Switching
Solution (ISS) as well as individual protocol stacks - which provide the
building blocks for enabling IP-based backhaul products.
- Support for multiple network processors and hardware platforms
– Aricent solutions have been optimized for performance across multiple
network processors and hardware platforms. This capability is built through
our ecosystem which includes strategic partners like Wintegra, Marvell,
Agere-LSI, Broadcom, Cavium, Accton, Flextronics amongst others.
- Advanced feature-set support – Features supported include
spanning tree algorithms, OAM capabilities, Ethernet in the First Mile
(EFM), Provider Backbone Bridges (PBB), PBB Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE),
virtualization of switching components, fault tolerance and high
availability, which enable ISS to be used in a wide variety of IP backhaul
equipment.
- Breadth of service offerings – Aricent services for IP
backhaul solutions range from technical consulting to product definition,
design, development, prototyping, integration, end-to-end testing and
maintenance.
Key Benefits
Optimal re-use of existing architecture – Optimal re-use of
existing architectures is ensured by implementing packet transport technologies
that co-exist with the traditional circuit switched networks.
Accelerated time to market – Accelerate time to market with
the field tested and proven Aricent ISS-Metro switching solution, and a highly
skilled resource pool that can be quickly ramped up on R&D projects.
Reduced R&D expenses – Licensable software solutions help
OEMs significantly reduce R&D expenses by decreasing the overall product
development cycle time and by utilizing cost effective remote test execution
models.
Improved interoperability and product performance – Aricent
offers pre-certification services to validate products for MEF-9 & MEF-14
Carrier Ethernet conformance and multi-vendor interoperability tests. Aricent
also provides advanced testing services including product performance
benchmarking.
Flexible business models – Aricent offers multiple flexible
engagement models such as time and material, dedicated development facility and
price-performance based models, tailored to meet specific needs of customers.