LTE Backhaul

Aricent Reduces R&D Expenses on IP Backhaul Product for a Leading US Vendor by over 40%

A leading telecom equipment vendor in the US needed to build and integrate an IP/GigE Ethernet based solution that provided Metro Ethernet compatibility and added support for MPLS Pseudowires to their existing T1/ E1/ ATM based RAN aggregator. This complex network element had to be developed and deployed within stringent budget constraints while meeting aggressive timelines. Additionally, the company had to maintain compatibility with existing networks, while at the same time ensuring that the final product helped establish them as the leader in the overcrowded IP backhaul market.

Aricent Solution

Aricent worked closely with the client to co-create a backhaul solution for the CDMA2000 network by adding GigE/ IP/ Metro Ethernet Capabilities to the RAN aggregation box. Key components included:

  • Layer 2/ Layer 3 Switching
  • Metro Ethernet - E-LMI, E-OAM
  • Support for TDM/ MC-MLPPP
  • FE/ T1/ E1 towards RAN
  • GigE/ T1/ E1 towards backhaul
  • SNMP/ web-based management and network E-OAM/ E-LMI for monitoring/ autoprovisioning

In terms of quality assurance, Aricent was responsible for:

  • Testing on multiple topologies sharing the test equipment
  • Generating triple play traffic to test QoS using STC’s IPTV Video Quality module
  • Performance testing using Spirent’s Layer4-7 Avalanche test suite
  • Generating hundreds of hosts to recreate a real network
  • Setting up overnight automatic build verification with sanity tests
  • Automated CLI tests

Results

  • Aricent’s solution helped the customer accelerate the time to market by 30% and reduce R&D expenses by 40%
  • By leveraging its strong relationships with other ecosystem partners, Aricent efficiently aligned its development cycle with the availability of modules from other suppliers, further accelerating the development timelines
  • Aricent’s proven expertise, deep domain knowledge, and the ability to quickly adapt to the changing requirements reduced the risk associated with the new product’s development.