What is Wireless Backhaul?
Wireless backhaul is a crucial component of modern telecommunications networks. It refers to the technology and infrastructure that enables the transportation of data and voice traffic between access points, such as cell towers or Wi-Fi hotspots, and the core network.
In simpler terms, it is the link that connects the end users to the main network. Achieving multi-gigabit bandwidths and fiber-like speed is possible with millimeter wave technology like Siklu’s. Enabling wireless backhaul in hundreds of cities around the world, Siklu has established itself as a de-facto leader in delivering gigabit speeds at unbeatable price/Mbps.
Telecom integrators and system operators can ensure consistent performance, even when faced with unpredictable demands, by utilizing wireless backhaul with speeds of up to 10 Gbps in both directions. Siklu combines the protected mmWave frequency with narrow pencil-beam technology to effectively eliminate interference issues. In addition, mounting the Siklu radios on high towers is not necessary, providing local administrators with peace of mind regarding interference. This advantage remains even as the physical landscape of the community changes over time.
Wireless backhaul is crucial for connecting remote or hard-to-reach areas where laying traditional wired infrastructure is challenging or costly. This is commonly-referred to as closing the digital divide.
Wireless backhaul offers flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional wired solutions. It enables faster deployment, seamless connectivity, and allows for easy expansion of network coverage.
Common technologies used for wireless backhaul include microwave, millimeter wave, and more.
Challenges of wireless backhaul include spectrum congestion, signal interference, weather conditions, and the need for proper network planning to ensure optimal performance.
Factors to Consider in Designing Wireless Backhaul Networks
When designing a wireless backhaul network, several key factors need to be taken into consideration:
Frequency Band and Coverage Area
Choosing the right frequency band is crucial for a wireless backhaul network. Different frequency bands have varying characteristics, such as range, throughput, and susceptibility to interference. It is important to select a frequency band that aligns with your network’s requirements and minimizes the chance of interference from other wireless devices or networks in the vicinity.
In addition, determining the coverage area and capacity requirements is critical when determining the tech that will be deployed to support the wireless backhaul network. This involves assessing the geographical area that needs to be covered and understanding the amount of data traffic that the network needs to handle. By accurately analyzing these factors, you can choose the appropriate equipment and technologies that will meet your network’s needs.
To streamline this process, Siklu has created a Link Budget Calculator. The Siklu Link Budget Calculator is a powerful tool that enables network designers to accurately calculate the link budget of their wireless backhaul network. It takes into account various parameters such as the transmit power, antenna gain, cable loss, and receiver sensitivity to determine the overall link budget. By inputting these values into the calculator, designers can gain valuable insights into the estimated performance and coverage of their network.
Multi-gigabit Bandwidth
The capacity of the wireless link is essential to support the increasing demand for data and voice traffic. It is important to ensure that the backhaul network has sufficient bandwidth to handle the expected traffic volume. Gigabit-speed connectivity is now expected in most modern, developed areas where remote schooling and work is the new norm.
The Siklu EH-8010FX operates over the interference-free 71-76/81-86GHz E-Band spectrum, with a total of 10GHz of bandwidth for use worldwide. By using a high-gain pencil-beam antenna, this helps guarantee spectrum will be available everywhere and maximizes spectrum re-use. Additionally, E-band systems are governed by low licensing fees and quick licensing processes.
Low Latency
Low latency is crucial for real-time applications, such as voice and video calls, as well as online gaming. Designing a backhaul network with low latency helps to provide a seamless user experience and increase customer retention. In addition, security applications like 4/8K multi-imager cameras relying on wireless networks cannot risk downtime or stoppages nor slow data transmission due to latency issues.
Lastly, video security networks are mission-critical and as such the networks that support them must meet strict requirements. Siklu solutions, with MTBFs measured in decades, deliver reliable video streams with zero packet loss and virtually zero interference.
Security and Reliability
The wireless backhaul network should be designed with redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure high availability. This includes considering factors such as link security and backup power systems. Intercepting a wireless signal is extremely difficult, and the narrow beam angles of mmWave make jamming or “tapping” into the wireless signal almost impossible without detection. mmWave systems are also much less susceptible to wireless hacking than sub-6 GHz wireless networks. Siklu systems are further secured with 128 or 256-bit AES encryption and secure user access via SSH – all of which mitigates known risks and guards against potential new ones.
Scalability
As network traffic and subscriber base grow over time, the wireless backhaul network should be scalable to accommodate the increasing demand. Planning for future scalability from the outset helps to avoid costly network upgrades in the future.
For instance, a Siklu network can effortlessly accommodate more services as infrastructure coverage expands. An operator will have enough network capacity to utilize full frame rates, resolutions, and streams in their video systems, thereby maximizing camera investment in security projects. Additionally, it is easier to scale to additional locations with a wireless backhaul compared to installing more fiber connections.
The Siklu SmartHaul™ Wireless Network Design Engine (WiNDE) automates the various tasks involved in creating a complete wireless backhaul network using millimeter wave technology. Integrating WiNDE into an operator’s planning system takes only a few days, while traditional tools can take weeks or even months. This engine reduces complex work and tedious details from days to just hours.
Wireless Backhaul Networks Cost Advantages
Topology Design Optimized for Cost or Performance
SmartHaul™ WiNDE supports both traditional Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) designs and our MultiHaul Terragraph (MH TG) mesh topologies. The app analyzes numerous design options in an iterative process to optimize the network for performance or cost. It can incorporate various combinations of P2MP, Point-to-Point (P2P), rings, mesh, fiber-links, single- or multi-PoP wireline interfaces. The resulting designs are displayed in visual and numerical formats, making it easy to evaluate the outcomes. SmartHaul™ WiNDE is an excellent tool for optimizing wireless backhaul networks.
Sectors & Azimuths, Channels, Polarization Analysis
WiNDE efficiently assigns frequencies to sectors and point-to-point links in order to use the fewest channels possible. It also calculates the noise levels on all links to create a design that is free from interference and achieves the desired performance levels. This is particularly useful for wireless backhaul solutions.
OPEX Reduction
Centralized fault management offers a convenient list of current and past alarms, enabling quick network troubleshooting and prompt problem-solving. Performance management provides real-time and historical measurements, allowing a comprehensive understanding of the network’s current status and its components. This ensures fast and complete insight into your wireless backhaul network. Configuration management grants direct access to each element, with user-friendly GUI or CLI access links. This makes it effortless to navigate any radio without the need to remember IP addresses or other credentials.
All of these unique features contribute to an OPEX reduction, requiring fewer resources and less time from the wireless network designer and operators to maintain the network.
Wireless Backhaul Networks Recapped
In conclusion, designing a reliable wireless backhaul network requires careful consideration of several key factors. Firstly, it is essential to choose the right frequency band and technology that aligns with the specific needs and requirements of the network. Secondly, conducting a thorough site survey and assessing the terrain and potential obstacles will help in determining the optimal placement of the wireless backhaul equipment.
Additionally, implementing proper security measures and redundancy protocols will enhance the reliability and resilience of the network.
Lastly, regular monitoring and maintenance should be prioritized to ensure optimal performance and address any potential issues promptly. By taking these factors into account and leveraging top-of-the-line design engines like Siklu’s WiNDE, network designers can create a robust and dependable wireless backhaul network that meets the demands of today’s connectivity requirements.
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