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PTN based mobile backhauling

Jan. 2011
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Table of content
Introduction 3
Next-generation mobile backhauling is all about data 3
Mobile backhauling evolution steps 4-5
Mobile backhauling using MPLS / MPLS-TP 6-7
Orckit-Corrigent PTN solution enables MPLS / MPLS-TP based
mobile backhauling
8-9
Orckit-Corrigent PTN products enable MPLS / MPLS-TP based
mobile backhauling
9-10
Summary 11
List of figures
Figure #1: Legacy split access 4
Figure #2: Legacy backhaul 5
Figure #3: Split access 5
Figure #4: Pure packet 6
Figure #5: CSG/ASG usage in PTN mobile backhauling 6
Figure #6: HSG/ASG usage in PTN mobile backhauling 7
Figure #7: E2E mobile backhauling solution 8
Figure #8: PTN solution traffic flow 9
List of photos
Photo #1: Orckit-Corrigent CM-4140 PTN switch 9
Photo #2: Orckit-Corrigent CM-401x PTN access portfolio 10
Introduction
One of the most important growth engines for mobile operators is their ability
to offer any type of content. Massive delivery of internet and TV content is
impacting the mobile backhauling infrastructure that was originally built to
handle voice traffic. The roadmap to fulfill the clear needs and vision includes
technical challenges such as how to deliver significantly more data while
preserving the synchronous nature of the network and how to perform phased
migration from a TDM network to a packet
TP technologies that are adopted by fixed
field-proven and cost effective basis for Packet Transport Network (PTN)
based mobile backhauling.
Next-generation mobile backhauling is all about data
Fixed-line mature network solutions are suitable for the new mobile
arena
Five years ago CDMA technology enabled SMS with few kpbs, than HSPA
technology enabled web and email surfing with bandwidth limitation of ~
100kbps. Next-generation mobile broadband
enable real-time multimedia with bandwidth requirements of more than
1000kbps.
The movement from the voice era with its TDM backhauling to the data era
decoupled the network costs from its revenues. As a result, scaling up
bandwidth over the existing PDH/SDH infrastructure cannot satisfy mobile
operators business case.
One of the most important growth engines for mobile operators is their ability
to offer any type of content. Massive delivery of internet and TV content is
impacting the mobile backhauling infrastructure that was originally built to
he roadmap to fulfill the clear needs and vision includes
technical challenges such as how to deliver significantly more data while
preserving the synchronous nature of the network and how to perform phased
migration from a TDM network to a packet-based network. MPLS and MPLS
TP technologies that are adopted by fixed-line service providers are offering a
proven and cost effective basis for Packet Transport Network (PTN)
based mobile backhauling.
generation mobile backhauling is all about data
line mature network solutions are suitable for the new mobile
Five years ago CDMA technology enabled SMS with few kpbs, than HSPA
technology enabled web and email surfing with bandwidth limitation of ~
generation mobile broadband technologies, such as LTE,
time multimedia with bandwidth requirements of more than
The movement from the voice era with its TDM backhauling to the data era
decoupled the network costs from its revenues. As a result, scaling up
idth over the existing PDH/SDH infrastructure cannot satisfy mobile
operators business case.
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One of the most important growth engines for mobile operators is their ability
to offer any type of content. Massive delivery of internet and TV content is
impacting the mobile backhauling infrastructure that was originally built to
he roadmap to fulfill the clear needs and vision includes
technical challenges such as how to deliver significantly more data while
preserving the synchronous nature of the network and how to perform phased
twork. MPLS and MPLS-
line service providers are offering a
proven and cost effective basis for Packet Transport Network (PTN)
line mature network solutions are suitable for the new mobile
Five years ago CDMA technology enabled SMS with few kpbs, than HSPA
technology enabled web and email surfing with bandwidth limitation of ~
technologies, such as LTE,
time multimedia with bandwidth requirements of more than
The movement from the voice era with its TDM backhauling to the data era
decoupled the network costs from its revenues. As a result, scaling up
idth over the existing PDH/SDH infrastructure cannot satisfy mobile
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The data and Ethernet potential at mobile networks is well described by
industry analysts, for example:
Traffic measurement company Comscore find out that iPhone users consume two to
four times as much network data volume as other smartphone users
Analyst firm OVUM expects Ethernet to capture 50% of wireless backhaul technology
at 2013
Analyst firm HeavyReading expects mobile backhauling application to capture 17% of
Carrier Ethernet infrastructure market at 2011
Analyst firm Infonetics expects Ethernet copper and fiber to capture 32%, or $3B at
2011 from mobile backhauling equipment revenues
Mobile backhauling evolution steps
Transforming a TDM network to a Packet Transport Network
Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) is providing guidelines for implementing mobile
backhauling network that is based on PTN. The mobile backhaul network is
placed between the radio Network Controllers (NC) and the radio access
Base Station (BS).
MPLS / MPLS-TP based PTN with circuit emulation technologies for the
delivery of TDM leased-line services over packet are successful
implementation.
Scenario 1a: legacy split access
In the basic use-case there are two parallel networks that transport different
types of mobile traffic: the MPLS / MPLS based PTN role is to carry all the
new data traffic and the legacy TDM network is remained untouched.
This is appropriate in cases where the mobile operator intends to offload low
priority, high bandwidth traffic from the legacy network.
Figure #1: Legacy split access
Scenario 1b: legacy backhaul
When the Packet Transport Network is stable and reliable, an upgrade to the
PTN eliminates the need to maintain the legacy TDM network. Radio access
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nodes with legacy interfaces transport all traffic over the PTN that is using
circuit emulation technologies in order to deliver TDM over packet services.
The outcome is a unified mobile backhauling that is using GIF that
interconnects all the legacy equipment to the PTN.
Figure #2: Legacy backhaul
Scenario 2a: split access
This use case is similar to the legacy split access use case in the way the
Packet Transport Network is used to offload certain traffic, such as low priority
high bandwidth traffic, from the legacy network. The overlay legacy network
transport voice and delivers synchronization.
Here, the radio access network nodes are equipped with both Ethernet and
legacy interfaces. Therefore they can be connected directly to the UNI via an
Ethernet interface (eliminating the need for a GIF) and split the traffic: TDM
traffic to the legacy network and Ethernet traffic to the PTN.
Figure #3: Split access
Scenario 2b: pure packet
When the Packet Transport Network is stable and reliable, an upgrade to the
radio access network nodes eliminates the need to maintain the legacy TDM
network.
The new RAN nodes send all the traffic (now everything is over Ethernet) over
the PTN.
The outcome is a pure-packet mobile backhauling that is very similar to the
classic usage of Carrier Ethernet and MPLS / MPLS-TP by fixed-line service
providers.
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Figure #4: Pure packet
Mobile backhauling using MPLS / MPLS-TP
Delivering a future proof, scalable, and cost effective solution
MPLS and MPLS-TP technologies were originally built for service providers
need to deliver large amount of connection-oriented traffic with different QoS
types. Today, MPLS is the de-facto technology at metro aggregation networks
and it enables voice, video and data services. Leveraging mature and
scalable MPLS / MPLS-TP solutions from the fixed-line domain to the mobile
networks is lowering risks and costs.
Cell Site Gateway (CSG) usage: when fixed-line infrastructure reaches the
cell site, the mobile operator place a CSG that receives all the traffic from the
antennas and send it to an access network. The CSG is a multi-service
access switch and the gateway functionality means that number of E1 or
Ethernet services are encapsulated to Ethernet packets. From this point the
data packets need specific QoS and the network needs to preserve
synchronization.
At the other side of the mobile backhauling network, the controller needs to
receive and handle all the services that came from the antennas. Therefore,
another gateway, called Aggregation Site Gateway (ASG) is needed to de-
encapsulate all the Ethernet traffic and send it to the controller.
Figure #5 demonstrates the CSG/ASG scenario over PTN:
Figure #5: CSG/ASG usage in PTN mobile backhauling
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Hub Site Gateway (HSG) usage: CSG or even a switch is not always placed
at the cell site location. In some cases few access networks carry PDH traffic
(normally E1 services) and Ethernet traffic till the demarcation point where the
MPLS / MPLS-TP aggregation begins. In such cases, a relatively small
aggregation device is having a gateway functionality to encapsulate
PDH/SDH traffic and deliver it over the PTN. Therefore, such network element
is called Hub Site Gateway (HSG). The Ethernet traffic doesnt need the
gateway functionality and is simply being carried over MPLS / MPLS-TP PW
towards the controller.
At the aggregated PTN, MPLS / MPLS-TP based data packets need specific
QoS and the network needs to preserve synchronization.
At the other side of the mobile backhauling network, the controller needs to
receive and handle all the services that came from the antennas. Therefore,
another gateway, called Aggregation Site Gateway (ASG) is needed to de-
encapsulate all the PTN traffic and send it to the controller.
Figure #6 demonstrates the HSG/ASG scenario over PTN:
Figure #6: HSG/ASG usage in PTN mobile backhauling
The CSG and HSG scenarios demonstrate how MPLS / MPLS-TP with its
proven abilities to serve different types of services in PTN can be used easily
for mobile backhauling. The network scheme and services handling are
typical, and the powerful QoS, protection and OAM mechanisms are also
typical to classic aggregation networks. Therefore, the solution is robust,
scalable and cost effective.
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Orckit-Corrigent PTN solution enables MPLS / MPLS-TP based mobile
backhauling
A cost optimized, standard and interoperable MPLS solution with E1 till
STM-n services over packet
Orckit-Corrigent PTN solution is build from the CM-4000 small/medium/large
switching capacity switches for metro aggregation networks, CM-401x PTN
access switches, and CM-View network and services management system.
The carrier grade solution is based on standard Layer 2 MPLS and MPLS-TP
technologies, interoperable capabilities, a wide set of transport features and
cost optimization.
Figure #7: E2E mobile backhauling solution
For the specific needs of mobile backhauling, the solution includes:
A dense mixture of GE, 10GE and PDH/SDH interfaces that enables a
scalable and affordable solution
Synchronization technologies, including Synchronous Ethernet and IEEE
1588v2 that are required to deliver TDM services
TDM emulation protocols including CEP, SAToP and CESoP that
enables E1 services till STM-n services over MPLS network
ATM over packet and ATM cross-connect
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Figure #8: PTN solution traffic flow
Orckit-Corrigent PTN products enable MPLS / MPLS-TP based mobile
backhauling
CM-4140 PTN switch: a mobile backhauling HSG and ASG
CM-401x PTN access switches: a mobile backhauling CSG
Orckit-Corrigent CM-4140 is a PTN switch positioned for aggregation
networks. It is a standard Layer 2 MPLS / MPLS-TP and interoperable product
with a wide set of transport features, including Ethernet and TDM over packet
services and transport-class availability, synchronization and management.
The CM-4140 offers high switching capacity at small footprint with low power
consumption.
The CM-4140 ideally ts in 2G/3G/4G mobile networks as HSG and ASG due
to its cost point and abilities to deliver Ethernet services as well as low rate
and high rate TDM services over MPLS aggregation network.
Photo #1: Orckit-Corrigent CM-4140 PTN switch
HSG and ASG for mobile backhaul solution
Standard and interoperable Layer 2 MPLS / MPLS-TP
E1, STM-1/4/16 over packet
CEP, SAToP, CESoP
STM1/4 ATM
Synchronous Ethernet, IEEE 1588v2
168G switching capacity at 3RU footprint with 250W of power
consumption
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Orckit-Corrigent CM-401x PTN portfolio is a complete access solution for
mobile backhaul, legacy SDH and PDH migration, and enterprise CLE and
pre-aggregation applications. The CM-401x portfolio includes CM-4011, CM-
4012 and CM-4013 products and is fully compatible with the companys metro
aggregation products that include the CM-4140, CM-4206, and CM-
4314T/4314 chassis based PTN products, and the companys CM-View NMS
product. All CM-401x products deliver 16G of non blocking switching capacity
and are packed only in 1RU fixed configuration size.
The CM-401x portfolio is equipped with a broad mixture of Ethernet, PDH and
SDH interfaces and therefore fits to various networking scenarios and
increases network scalability. As packet transport solution, Ethernet, IP/MPLS
and MPLS-TP technologies are implemented in the CM-401x portfolio, as well
as standard and interoperable packet synchronization and circuit emulation
technologies.
Photo #2: Orckit-Corrigent CM-401x PTN access portfolio
Product
Packet Synchronization Circuit Emulation
Ethernet IP/MPLS MPLS-TP SyncE 1588v2 SAToP CEP
CM-4011 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
CM-4012 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
CM-4013 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Product
10/100/1000
FE/GE ports
GE
ports
STM-1/4
ports
E1
ports
CM-4011 8 6 0 16
CM-4012 8 6 0 63
CM-4013 8 6 4/1 63
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Summary
The vision for truly broadband and real-time content on mobile devices is
clear and the technical and economical challenges to fulfill this vision are
changing the mobile backhauling infrastructure. At the end of the road a
typical Packet Transport Network based on MPLS and MPLS-TP technologies
will carry all the traffic, and the phased migration from TDM based network to
a packet based network is achievable with synchronization and circuit
emulation technologies.
Orckit-Corrigent is offering a standard and interoperable PTN portfolio
including CSG/HSG/ASG products that are cost optimized and having the
capabilities to deliver both E1 and STM-n services over the aggregation
network. Implementing HSG and ASG is a single product simplifies the
solution and reducing costs. And implementing Layer 2 MPLS and MPLS-TP
with circuit emulation and synchronization technologies brings a complete,
field-proven and cost optimized solution for mobile backhauling networks that
need to deliver broadband content and services.
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Acronyms
ASG Aggregation Site Gateway
BS Base Station
CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
CEP Circuit Emulation over Packet
CESoP Circuit Emulation Service over Packet
CSG Cell Site Gateway
GIF Generic Interworking Function
HSG Hub Site Gateway
HSPA High Speed Packet Access
LTE Long Term Evolution
MEF Metro Ethernet Forum
MPLS Multi Protocol Label Switching
MPLS-TP Multi Protocol Label Switching Transport Profile
NC Network Controller
OAM Operation, Administration, and Maintenance
PDH Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy
PTN Packet Transport Network
QoS Quality of Service
RAN Radio Access Network
SAToP Structure-Agnostic TDM over Packet
SDH Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
SMS Short Message Service
TDM Time Division Multiplexing
UNI User Network Interface
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