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ECLIPSE PACKET NODE IN THE

MOBILE NETWORK ANSI

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Base stations that can connect devices at up to 50 Mbit/s or more will be operational within the next few years. For the
backhaul network, the extra capacity needed and the mix of services to support legacy 2G and emerging 3G and 4G
technologies will require changes in the technology used—IP/Ethernet will be the transport technology of choice.
This paper introduces the technologies for transitioning wireless backhaul networks to Ethernet, and the transport and
TM
management solutions provided by Eclipse Packet Node from Aviat Networks.

September 23,
2010
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 1 

SUMMARY................................................................................................................................................. 3 
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 3 
ECLIPSE PACKET NODE......................................................................................................................... 4 
PLATFORM ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 
EXTENDED ODU AND RFU OPTIONS .................................................................................................................... 5 
PLATFORM INTEROPERATION ............................................................................................................................... 6 
OPERATIONAL MODES ............................................................................................................................................ 6 

TDM ONLY ......................................................................................................................................... 6 

MIXED-MODE TDM+ETHERNET ..................................................................................................... 6 
MLPPP................................................................................................................................................ 7 
ALL-ETHERNET ................................................................................................................................ 7 
NETWORK RESILIENCE ........................................................................................................................................... 7 

PLATFORM PROTECTION ............................................................................................................... 8 

LINK/PATH PROTECTION ................................................................................................................ 8 
INTERFACE PROTECTION .............................................................................................................. 8 
NETWORK PROTECTION ................................................................................................................ 8 
ETHERNET FEATURES ............................................................................................................................................ 8 

SWITCH CAPACITY .......................................................................................................................... 8 

TRAFFIC SHAPING ........................................................................................................................... 8 
THROUGHPUT OPTIMIZATION ....................................................................................................... 9 
SYNCHRONIZATION ........................................................................................................................ 9 
LINK AGGREGATION ..................................................................................................................... 10 
ETHERNET INTERFACE PROTECTION ....................................................................................... 11 
CARRIER GRADE OPERATION..................................................................................................... 11 
CARRIER GRADE OAM .................................................................................................................. 11 
LINK CAPACITY AND SPECTRAL EFFICIENCY .................................................................................. 12 
ADAPTIVE CODING AND MODULATION .............................................................................................................. 12 
CO-CHANNEL DUAL POLARIZED LINKS (CCDP) ................................................................................................ 14 

STRONG SECURITY .............................................................................................................................. 15 

PAYLOAD ENCRYPTION ........................................................................................................................................ 16 
SECURE MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................................................ 16 
RADIUS CLIENT ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 

CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................... 16 

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................. 17 

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SUMMARY
Data services will grow to use more network capacity than voice. More network capacity translates to
more backhaul capacity. Coupled with this is the recognition that IP/Ethernet is the transport media of
choice for expanded backhaul services.
For many operators the introduction of Ethernet will be on the back of existing TDM network
connections given their huge investment in its infrastructure. This will typically involve gradual
migration using data overlay, with a decision at some future point to change to an all packet-based
network. The transition phases may well include instances where there is a need to transport Ethernet
alongside TDM, or Ethernet over TDM, and do so in a flexible, secure and cost efficient way.
Whatever the need, Eclipse Packet Node provides optimized solutions through its unique packet and
circuit switched architecture for Ethernet and TDM.
Assisting the upgrade route are Packet Node solutions for better spectrum efficiency. Using high-order
modulation, adaptive modulation and co-channel options, more traffic can be transported more
efficiently on existing channel bandwidths.
Carrier grade Ethernet performance is provided on an intelligent Layer 2 switch to ensure Ethernet
data transport is no less secure than for TDM. When coupled with advanced traffic prioritization, RSTP,
link aggregation, network synchronization, bandwidth optimization and traffic aggregation, there is a
Packet Node solution for all microwave network topologies.
Security is also a high profile issue. Although microwave radios have security-like features such as
scrambling, narrow beamwidth, proprietary airframe coding and other factors, it is not hard to break
given the expertise and intent. The Strong Security suite for Eclipse offers solutions for strict wireless
network protection through Payload Encryption, Secure Management, and RADIUS Client.
The backbone for this capability is the Eclipse INU where software applications and plug-in cards
upgrade existing Eclipse Node capabilities to Eclipse Packet Node. There is maximum retention of
existing Eclipse hardware and software, which equates to maximum value-add and minimum
disruption to existing services.
Finally, Eclipse comes with an assurance from Aviat Networks that value-adds will continue to become
available to existing and new Eclipse customers to deliver more features and more performance. It is a
promise of low-risk, low incremental cost, and a future-proof investment in Eclipse.

INTRODUCTION
Typically, a small number of DS1s has been sufficient to service 2G and 2.5G base stations, but with
the data capacity needed for advanced 3G and 4G HSPA/LTE applications, new technologies and
strategies are required.
This need for more capacity must be provided more intelligently, and more efficiently, especially so
where the backhaul networks are, or will be required to support multiple services and customers—not
just cellular mobile, and not just one operator. There is also a need to ensure service continuity for old
and new technologies, given that operators will want to maximize investments in existing 2G/3G
infrastructure.
Going forward, the most cost-effective backhaul technology to deliver
more capacity, more intelligently, is Carrier Ethernet. It provides the
scalability, flexibility and QoS features needed to provide a complete
solution—from the core to base stations.
In networks where wireless provides the backhaul, these
developments raise some issues. For example, how do you upgrade
wireless connections for more capacity? Do you increase capacity of

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current TDM links? Do you overlay with Ethernet for extra capacity? Do you move to all-Ethernet?
Whichever way is forward, there is a cost efficient solution using Eclipse. Of special note is that one
Eclipse Packet Node now supports up to six links and a programmable total nodal throughput of more
than 2 Gbit/s Ethernet, and up to 127xDS1 or 2xOC3.

ECLIPSE PACKET NODE

Eclipse Packet Node is the most flexible wireless platform for network migration. With a multi-link
capability, advanced features for high capacity packet transport and intelligent IP networking, coupled
with support for TDM, it delivers complete solutions for transitioning networks from TDM to IP.
At the heart of Eclipse Packet Node is a unique data packet plane (DPP) that operates independently
of the circuit-switched backplane. The DPP routes Ethernet traffic directly between its GigE switch and
packet radio modem(s) to deliver maximum payload efficiency with lowest latency. The backplane also
connects radio modem(s) to support hybrid mixed-mode operation and to access wider aggregation
and synchronization options. In combination, they optimize transport options for Ethernet and for
Ethernet+TDM.
Plug-in-card and software options ensure there is always the right option available to meet current and
projected needs. Cards are hot-swappable for easy reuse/relocation, as and when needed.
Packet Node features include:

• Advanced GigE switch with 1+1 redundancy options

• High-capacity links with QPSK to 256 QAM ACM and XPIC/CCDP options
• Advanced L1 and L2 link aggregation
• ML-PPP Ethernet over NxDS1
• Synchronous Ethernet
• Easy upgrades with low incremental cost
• Maximized flexibility and scalability for Ethernet or Ethernet +TDM
• Comprehensive OAM capabilities in conjunction with its ProVision EMS.

Figure 1. Packet Node High-level Architecture

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The data packet plane (DPP) supports multiple GigE connections with link capacities to 365 Mbit/s and
L1 throughputs to 450 Mbit/s.
The circuit plane (backplane) interoperates with the DPP to support native mixed mode Ethernet +
TDM, with PDH capacities up to 127xDS1. Mixed-mode operation accommodates a low-risk PDH now
and Ethernet tomorrow transport philosophy.

• Packet Node backplane connections support Ethernet plus Super-PDH, with capacities up to 200
Mbit/s or 127xDS1 in 1.5 Mbit/s / DS1 steps.

• DPP connections support up to 2 Gbit/s aggregated.

• DPP and/or backplane traffic is connected to one or more radio modem cards, which in turn
connect to an RF unit (ODU or IRU 600).

PLATFORM
Packet Node comprises the INU or INUe, with ODUs for split-mount
operation, or the IRU 600 for or all-indoor. The INU directly
supports up to three links; the INUe up to six.

• Operation on licensed bands 5 to 38 GHz

• Each link can be configured for an air-capacity to 365 Mbit/s

• With data optimization techniques, each supports L1

throughputs to 450 Mbit/s

• An INU or INUe is simply populated with the mix of cards

needed at any time to provide the required performance and
operation

• Equipment, cabling and rack space is dramatically reduced

• Cards are hot-pluggable for easy upgrading and maintenance

EXTENDED ODU AND RFU OPTIONS

There is a choice of two ODUs, or an all-indoor RFU.

• ODU 300hp for frequency bands 6 to 38 GHz

• ODU 300ep for 5 GHz

• IRU 600 all-indoor RFU for frequency bands 6 to 11 GHz

• Industry-leading system gain coupled with lowest power consumption

• 1+1 optimized
• Diplexer and filter based antenna coupler options
• Expansion port option
• Expandable to M+N configurations
• Air compatible with ODU 300hp

• ODU 300hp and IDU 600 are air-compatible on bands 6-11 GHz
These ODU and RFU options have been fine-tuned for the wider U.S. market. There is an optimized
solution for all platform preferences.

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PLATFORM INTEROPERATION
Eclipse Packet Node supports over-air linking with the Aviat Networks IDU GE 20x or IDU ES for edge-
of-network 1+0 connections. These IDUs are radio terminals, comprising an IDU and ODU; unlike
Eclipse Packet Node they have no multi-link capability. They can be used as a single link, or
networked where IDUs are back-to-back connected via their tributary ports at intermediate sites.
For IDU GE 20x a built-in Ethernet switch supports
capabilities similar to those on Eclipse Packet Node. On the
IDU ES the built-in switch function is more basic.

• Operation on licensed bands 6 to 38 GHz using ODU

300hp

• Configurable for air-capacities to 196 Mbit/s when air-interfaced to Eclipse Packet Node

• L1 throughputs to 243 Mbit/s

• Ethernet plus up to 20x DS1 trib circuits for IDU GE 20x, or up to 8xDS1 for IDU ES
Both IDU GE 20x and IDU ES provide powerful, cost-efficient solutions where the multi-link capabilities
of Eclipse Packet Node are not needed for last-mile connections.

OPERATIONAL MODES
Eclipse Packet Node supports link configurations for TDM only, Mixed-mode Ethernet + TDM, MLPPP
for Ethernet over NxDS1, or all-Ethernet. Transitioning from one mode to another is a straight-forward
process.

TDM ONLY
Eclipse supports link capacities to 127xDS1, 4xDS3, or 2xOC3.

MIXED-MODE TDM+ETHERNET
Hybrid mixed-mode transports native Ethernet side-by-side with TDM. It enables Ethernet to be
overlaid on a TDM network to meet the rapidly growing data demand. It means investments in existing
TDM infrastructure can be maximized, and the risks associated with the introduction of Ethernet
minimized. Network synchronization is maintained via the TDM connections, something not possible
with Ethernet without resort to purpose-built sync solutions.
The ratio of link capacity assigned between Ethernet and TDM can be changed at any time.

Figure 2. Mixed Mode

Adding Ethernet to an NxDS1 link simply requires installation of a GigE card, at which point an
operator can locally or remotely configure the capacity split between PDH and Ethernet in DS1 or 1.5
Mbit/s steps. It means Ethernet can be activated when and where needed in the network with minimal
disruption. There is no loss of transport efficiency when a mixed-mode link is ultimately migrated to an
all-Ethernet payload.

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When more data capacity is needed, Eclipse options include adaptive modulation, or link aggregation
with XPIC/CCDP to double or quadruple traffic bandwidth.
Figure 3 illustrates possible mixed-mode configurations. Capacities indicated are airlink capacities.

Figure 3. Mixed-mode Eclipse Packet Nodes

MLPPP
MLPPP (Multi-Link Point-to-Point Protocol) is based on PPP, a standards-based data-link-layer
protocol. MLPPP bonds multiple PPP connections to support one connection with a capacity totalling
the individual connections. With Eclipse, MLPPP is used to leverage existing capacity on legacy TDM
links whereby multiple DS1 circuits are bonded together to support one high-capacity connection for
Ethernet. It enables retention of end or mid-point legacy NxDS1 links (short or long term) within a
network during migration to Ethernet.

Figure 4. MLPPP, Ethernet Over Multiple DS1s

ALL-ETHERNET
Transition to all-Ethernet operation can be engineered at any time. The transition can be directly from
TDM, where TDM traffic is replaced by Ethernet, or from an intermediary mixed-mode solution, where
the TDM traffic is phased out in favour of Ethernet.

• Changing to all-Ethernet operation on existing Eclipse TDM links is a simple upgrade; an Ethernet
switch card is installed and the TDM interface card(s) removed.

• Changing from mixed-mode Ethernet+TDM to all-Ethernet only requires a configuration change. All
link capacity is simply directed to Ethernet, and the TDM interface card(s) removed.

• However, transition to all-Ethernet will require a sync solution where the supported equipment
requires a network-sourced clock reference. Eclipse supports various options. See
SYNCHRONIZATION.

NE TWORK RESILIE NCE

Eclipse Packet Node elements detect and recover from incidents without affecting priority users.
Protection options support user interfaces, links, platform and network.

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PLATFORM PROTECTION
INU platform management and power supply functions are protected using an optional protection card.

LINK/PATH PROTECTION
Protection options include hot-standby, space diversity, frequency diversity, or hybrid dual diversity.

INTERFACE PROTECTION
Card redundancy is used to provide comprehensive protection of Ethernet and TDM interfaces. A
second card of the same type is installed and configured so that traffic is transferred to the standby
card on failure of the operational card.

NETWORK PROTECTION
Network-based protection is provided for Ethernet and TDM.
Ethernet redundancy is supported on ring networks using RSTP, and on link-aggregated links.

• RSTP is enabled on Eclipse RWPR™, which accelerates industry-standard RSTP (802.1D-2004)

with a unique rapid failure detection (RFD) capability to provide reconvergence (service restoration)
times as low as 50 ms on wireless links.

• Link aggregation - sometimes referred to as N+0 protection. If one link fails, its traffic is directed
onto the remaining link(s), typically within 10 ms. If the remaining link(s) do not have the capacity
needed to avoid a traffic bottleneck, QoS settings are used to ensure higher priority traffic
continues to get through. Uniquely, Eclipse offers Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) link aggregation
options.
For TDM ring networks Eclipse Super PDH protects ring capacities to 100xDS1. Rings are
implemented by east/west facing links to form a closed loop. Both North Gateway or Any-to-Any ring
topologies are supported.

ETHERNET FEATURES
An extensive range of switch-based options support the transport, aggregation and protection of
Ethernet traffic, and the synchronization of devices supported from the network.

SWITCH CAPACITY
The GigE switch has both electrical 10/100/1000Base-T and optical 1000Base-LX ports. Optical SFPs
are available for 1300nm single or multimode, or 850nm multimode.

• One DAC GE3 in an Eclipse INUe supports an aggregate capacity to 2+ Gbit/s - one DAC GE3
directly supports up to six separate radio links.

• The switch has three RJ-45 and two optical SFP front panel ports, plus six backplane ports. The
front panel ports are for user-connections and direct Data Packet Plane (DPP) connection to high
capacity radio modem cards. The backplane ports also provide connection to radio modem cards.

• There is full bi-directional support for Jumbo frames to 10 Kbytes.

TRAFFIC SHAPING
Traffic shaping and prioritization tools provide a means to efficiently manage traffic transiting Eclipse
links. They particularly apply where available Ethernet bandwidth can be oversubscribed to ensure
high priority traffic continues to get through – at the expense of lower priority traffic. Tools provided by
Eclipse Packet Node include:

• Queue management on 136 Kbytes of memory for each ingress/egress port pairing to provide
good balance between burst management and latency.

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• Priority Mapping options on ports and on 802.1p and DiffServ tags to shape packet access to
available bandwidth. Eight QoS queues per port maximize flexibility for transporting different traffic
types with related priorities.

• Priority Scheduling with extended options for WRR, strict, and hybrid WRR + strict.

• Traffic Classification by VLAN Q and Q-in-Q tagging using the CoS/802.1p prioritization bits.
Tagging can be retained into an external network for downstream traffic management.

• Flow Control option to throttle back data from sending devices and thereby reduce demands on
restricted Ethernet bandwidth.

THROUGHPUT OPTIMIZATION
Ethernet throughputs are maximized through use of IFG and Preamble suppression. This involves a
reduction of the byte-count used to transport Ethernet data end-to-end over a link, thereby increasing
data transport efficiency; more link capacity is made available for payload data.

• The IFG and Preamble frame bytes carry no payload data – they can therefore be suppressed for
transmission over a radio link and reinstated at the far end. The benefits are most apparent on
small frame sizes where the IFG and Preamble bytes are a higher percentage of the frame total.

• The reduction in frame space improves throughput 23 percent on 64-byte frames, 6 percent on
average-size 260-byte frames, reducing to 1% on 1518 byte frames.

SYNCHRONIZATION
Mobile base stations must be synchronized to support hand-off between cells, and to ensure
frequencies on the air-interfaces have the accuracy and stability needed to minimize channel
interference.

• For GSM / UMTS nodes on a wireless backhaul network, required frequency synchronization has
traditionally been met by using the clocking from a TDM (DS1) connection.

• For CDMA nodes requiring a time-referenced phase sync source, clocking has typically been
provided by a GPS receiver installed at the site.

• For next generation 4G/LTE base stations, phase synchronization is an expected requirement.
On networks where synchronization is provided via TDM network clocking, the quality of this clocking
must be maintained during migration to IP/Ethernet. At issue is the nature of standard 802.3 Ethernet;
it is asynchronous - it contains no provision for transferring a clock reference.
But there are solutions through Synchronous Ethernet, or IEEE 1588v2 packet-based timing. Eclipse
Packet Node supports both, plus options for clock maintenance through mixed mode, or Eclipse
Distributed Sync.
Currently only IEEE 1588v2 has an ability to support phase synchronization over an Ethernet
connection.
Synchronous Ethernet

Synchronous Ethernet transports timing information using a clock signal injected into the bit stream,
much like TDM. Each device in the network recovers, cleans, and then distributes the clock to its
downstream neighbor. It means every intervening node (switch/router) within the network must support
Synchronous Ethernet.

• SyncE can only distribute frequency; it cannot distribute phase alignment or time of day (ToD).

• SyncE clocking is unaffected by data delivery impairments in the higher packet-plane layers, such
as the delays caused by queuing and re-routing on heavily loaded networks.

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• Clock quality requirements (jitter and wander) are equivalent to that specified for TDM networks
within G.823 / G.824. Clock transfer is supported between TDM and SyncE sections of the same
network.

• On Eclipse radio links the clocking to support SyncE operation uses Eclipse Distributed Sync.

• Upgrading to Synchronous Ethernet simply requires installation of a DAC GE3 switch card, and a
SyncE feature license.
IEEE 1588v2

1588v2 is a Precision Timing Protocol (PTP) for phase and frequency synchronization. Dedicated
timing packets are transmited within the data packet stream to maintain a Master-Slave
synchronization relationship.

• Time-stamped PTP packets are sent from the master clock to the slave clocks, and from the slave
clocks back to the master. A timing recovery algorithm uses these packets to calculate and offset
the delays and differences in delay (packet delay variation or PDV) across a network.

• PDV represents the most significant impairment factor – synchronization accuracy can be affected
on heavily loaded networks.

• Because it works in the IP data path it does add a small amount of additional traffic to the network.
1588v2 frames are transported transparently by Eclipse Packet Node.
Mixed Mode
Eclipse uses the TDM links within mixed mode Ethernet+TDM links to retain support for traditional
TDM clocking. It particularly applies to networks where Ethernet is introduced on the back of existing
TDM network connections.
Eclipse Distributed Sync (EDS)
Eclipse Distributed Sync multicasts a DS1 circuit throughout the network to maintain existing TDM
clock accuracy and stability. It supports flexible migration without compromising existing TDM
synchronization. EDS also provides a totally reliable and risk-free timing solution for Eclipse SyncE
connections.

• Instead of a dedicated DS1 circuit per destination, one DS1 is used throughout the network for all
destinations. It is for sync purposes only. At network nodes the DS1 is captured from the incoming
link, and included as required on outgoing links.

• While a DS1 is included alongside the Ethernet data on each link, the effective cost of this usage is
small compared to the time, risk and cost of implementing generic IEEE 1588v2 or Synchronous
Ethernet solutions.
EDS provides a seamless frequency synchronization solution when migrating from TDM to an all-
Ethernet backhaul. It is fully scalable from small to large networks, and its multicast nature means it is
available at all points within an Eclipse network.

LINK AGGREGATION
Link aggregation combines two or more links into a single logical link to provide a traffic capacity that is
the sum of the individual links. It is especially relevant to wireless links that require traffic capacities
higher than the maximum possible on one radio channel link - two links are operated in the same RF
channel using CCDP, then link aggregated to provide one logical link of twice the capacity.
Link aggregation also provides redundancy. If one link fails, its traffic is redirected onto the remaining
link(s). Effectively this is N+0 protection - all links in the aggregation group carry traffic, and provide
protection for each other. If the remaining link(s) do not have the capacity needed to avoid a traffic
bottleneck, QoS settings ensure all higher priority traffic continues to get through.

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Eclipse Packet Node has L1 and L2 link aggregation options:

• L1 aggregation acts on the byte data stream. Unlike L2 link aggregation, it provides optimum
payload sharing regardless of individual connection throughput demands - ideal for router-router
connections.

• L2 link aggregation (802.3ad) uses source and/or destination MAC address data in the Ethernet
frame MAC/LLC header.

ETHERNET I NTERFACE PROTECTION

Two configurations are available to support protection of the GigE switch cards, one based on the BFD
protocol (Bidirectional Forwarding Detection), the other on Y-cables.
BFD is designed for fast path failure detection on Ethernet and other media. Separate connections are
established from paired GigE cards based on VLANs and the BFD protocol. If BFD detects a failure of
the primary VLAN or physical interface, all traffic is automatically allocated to the secondary VLAN to
provide true 1+1 protection on Eclipse and the connected equipment.
Y-cable protection is used where the connected equipment does not support BFD. A single connection
is established to the connected equipment from paired GigE cards. Full 1+1 protection is provided on
Eclipse, but not on the connected equipment.

CARRIER GRADE OPERATION

Carrier Ethernet is defined by the MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) as a ubiquitous, standardized,
carrier-class service. Various attributes distinguish it from familiar LAN based Ethernet.
Essentially is about network transport infrastructure and service delivery. The underlying
principle is that the attributes of Carrier Ethernet are met in the Access, Metro and Core
networks to deliver a seamless, performance and cost optimized solution between all users.
For an Ethernet device to be considered carrier grade, it must meet relevant MEF
requirements. Those for standardized services, reliability, scalability, QoS and service
management are specified within MEF 9 and MEF 14.

• MEF 9 specifies the UNI (Universal Network Interface)

• MEF 14 specifies the QoS (Quality of Service) parameters.

Eclipse Packet Node is certified compliant with these standards to provide an assurance that it will
interoperate with other certified carrier Ethernet devices, now and into the future.
Aviat Networks is also a founding member of the MEF Mobile Backhaul Group, whose aim is to
promote and define the use of Carrier Ethernet services for mobile/cellular networks.

CARRIER GRADE OAM

The ProVision EMS for Eclipse supports relevant requirements within ITU Y-1731 for the service layer
and within IEEE 802.3ah for the link layer. Every Eclipse device in a network is visible to network
operators together with the tools needed to determine device and network status and performance,
and to effect changes when needed. Features include:

• Fully integrated management of the radio and its Ethernet traffic. For example, where Ethernet
performance is being affected by radio performance, the problem is easily diagnosed using
common user-friendly interfaces.

• Ethernet diagnostics with RMON performance data, Ethernet history, and Ethernet data-
dashboards for throughput, errors and discards.

• End-to-end network mapping, circuit provisioning and performance monitoring at service (VLAN)
and link levels.

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• Strong security is supported via SNMPv3 and a RADIUS Server option.

• A Multi-Technology Operations System Interface (MTOSI : TMF 854) supports ProVision

interfacing with MTOSI-standardized management systems.

• Error events with probable cause and remedial advice.

• Site energy and security management with system status, fault management, fuel usage reporting
and energy control history.

Figure 5. Example ProVision EMS screens for Network Health and Bandwidth Utilization

LINK CAPACITY AND SPECTRAL EFFICIENCY

Superior capacity and spectrum efficiency gains are a feature of Packet Node through adaptive coding
and modulation (ACM), and co-channel dual polarized (CCDP) link operation.

ADAPTIVE CODING AND MODULATION

Instead of using a fixed modulation rate to provide a guaranteed capacity and service availability under
all path conditions, the modulation rate, and hence capacity, is increased when path conditions permit
to provide a higher capacity. Typically, this higher capacity will be available for more than 99.5 percent
of the time.

• Adaptive modulation is the dynamic adjustment of modulation rate to ensure maximum data
bandwidth is provided most of the time, with a guaranteed bandwidth provided all the time.

• A link may be designed to have as much as 30 dB of fade margin to support 99.999% availability.
However, this is only needed to protect the link against worst-case fades that may occur just a few
minutes in a year. For the rest of the year, the margin is not used.

• By using less robust but more efficient modulation schemes, the available fade margin is
transformed into delivering more data throughput - adaptive modulation dynamically changes the
modulation so that the highest modulation and hence highest availability of capacity is provided at
any given time.

• When used in conjunction with QoS traffic shaping and prioritization, it can be configured to ensure
all high priority traffic continues to get through when path conditions deteriorate; only low priority
“best effort” data is discarded.

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Figure 6 illustrates Packet Node modulation/capacity steps and typical percent availability over time for
QPSK to 256 QAM ACM. QPSK, as the most robust modulation, is used to support the critical traffic.
Less critical traffic is assigned to the higher modulations. Most importantly, the highest modulation is
typically available for more than 99.5 percent of the time and supports four times the capacity of
QPSK.

Figure 6. Adaptive Modulation at Work

Packet Node adaptive modulation is an end-to-end solution for Ethernet only, or a combination of
Ethernet and TDM.
It uses one of four automatically and dynamically switched modulations - QPSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM or
256 QAM. Uniquely, each modulation has two coding options, one for maximum throughput, one for
maximum system gain, to provide a total of eight modulation states, any four of which can be selected
for ACM.

• Maximum throughput delivers maximum data throughput - at the expense of some system gain.
Maximum gain delivers best system gain - at the expense of some throughput.

• When all four modulations are selected (QPSK to 256 QAM) , each can be set for maximum
throughput or maximum gain.

• With three modulations selected, such as 16 QAM, 64 QAM and 256 QAM, one rate (any) can be
set for maximum gain and additionally for maximum throughput, to provide four step AM operation.
Or just three (any) of the four possible steps can be selected.

• With just two modulations selected, such as 64 QAM with 256 QAM, each can be set for maximum
gain and additionally for maximum throughput, to provide four step AM operation. Or just two, or
three out of the four possible steps can be selected.

• For FCC bands 6 to 11 GHz 64 QAM is the minimum permitted rate for adaptive modulation,
meaning operation is restricted to between 64 QAM and 256 QAM. Here Eclipse ACM supports
four-step operation to fine-tune on the available fade margin for best averaged throughputs.

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• For a given RF channel bandwidth, ACM provides a nominal two-fold improvement in data
throughput for a change from QPSK to 16 QAM, a three-fold improvement to 64 QAM and a four-
fold improvement to 256 QAM.

• Modulation switching is hitless. During a change to a lower modulation, remaining higher priority
traffic is not affected. Similarly, existing traffic is unaffected during a change to a higher modulation.
Traffic shaping is used to ensure best traffic efficiency (payload mapping) on each modulation.

• Ethernet connections enjoy real synergy through the QoS awareness on the GigE card and the
service provisioning provided by any MPLS or PBB-TE network overlay. All high priority traffic,
such as voice and video, continues to get through when path conditions are poor.

• Any DS1 connections are dropped in user-specified order when link capacity is reduced , and
restored when capacity is increased.
Figure 7 shows the air-link capacities for each modulation, by channel bandwidth.

Figure 7. Eclipse Packet Node Adaptive Modulation Steps

CO-CHANNEL DUAL POLARIZED LINKS (CCDP)

In situations where increasing the channel bandwidth and/or increasing the modulation rate cannot
provide the capacity needed, CCDP provides an answer. It enables two links to operate on the same
channel to double the wireless capacity.

• Under CCDP, two parallel communication links are operated on the same RF channel: one using
the vertical polarization, the other the horizontal. Cross Polarized Interference Cancellation (XPIC)
is used to ensure any interference between the channels is effectively eliminated.

• The capacity on each link can be used for IP, or IP+TDM.

• If both links are configured for IP traffic, the two traffic streams can be link-aggregated (L1 or L2) to
a single customer user interface.

• CCDP Links can be 1+1 or ring protected.

• Where even higher capacity links are needed, three or four links can be installed. For example, two
CCDP link pairs (four links in total) support 4x the capacity of a single link, using two RF channels.

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Figure 8 illustrates a CCDP mixed-mode link on a 50 MHz channel with 256 QAM maximum
throughput modulation. The combined link capacity of 636 Mbit/s is used for Ethernet + 16xDS1. With
IFG and Preamble suppression, the 611 Mbit/s available for Ethernet supports L1 throughputs to 758
Mbit/s.

Figure 8. 636 Mbit/s Link Aggregated Mixed-Mode Link

Figure 9 illustrates a CCDP RSTP node with east-west links on 50 MHz channels with 256 QAM,
Maximum Throughput modulation. With IFG and Preamble suppression, the links support Ethernet
throughputs to 790 Mbit/s.

Figure 9. 650 Mbit/s Link Aggregated RSTP CCDP Ring Node

STRONG SECURITY
Institutional and individual users assume their networked data and voice communications are held
secure end-to-end. But given the reality that migration towards IP does provide increased opportunity
for data and call interception, security on backhaul networks must be reviewed.
As well as security for the payload there is also the issue of securing the physical network to prevent
equipment being compromised or taken over by unauthorized parties. At the other end of the scale,
there is potential for unintentional miss-configuration by low-level but unauthorized users.
What’s needed is a high level of security for both payload and management traffic. Traditionally,
microwave networks have not included such purpose-built capabilities.
Uniquely, Eclipse provides strong solutions. With Payload Encryption, Secure Management, and
RADIUS Client, Eclipse Strong Security ensures there is no potential for non-secure access to the
radio payload or to the management interfaces.

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PAYLOAD ENCRYPTION
Payload Encryption secures wireless data and in-band and out-of-band management traffic. Operation
is FIPS-197 compliant and features an AES-CCM cipher suite with AES counter mode data encryption
and CBC-MAC data integrity validation.The integrity of each data frame sent over the link is checked to
ensure that received data has been sent by the intended transmitter, and if it detects that received data
has been modified (man-in-the-middle attack), then received data is replaced with AIS.

SECURE MANAGEMENT
Secure Management offers secure management access to Eclipse Packet Node radios over
unsecured networks. It protects the radio from accidental or intentional miss-configuration and provides
centralized access control based on sophisticated permission attributes. An event logger records all
management activity for proper accountability and optimum troubleshooting support.
Security is provided through use of encrypted communication protocols, a requirement for complex
passwords, and protection against mechanized attacks. Communication encryption is based on a
FIPS140-2. SNMPv3 is used to secure the management communication connections.

RADIUS CLIENT
An integrated RADIUS capability enables authentication, authorization and accounting of user
accounts from a remote RADIUS Server for central management of Eclipse user accounts.
The RADIUS remote server provides centralized management and authentication of user names,
passwords, and access permissions, and ensures that all users have consistent access privileges
throughout the network, using a common set of user credentials. When a user attempts to login to a
RADIUS Client (Eclipse radio), the radio sends the authentication request to the RADIUS server.
Communication between the RADIUS client and the RADIUS server is authenticated and encrypted,
and the RADIUS server accounting database maintains a log of all requests, access times and
durations.

CONCLUSION
Eclipse Packet Node is optimized for transforming networks to all-IP. You can single-step from TDM to
all-IP or go step-by-step starting with an overlay of Ethernet on existing TDM links and adjusting the
overlay to ultimately reach an all-IP goal. At each step, there is a low-cost card or software based
solution to support required network infrastructure for more capacity, better spectral and data
efficiency, wider redundancy options, tighter QoS, sync options, legacy traffic support, and strong
security.
This incremental approach has much to recommend it. Change can be made without the risk,
downtime and expense often associated with a complete platform change-out. No other node offers
the flexibility, scalability, low-cost migration, reliability and ultimate sophistication and capacity grunt for
new generation wireless backhaul.

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GLOSSARY
ACM Adaptive coding and modulation.
AES Advanced encryption standard. An encryption standard adopted by the U.S.
government. It comprises three block ciphers, AES-128, AES-192 and AES-256.
AIS Alarm indication signal.
CCM Combined cipher machine.
CBC Cipher block chaining.
CCDP Co-channel dual polarized.
EMS Element management system.
FIPS Federal information processing standards.
HSPA High speed packet access.
LTE Long term evolution. Evolving standard for 4G mobile networks.
MAC Media access control.
MEF Metro Ethernet Forum.
PDH Plesiosynchronous digital hierarchy. Asynchronous multiplexing scheme in which
multiple digital synchronous circuits run at slightly different clock rates.
QAM Quadrature amplitude modulation.
QoS Quality of service.
QPSK Quadrature phase shift key.
RADIUS Remote authentication dial In user service.
RSTP Rapid spanning tree protocol.
RWPR Resilient Wireless Packet Ring.
SDH Synchronous digital hierarchy. Transmission rates range from 51.84 Mbit/s (STM0/OC1)
and 155.52 Mbit/s (STM1/OC3) through to 10-plus Gbit/s.
SFP Small-form-factor pluggable.
SLA Service level agreement.
SNMP Simple network management protocol.
TDM Time division multiplexing. Multiple low-speed signals are multiplexed to/from a high-
speed channel, with each signal assigned a fixed time slot in a fixed rotation.
VLAN Virtual LAN. IEEE 802.1Q tagging mechanism.
XPIC Cross-polarized interference cancellation.

Some Eclipse Packet Node features may be subject to availability. Contact your Aviat Networks
representative for details.

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Data subject to change without notice.
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