Combatting Galvanic Corrosion: Aviat’s Extra Measures in Harsh Environments

Example of galvanic corrosion.Galvanic corrosion is a type of corrosion that occurs when two different types of metal are in contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte. When this occurs, an electrical current flow between the two metals, causing one of them to corrode at an accelerated rate. This type of corrosion can be particularly damaging to equipment that is located near oceans and seas, as saltwater is an excellent conductor of electricity and can accelerate the corrosion process. Heavily corroded equipment enclosures inevitably allow water to ingress inside the radio and damage the internal electronics, leading to outages and the need to completely replace the unit.

Saltwater Accelerates Galvanic Corrosion

Saltwater spray and mist can travel significant distances through the air, particularly in coastal regions where there is a constant breeze. When saltwater contacts metal equipment made of two distinct types of metal, the saltwater creates an electrical current between the two metals, leading to galvanic corrosion.

Aviat’s Extra Steps in Harsh Environments

Many radio manufacturers opt for powder coated aluminum enclosures for their equipment as it is a cost-effective and widely available material that provides effective protection in most environments. However, in corrosive environments, galvanic corrosion can significantly shorten the lifespan of the radio if it sets in. To counteract this, Aviat takes extra measures, leaving no room for corrosion to take hold.

Our industrial Private LTE and Virtual Fiber solutions are built with enclosures treated with a premium electroless nickel plating, which creates an extra barrier against the elements. This plating process applies a layer of nickel that prevents galvanic corrosion by inhibiting the development of an electric current. The electroless nickel plating protects both the aluminum housing, and consequently the internal electronics of the radio and increasing the operational lifetime of the equipment, reduce ingress-related outages, and decrease overall operational TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

In addition to its corrosion-resistant properties, electroless nickel plating also has several other benefits. It is extremely durable and resistant to wear, making it an ideal choice for equipment that is subject to heavy use or elevated levels of stress from environmental changes like large fluctuations in temperature that expands and contracts the metal frequently. It is also resistant to a wide range of chemical and environmental conditions, including saltwater, making it a suitable choice for use in a variety of different settings.

In conclusion, galvanic corrosion can lead to many problems, especially in environments near oceans and seas. To protect against this type of corrosion, Aviat uniquely uses a multi-pronged approach, beginning with a premium electroless nickel plating on their Wireless Access enclosures. This electroless process applies a layer of nickel to the metal surface without an electrical current, creating a barrier between the metal and the environment and providing a sacrificial layer. Then, a powder coat is also applied over the nickel plating, further enhancing protection against the elements. Unlike other commercial-grade products, Aviat Access solutions also use plated connectors to prevent degraded performance and other failures.

With these measures in place, Aviat Access products will last for many more years than the next best alternative, even in the harshest and most corrosive environments, while also reducing the costs associated with corrosion related failures, such as visits to site, troubleshooting, equipment replacement and other operational costs.

Do you need more information about our electroless nickel plating? Let’s talk

VSAT vs Aviat’s Wireless Access Solutions

In today’s fast-paced world, oil and gas companies are struggling with rising inflation and are seeking ways to boost ROI, streamline operations, improve safety, and strengthen security. However, the limitations of traditional narrowband networks and VSAT backhauls are making it difficult for them to implement modern technology.

VSAT, which was once seen as a viable solution, no longer offers the capacity and latency that the modern oil and gas industry needs. Additionally, it is costly and primarily caters to telecommunications service providers, providing last-mile services in rural residential areas without infrastructure.

In contrast, Aviat’s industrial wireless access products, Virtual Fiber and Private LTE platforms, are specifically designed to the specifications of the oil and gas industry. They offer reliable high-capacity and low latency that mission-critical networks depend on. Aviat’s equipment also has lower operating costs than VSAT, and our wireless access products do not require monthly service contracts or a minimum number of subscribers.

Furthermore, Aviat’s wireless access platforms use industrial-grade hardware that is built to withstand harsh environments for long periods of time. To learn more about Aviat’s wireless access solutions, download our whitepaper VSAT vs Aviat's Wireless Access Solutions.

Be sure to subscribe and follow us on social media to stay informed about our next whitepaper on how the oil and gas industry can benefit from using VSAT on exploratory wells and wireless access on established wells.

Ready to switch from VSAT to Wireless Access and save? Let’s talk

Connecting the Show-Me State: A $261 Million Investment in Broadband

Recently, Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced the Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded a total of $261 million to 60 recipients through the ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program. Missouri’s Broadband investment is aimed at expanding and improving internet access throughout the state and was launched in August 2022 to invest in broadband expansion with a focus on unserved and underserved areas.

Connecting the Show-Me State: A 1 Million Investment in BroadbandThis news was reported by DED on January 23, 2023 in Jefferson City, highlighting the fact that many Americans still do not have access to high-speed internet. This lack of quality internet access creates a digital divide, hindering the growth and development of communities, businesses, and individuals. The Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program is a significant step forward in addressing this issue in Missouri.

Who is Eligible for Missouri’s Broadband Investment?

The program funded a wide range of applicants, including traditional internet providers and electric and telephone cooperatives, to deliver symmetrical speeds of 100 Mbps upload/100 Mbps download or greater. The funds will be used to build new connections, bringing quality internet access to more communities and businesses across the state.

Maggie Kost, Acting Director of the Department of Economic Development, stated, “Broadband expansion is a critical priority, both for economic development and improving the lives of people across our state.” The Office of Broadband Development, under the direction of BJ Tanksley, was instrumental in the success of the grant program.

What Impact will Missouri’s Broadband Investment Have?

This program is expected to have a transformational impact on broadband expansion in Missouri and lead the state towards a fully connected future. The state’s investment in broadband expansion demonstrates its commitment to supporting education, health care, businesses, and agriculture in today’s digital economy.

To sum up, the ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program is a major step forward in expanding internet access in Missouri. This investment in broadband expansion will help bridge the digital divide and provide equal opportunities for all Missourians. The recent DED release in Jefferson City highlights this important initiative and the positive impact it will have on the state.

We can help you setup your network? Let’s talk

Why High Availability Routing is essential for Critical Communications Networks

Federal, state, and municipal governments, public safety agencies, utilities, service providers, and other organizations require High Availability routing (HA) in their transport networks. Loss of network services can equate to a severe impact on an organization, from loss of productivity and efficiency to loss of revenue and – in the worst-case scenario – loss of life. High Availability Routing configurations ensure critical applications management with maximum uptime for the network.

High Availability routing is one aspect of a transport network’s system reliability engineering. High Availability routing is accomplished using two redundant routers (primary and secondary), with the goal of ensuring the continuity of traffic forwarding in the event of any hardware failure. High Availability Routing has three core principles: (1) eliminate single points of failure, (2) ensure fast and reliable crossover (or failover) from one router to the other in the event of a system failure, and (3) detect and repairs failures if and when they occur.

Traditionally, HA router configurations required two separate routers, each of which has to be managed separately. This leads to unnecessary complexity due to the duplication of the router configuration management and monitoring efforts.

Implementing Aviat High Availability Routing – Maximum Availability with Minimal Complexity

Aviat's CTR 8740 HA microwave routerAviat’s CTR 8740 solution consists of two stacked and interconnected units that protect the network’s Data and Control planes against a single point of hardware failure. Once the two routers are connected and HA mode is enabled, the two units are synchronized via an encrypted channel, enabling them to operate as a single router instance with dual control and data planes.

The two routers logically appear on the network as one network element, with one IP address. This facilitates failover from one router to the other, and accelerates peering with the rest of the network at startup and after a network failure.

New software is loaded to the two routers via a single interface then activated in an orderly process. A Graceful Restart mechanism enables the routers to maintain traffic flow and prevent service outages.

The routers are also managed as a single entity by Aviat’s ProVision Plus web-based network management system (NMS), enabling customers to manage all Aviat networks through one screen for faster fault analysis and identification.

Each CTR 8740 also features a redundant power supply feed and redundant power supply card option, so if one power supply fails (external or internal), the other power supply keeps the router running. This eliminates a single point of power failure within each router for added resilience.

The Advantages of Aviat High Availability Routing

CTR 8740 High Availability feature delivers several key benefits to network operators:

  1. Greater scalability – Every router in a network must be aware of all other routers in the network in order to route packets properly via an optimal path within the routing domain. Because two Aviat routers in HA configuration act logically as a single element, this effectively doubles the number of routers that can be deployed on the network, enhancing network scalability and allowing more sites to be added to the routing domain.
  2. Lower management overhead – Both CTR 8740 routers in an HA configuration are managed as one, so management commands and software updates automatically flow to both routers, effectively cutting management traffic overhead and operator configuration actions in half.
  3. Easier software updates – Updates to the CTR 8740’s software loading system allow loading via a single interface to both units in the HA system. Separate software loading and activation phases for each of the two routers ensures hitless traffic flow is maintained to prevent service outages during software upgrades.
  4. Faster fault recovery – The CTR 8740 HA enables fast recovery from hardware component failures and, with Segment Routing, the routers can recover from external network failures, such as link and router failures, within tens of milliseconds.
  5. Topology flexibility – The CTR 8740 supports full network-side protection for ring, spur, dual-feed, and linear network topologies.

High Availability is a must-have for critical communications networks. By enabling two redundant routers to share the same IP address and to be managed as one router, Aviat’s CTR 8740 Transport Routers deliver better network protection along with improved network scalability and reduced management overhead.

Does the Aviat CTR 8740 HA router sound like a good fit for your network? Let’s talk

The Advantages of Private LTE: Flexibility, Control, and Enhanced Security

Private LTE networks have become a popular option for businesses and industries that require strong security measures, flexible Quality of Service (QoS) protocols, and a greater selection of band frequencies. These networks are designed to meet the needs of businesses when public LTE networks and Wi-Fi Mesh are not satisfactory.

Private LTE Advantages

One of the major advantages of Private LTE networks is the increased security measures. The infrastructure is owned and controlled by the operator, ensuring that sensitive data is transmitted through secure methods and stored locally on-site. In contrast, public networks remove QoS tagging on traffic inflow, making it difficult for businesses to send mission-critical traffic for niche applications.

Another one of the advantages of Private LTE networks is the flexibility in network configuration. Public LTE providers use set band frequencies for their services without providing freedom of choice. Private LTE, on the other hand, allows the choice of band, channel size, and up-link down-link ratio to satisfy specific applications.

Limitations of Legacy Networks

The need for modernization is becoming increasingly evident in industries such as:

  1. Oil and Gas
  2. Mining
  3. Utilities
  4. Government
  5. Transportation

These businesses and organizations are demanding advanced features such as personal messaging, group chat, file sharing and mission-critical PTT (Push to Talk) but hitting roadblocks on their legacy networks like Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Wi-Fi networks.

LMR

Modern applications are severely restricted on LMR due to aging infrastructure, proposed spectrum recalls, low network scalability, and restricted data handling capabilities.

Wi-Fi Mesh

Although it is inexpensive for small scale operations, it has numerous limitations that affect its overall performance and functionality in demanding environments.

  1. Optimized for localized indoor
  2. Maximum range of 90 meters
  3. No nomadic mobility support
  4. Throughput fluctuations
  5. Latency fluctuations
  6. Potential dead zones within the area of operation

Private LTE networks have become a popular choice for businesses and industries that require enhanced security, flexibility in network configuration, and control over QoS protocols. Public networks and Wi-Fi Mesh have limitations that can hinder their effectiveness in mission-critical applications. For a deeper understanding of the benefits and potential use cases of private LTE networks, download our solutions brief. Our brief includes practical information on how Private LTE networks can be implemented, and how they can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different industries.

For more information on Aviat’s Industrial Private LTE with the lowest total cost of ownership check out our blog Aviat Industrial Private LTE.

Does Private LTE sound like a good match for your business? Let’s talk

From TDM to IP/MPLS: How Public Safety Networks are Keeping Up with Technology

As technology advances, public safety transport networks are facing the challenge of keeping up with the new requirements for fast and reliable connectivity for emergency responders and everyday operations. In the past, Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) networks were used for their reliability and low latency, however, as technology surpasses the capabilities of TDM, public safety operators are now migrating to IP/MPLS networks for their scalability, resiliency, and advanced network virtualization schemes.

CTR 8740 and MPLS

One of the key equipment for public safety networks is a high-quality IP/MPLS router, such as Aviat’s CTR 8740, that can quickly migrate to IP/MPLS, build, scale, and manage mission-critical networks under one Network Management System (NMS). The CTR 8740 provides advanced transport router capabilities using MPLS, which is optimized and simplified with Segment Routing, and added resiliency features such as High Availability support and strong security.

To understand the full capabilities of the CTR8740 with MPLS technology and how it can enhance network virtualization, traffic management, and resiliency for mission-critical communications, download our white paper now. It will provide you with an in-depth look at the benefits of MPLS technology and how it can optimize your public transport network for rapid emergency responses and reliable everyday operations.

Ready to migrate from TDM to IP/MPLS? Let’s talk

Why the Eclipse Hybrid Native TDM/ IP support is still relevant in a 5G World

As the Telecom world largely focuses on the 5G future, many operators are still managing mission-critical operations that use traditional TDM microwave radios. Legacy SCADA, push-to-talk, teleprotection, radar systems, and other vital operations rely on TDM for its simplicity, stability and low latency. However, legacy TDM microwave networks are not able to easily support high capacity Ethernet/IP applications.

Utility companies, public safety operators with legacy TDM-based P25 networks, and service providers that are still operating 2G base stations (in sub-saharan Africa 3G/4G connections only just surpassed 2G in 2019, according to the GSMA) or that need to deliver low-latency TDM enterprise connections, all need to maintain a cost effective TDM network infrastructure while also supporting high speed Ethernet/IP for next generation service deployments.

The Challenge of Migrating from all-TDM to IP

Many operators have delayed migration of their TDM networks to IP due to the large investment needed in time, labor, and network downtime. There are solutions such as pseudowires that enable TDM to be transported over an IP network, but they add latency and inefficiencies in the conversion process that can impact the operation of critical applications such as teleprotection. Operators need a hybrid network solution with the capability to manage TDM and IP separately and efficiently, but over the same link to minimize disruptions and reduce the cost of migrating to IP.

Support for both mission critical TDM and IP applications

Why the Eclipse Hybrid Native TDM/ IP support is still relevant in a 5G World

Aviat’s Hybrid TDM & IP Network Solution

Recently, CommTel Network Solutions, a leading international provider of advanced and engineered solutions for mission and business critical networks, was searching for a TDM/ IP solution to future-proof essential microwave radio networks that support a major utility in Queensland, Australia.

CommTel selected Aviat’s hybrid Eclipse Native TDM/IP platform, which enabled CommTel’s client to maintain their legacy native TDM services and provide a single highly resilient and redundant network infrastructure with higher capacity and at a lower cost than other solutions.

Aviat’s Eclipse platform’s unique support for Native TDM was an important factor why CommTel won the 5-year multimillion dollar contract to upgrade and future-proof their client’s network.

Eclipse Hybrid Microwave Indoor Units

Combining Resilience, Strong Security with Native TDM support

Why the Eclipse Hybrid Native TDM/ IP support is still relevant in a 5G World

Eclipse Datasheet

Are you looking to upgrade your TDM network? Let’s talk about our hybrid TDM/IP solution

Give your installed microwave links a 10 Gbps boost with Aviat’s Vendor Agnostic Multi-Band

For more information on how Aviat’s MB-VA can upgrade your existing backhauls without expensive and time-consuming projects download our free MB-VA brochure.
Download the Aviat Vendor Agnostic Multi-Band Brochure
Request Brochure

Most operators looking to deploy 5G are facing the same problem. Their legacy transport and backhaul infrastructure designed for 3G/4G cannot support the high capacity demands of 5G and upgrading their networks requires large investments in time and infrastructure. As more 5G networks are rolled out, limited company resources can become strained in what seems like an endless flow of cash and time. In addition, the complexity of these projects causes delays and ultimately deadlines to be missed.

The Challenge of 5G

The major challenge operators are facing as they are looking to upgrade to 5G is that current methods to significantly increase link capacity can involve expensive equipment upgrades and long installation projects. This can have devastating effects on profitability and competitiveness in the race to build the next generation network, especially for the smaller operator.

Aviat’s Simple Solution

At Aviat, we have gained an understanding of the challenges operators face when deploying 5G networks by working hand in hand with our customers. That’s how we knew the industry needed a solution that could take an existing 4G backhaul and add significant capacity without significantly impacting the bottom line.

Our solution is simple, a Vendor Agnostic Multi-Band, or MB-VA overlay. This works by overlaying a new high-capacity E-Band or Multi-Band on top of the existing microwave link to add up to 10 Gbps per link. Deploying Aviat’s MB-VA saves the initial investment on the existing backhaul, reduces the expense of upgrading microwave, and reduces operational expenses while preparing your network for the 5G future.

Are you looking to upgrade your network? Let’s talk about MB-VA

Looking at the big picture – how to lower your Wireless Backhaul TCO

Planning a microwave 5G project is time consuming and requires skills from several different disciplines. Investing in microwave equipment that reliably delivers high-capacity internet with minimal maintenance and operational costs is crucial to maximizing the anticipated return on investment (ROI). This requires project planners to have a high technical ability and a strong business acumen including a clear understanding of the cost drivers applicable to their network.

A common mistake when anticipating ROI for 5G equipment is only considering the purchase and installation costs. Future expenses also need to be considered to understand what the total cost of ownership (TCO) is.

Blog: Looking at the big picture – how to lower your Wireless Backhaul TCO

Without knowing the TCO, the estimated ROI cannot be calculated correctly. An incorrect ROI will result in a misleading higher anticipated profitability, not accounting for major future expenses.

Anticipated ROI = (Lifetime Expected Revenues/ Lifetime Expected Expenses)*100
TCO = Initial CAPEX + Initial OPEX + Future CAPEX + Future OPEX

The table below illustrates expenses that are considered when planning a microwave project.

Initial CAPEXInitial OPEXFuture CAPEXFuture OPEX
Hardware – radio, antenna and other accessoriesSite/path surveys and Link designHardware upgradesAnnual Spectrum license fees
Tower engineering and strengthening (if needed)Spectrum license application and initial feeMobilization and Installation costsTower lease fees (radio, and antenna) if applicable
Shipping and storage costsAntenna upgrade costs (if needed)Maintenance, cost of reliability (truck rolls, repair/replacement)
Mobilization and Installation costsCapacity upgrade and other feature licensesPower costs

Initial CAPEX/OPEX and 5G Projects

As the demand for 5G speed increases, it’s creating a wireless gold rush of vendors and budget “5G capable” equipment that promise high-capacity solutions at a low initial price (CAPEX). However, the equipment is either low capacity and will need additional hardware to scale or is software limited requiring expensive licenses to unlock capacity and features. Often, budget equipment becomes a “you get what you pay for situation.” They advertise “pay as your grow” but it quickly becomes “pay more later”. These additional operating expenses add up over the lifetime of the equipment reducing ROI.
In the example below, based on the initial CAPEX Vendor B appears to be the better business decision. It’s $5,000 dollars less. It’s $5,000 on the purchase date but will it still be such a value in 5 years?

Figure 1: Choosing the right vendor solution to lower your transport and access network TCO
Figure 1: Choosing the right vendor solution

Future CAPEX/OPEXs for Microwave 5G Projects

Many vendors are not upfront with TCO. They count on the allure of a low starting price and busy professionals not always doing their homework. Their customers only realize how expensive it is to upgrade when its time to scale capacity or add new features. At that point the buyers only have two options, rip and replace or pay the higher upgrade costs. Other considerations can also drive significant ongoing operational costs, such as increased tower lease costs to support larger antennas, or higher recurring spectrum fees.
Below is an example of the 5-year TCO from Vendor A. The total of CAPEX and OPEX over 5 years is $6,580. With the addition of the initial CAPEX the TCO of vendor A is $21,580.

Figure 2: Vendor A 5-year microwave network TCO
Figure 2: Vendor A 5-year TCO

Now compare this with the 5-year TCO of vendor B. Notice the anticipated CAPEX and OPEX is much higher at $22,822, resulting in a TCO of $32,822. Why is Vendor B’s TCO $11,242 higher than Vendor A’s? Vendor A’s equipment was able to increase capacity with minimum investment, compared to Vendor B which required additional planning, licenses, and hardware to increase capacity. If you were to multiply the effort and expense to scale across an entire network then Vendor B quickly goes from Hero to Zero if overall TCO is a key part of planning your 5G microwave network.Figure 3: Vendor B 5-year microwave network TCO
Figure 3: Vendor B 5-year TCO

Unexpected Expenses

Capacity upgrades like the example above are easily accounted for in TCO but budget equipment can incur unexpected OPEX/ OPEX too. To keep their prices low, budget vendors will cut corners. A common source of expenses with budget equipment is their half-baked management software and poorly designed hardware with a lower MTBF. When the software or hardware fails so does the network, resulting in service interruption and expensive truck rolls.

How can you lower your Network TCO?

Aviat Networks works every day to develop solutions that drive down every aspect of OPEX/ TCO. The following table lists some of the key drivers in costs that Aviat has found as a result of discussions with our customers around the world, and what we have done to address this.

TCO DriverAviat’ SolutionBenefit/Result
Complex, time consuming Link DesignAviat DesignFree online Design tool for microwave, E-Band and Multi-Band links, including 3rd Party products. Designed to be used by Engineers
High tower lease feesHighest Tx Power radios, 4+0 with A2C+Aviat’s products all support market leading system gain performance, while A2C+ provides up to 10dB system gain improvement for 4+0 configurations, to reduce the size of antennas needed that significantly lowers tower lease costs
High annual Spectrum chargesMulti-BandMoving capacity from expensive microwave bands to cheaper E-Band, while maintaining microwave for critical availability traffic
Replacing microwave with fiber to increase capacityMulti-Band-VAOverlay new E-Band link on top of legacy microwave to support multi-gigabit capacity needed for 5G, removing the need to deploy fiber
Deploying fiber for longer distance linksMulti-Band-XDHigh capacity up to 10 Gbps over extended distances up to 20 Km
Expensive routingWTM 4000 Integrated MPLSIntegrated networking built into all-outdoor microwave, removes the need for additional router and cabinet at edge sites
Reducing downtime and improving network availabilityCTR 8740 HAResilient, high availability routing as an alternative to much more costly redundant solutions.
Complex and expensive Trunking solutionsSTR 4500 Split-Mount TrunkingCompact and super-efficient solution for long distance (>100Km) links with up to 10 Gbps capacity
Frequency InterferenceFrequency Assurance (FAS)FAS detects hard to spot interference that can cause poor link performance and outages
Outages and degraded performanceHealth Assurance (HAS)HAS enables proactive monitoring of all links so performance issues can be detected and repaired before outages occur
High Logistics and WarehousingAviat StoreOnline ordering, fast delivery, minimized inventory, fewer site delays – save up to 7.5% of each order value

Contact us to speak to someone from Aviat about how we can help you with your specific TCO drivers

Aviat Industrialized Private LTE

Aviat’s Private LTE solution is designed for operators looking for the right combination of cost, coverage, resiliency and convenience. Unlike many solutions on the market, Aviat Private LTE is designed for smaller-scale industrial applications, with easy deploy and right-sized elements that fit your need without breaking the bank.

In contrast, commercial LTE solutions are designed for much larger networks, and may not be suitable for the extremely harsh environments found in remote mines, for example. Commercial LTE is also not designed to be Mission Critical, providing the high level of resilience against failure. In short, you can end up paying more for s solution which is not fit for purpose.

How do we do it? Let’s break it down:
Aviat advantage from the Core, Backhaul to the Base Station:

Aviat Industrialized Private LTE

The power of a macro in a small cell footprint

Our RDL 6000 base station provides similar geographic coverage as a typical LTE marco cell, but in a much smaller all-outdoor footprint. This means less equipment, fewer cables, faster installation and no outdoor cabinet. On top of that it is hardened to withstand the toughest conditions and temperature extremes.

‘Right-Sized’ EPC

Our EPC is sized for enterprise and industrial networks. Others EPC solutions are not, meaning you end up paying exorbitant annual maintenance and other charges. Having an EPC that scales down to fit your network means you save on costs.

Best-in-Class Wireless Backhaul

Aviat is a global leader microwave and millimeter-wave backhaul and transport solutions that bundling best in class features to support high-capacity, low power consumption, built-in IP/MPLS routing, so you can build a backhaul network with the lowest TCO and highest performance.

Common End-to-End Network Management

Aviat’s ProVision Plus enables you to manage all elements of your Private LTE network from a single screen, whereas with other solutions you would need a separate NMS for the Core, eNodeB and backhaul. This dramatically simplifies operations and results in a better performing network, as well as further lowering costs

The Power of a Macro in a compact all-outdoor solution

Typical Macro Solution

Aviat Industrialized Private LTE

  • Outdoor cabinet housing BBU & stand-alone Router
  • Large EPC
  • Complex – many units and cable connections
  • Multiple costly Management Platforms

Aviat’s All-Outdoor Solution

Aviat Industrialized Private LTE

  • LTE + Backhaul + Router
  • RDL 6000 Integrated BBU and RRH
  • Ruggedized, resilient, no fans
  • All-Outdoor Microwave backhaul, with integrated Router
  • Right-sized EPC
  • Single End-to-end NMS

Does Private LTE make sense for your network? Contact us to discuss this:

Save money on capacity upgrades, troubleshooting and outage prevention with Aviat’s Health Assurance Software (HAS)

Do you often upgrade backhaul link capacity only after experiencing network congestion or receiving customer complaints?
Do you often feel overwhelmed with alarms on your management system that are impossible to sort, manage and troubleshoot?

Do you often only realize that a link has a problem when it suffers a complete outage?

If you experience one or more of these issues with your network then Aviat Health Assurance Software can help you.

When we look at the three operational challenges that we introduced above, HAS delivers real, measurable results:

Capacity Planning

Network capacity upgrades are needed on an ongoing basis to meet growing demand and support deployment of new services. Operators need to decide in a timely manner which links need more capacity, instead of congestion issues arising that affects customer quality of service, leading to complaints and churn. Conversely, this also allows operators to avoid over-investing in network capacity that may never be needed, wasting capital.

How HAS can help: A smart list of links that require capacity upgrades, by time.

Takeaway: Smarter capacity upgrades, saving you up to 10% of total CAPEX budget

Troubleshooting

Operators need to be able to correlate faults from different parts of the network to determine if a service or customer issue is related to (or due to) their microwave backhaul. Before HAS, this was manual and extremely time consuming, and a high level of transport network expertise was required to debug and correlate faults with RAN/Core/IP domains

How HAS can help: HAS Network Navigator pinpoints faults on geographical and site-specific maps to isolate faults and navigate through network segments

Takeaway: Shorter outage times, no unnecessary truck rolls, for a 30% reduction in operating costs.

Outage Prevention

What if you could identify issues before they cause a link outage? Network operations personnel are often faced with a deluge of complex alarms from multiple management systems. Operators again rely on customer complaints to identify outages, or compensate with time-consuming routine manual monitoring of links to identify problems. HAS employs proactive trend analysis to anticipate and prevent outages, resulting in less downtime.

How HAS can help: A ‘Focus List’ of links not meeting a predetermined availability target due to inadequate path design, antenna misalignment, or some other underlying issue.

Takeaway: Proactive identification of problem links, less routine monitoring, resulting in 2x reduction in downtime.

Contact us today if you need HAS for your network

Licensed 6 GHz Links are under threat from all sides

The introduction of Wi-Fi 6E and the push to utilize the 6 GHz spectrum for mobile 5G are presenting increasing interference risk to existing operators using fixed links in the 6 GHz FCC bands.

Introduction

With the introduction of Wi-Fi 6E and the push to utilize the 6 GHz spectrum for mobile 5G, fixed links operating in the Lower and Upper 6 GHz FCC bands are under increasing threat from interference both from legitimate and rogue operators. The mobile industry is clearly targeting this spectrum for 5G services, seeing it as ‘under-utilized’ and observing that most mobile operators would prefer to reuse this spectrum more efficiently for mobile access and relocate their backhaul links to other frequencies. But where does this leave other operators dependent on 6 GHz for their critical wireless transport links?

In this article we look at one recent instance of interference from an unauthorized use of a point-to-multipoint (PTMP) radio system that was operating in the licensed L6 GHz spectrum that severely impacted the operation of a newly deployed 6 GHz point-to-point (PTP) microwave link, how this was discovered and what steps were taken to resolve it.

This rogue interference was entirely unexpected and was the first time Aviat had encountered such a situation over many decades of deploying radios across the US. The investigation and resolution took many months of intensive work, delaying the commissioning of the links and increasing the project costs significantly.

The Problem

During the deployment of a number of new 6 GHz microwave links for a customer, a US County located in large metro area, Aviat encountered some very peculiar problems. The receiver threshold tests were failing badly, by between 2 and 25 dB, and measurements would vary over time, hour by hour, day by day. Measurements showed a huge threshold degradation, which resulted in a reduced fade margins down to 10 dB, instead of 35 dB as predicted by the link design.

Aviat considered all potential sources of the problem – licensed radio interference, building reflections, misaligned antennas, damaged waveguide, faulty equipment, etc. The radio equipment at each end of the link was even replaced with new radios operating on different frequencies, but the problem got even worse, and persisted for many months.

Some Brief Background on the 6 GHz band

In 2020, the FCC opened 1200 MHz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band (5.925–7.125 GHz) for unlicensed uses, including Wi-Fi 6E and other point-to-multipoint (PTMP) applications. Unlicensed devices will share this spectrum with incumbent licensed services under rules crafted to protect those licensed services and enable both unlicensed and licensed operations to coexist throughout the band. The FCC authorized indoor low-power operations over the full 1200 MHz and standard-power devices in 850 MHz in the 6 GHz band. An Automated Frequency Coordination system (AFC) will prevent standard power access points from operating where they could cause interference to incumbent services.

Licensed 6 GHz Links are under threat from all sides

Although Wi-Fi 6E is not yet authorized for outdoor use, but experimental testing is now underway and bodies like the Wi-Fi Alliance are preparing for what they see as a huge opportunity, while vendors such as Cisco have announced their first outdoor Wi-Fi 6E ready access point.

Meanwhile, the FCCs AFC system is still in development, will give Wi-Fi 6E access points real time instructions on where and how they can operate within the 6 Ghz band (ie: frequency range and power levels), via a direct data link between the access point and the AFC system. AFC is intended to protect incumbent microwave by preventing overlapping frequency usage by Wi-Fi 6E operators, with microwave link operators being given priority.

There is also a small 75 MHz piece of spectrum called the ITS band, which is reserved for radio-based intelligent transportation systems, such as vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. The FCC is also preparing to open 45 MHz of this band to extend the unlicensed band, granting Special Temporary Authority (STA) to use this spectrum, typically for up to 60 days but can be extended for longer periods.

Tracking down the Interference

While Aviat was looking for the cause of the link problems, it was noticed that there was a PTMP access point installed on the same rooftop. Since these systems should not be using the L6 GHz spectrum it was not initially considered a potential source of interference. Checks with the operator of the PTMP system revealed that they in fact were operating in the ITS spectrum using an STA, but also illegally operating in the L6 GHz spectrum which was not allowed by the STA. As it turned out there were numerous other access points deployed in the city by this operator.

Using a spectrum analyzer Aviat was able to confirm that the PTMP AP were operating in L6 band with a frequency hopping 20 MHz channel and a wide beam-width antenna. The PTMP equipment was from a well-known vendor but was operating ‘beta’ software that caused it to operate well outside of the authorized spectrum range. This interference was incredibly hard to pinpoint due to the changing frequency of operation and power.

Measurement of the interference found

Resolution

Aviat had established that the PTMP operator was unaware that they were illegally using the L6 GHz spectrum, and along with our customer contacted the local FCC office, who sent their own investigators to take measurements that confirmed Aviat’s findings. They then returned 4 weeks later to find that the PTMP system was still operating unchanged. In the meantime, Aviat found a second PTMP system that was operating in L6 GHz spectrum. The FCC is in the process of issuing formal warning letters to each operator to cease operation in the L6 band.

Outdoor Wi-Fi 6E is coming

This case study demonstrates how a rogue PTMP system can have devastating impact on the operation of your 6 GHz links. Microwave radios do not have any countermeasures to mitigate this interference – features like ACM and ATPC do not help.

Aviat now looks for potential 6 GHz PTMP interference as part of the site/link survey, before the link is deployed, however this won’t always protect against PTMP interference at a later date. Additionally outdoor Wi-Fi 6E is coming, which could multiply these issues in practice, as the fear is that there could be many more instances of rogue deployments threatening the operation of your 6 GHz links.

Prevention is better than cure

Aviat has been aware of this threat, and as a result has developed our Frequency Assurance System, or FAS. FAS is specifically developed to monitor, assess and report on PTMP/Wi-Fi 6E interference. It is simple to implement on your existing links without updating hardware or software. FAS can be deployed as a premises or hosted solution, the latter in Aviat’s own Hosted Private Cloud service.

Wi-Fi 6E and PTMP interference is bursty and dynamic, so it is very hard to capture and quantify, but Aviat FAS will detect the interference and predict the likely impact on link operation, whether that be degraded operation or a complete outage. FAS uses onboard analytics to pick problems up, and then present the necessary data in a concise report format, as the FCC often may not have seen such cases before.

In addition to FAS, Aviat can also provide an Interference Diagnostic Service (IDS) to help you categorize, document and understand interference, and to determine how it can be resolved.

If you would like to learn more about 6 GHz interference or request a FAS demo, please contact your Aviat representative.