Multi-band booster: Enabling 5G transport everywhere with E-band

Multiband booster for 5G: by extending the E-band reach

With 5G spreading over the globe, high capacity backhaul is imperative for a superior RAN performance, not only in the city but also in the suburbs and in the countryside. Microwave has many ways of increasing capacity on existing sites and deliver high capacity to new sites. One of these methods is using multi-band booster, a flexible way of catering for the 5G Transport requirements. By combining high capacity frequencies, like E-band, with lower frequencies with higher availability and hop-length, in one hop, Multi-band booster delivers the best out of two worlds.

#backhaul #5GTransport #MicrowaveNetwork

5G is being deployed in many parts of the world, starting in the dense urban areas. Some countries are already also implementing 5G in the suburbs, which makes high capacities and low TCO required in many different types of sites. At existing sites, that need more capacity, an E-band node can be added, making the hop a multi-band hop with up to 10 times more capacity. Ericsson has Multi-band booster solutions for all types of sites. For end and repeater sites, the MINI-LINK 6651/4 enables up to 20 Gbps, with 10 Gbps hops in 2 directions. If the indoor space is limited, the all outdoor MINI-LINK 6371 is your choice with 10 Gbps in 2 directions. For a hub site requiring as much as 40 Gbps, the MINI-LINK 6693 together with our latest modem MMU 1005, is the perfect fit, with 10 Gbps links in 4 directions. When very high capacity is needed in one direction our new E-band node MINI-LINK 6355, with 25 Gbps capacities combined with three 25 GE interfaces, offers unmatched multi-band performance and flexibility.

MINI-LINK 6651/4

MINI-LINK 6371

MINI-LINK 6693

Multi-band antenna

Space in the tower?

Multi-band means using several frequencies over the same backhaul hop. Normally this would mean using several antennas, creating a higher site rental cost, or there might just not be any space left for an additional antenna. The multi-band antennas allow several frequencies over the same antenna eliminating these problems. If you are expanding an existing traditional hop with e.g., E-band, you add the new E-band radio, keep the traditional radio, and change the antenna to a multi-band antenna, with a nominal increase in size. We have a large range of Multi-band antenna sizes, from 0.3-0.6m for the higher frequency combinations, and 1.2 -3.7m antennas for combining lower frequencies.

"It is apparent that E-band, as standalone or in Multi-band solutions, is an excellent way to handle the required 5G capacities, and to support the quick roll-out of 5G in both urban and suburban areas in the German market."

Simon Baumeister & Axel Lauer, Transport Networks, Telefonica, Germany

"Vodafone EG can further enhance user experience, with the additional spectrum, by deploying 10Gbps multi-band booster links to the sites where there is no fiber available. Utilizing the unique multi-band booster function of hRLB between MINI-LINK 6352 and MINI-LINK 6600, thus boosting the E-band hop distance 3 times and achieving high capacities up to 10 Gbps."

Vodafone, Egypt

"Together with Ericsson we have started implementing E-Band microwave on the short hops very early, benefiting high link capacities for low operational cost. Nowadays we extend the E-Band reach by combining with classical microwave system bound together in Multi-band Booster configuration, which brings much higher link capacities comparing to traditional XPIC upgrades. Ericsson’s high-power MINI-LINK 6352 system makes this possible to implement.”

Maciej Różowicz - Head of Mobile Backhaul Transport T-Mobile, Poland

What is multi-band booster?

Multi-band booster combines the best characteristics of different frequency bands to boost capacities, unleashing the use of higher frequencies, like E-band, over longer distances and much wider geographical areas. Multi-band booster uses a low-band radio to provide a high-availability connection and combines it with a higher band that provides a significant increase in capacity, but with a slightly lower availability. This is perfect way to extend the reach of E-band up to 3 times, or boost the capacity of a traditional band by 10 times.

Boosts capacities and spectrum use

Multi-band booster uses a low band radio to provide high availability in combination with a higher band providing up to 10 times more capacity.

Maximizes E-band hop length

Multi-band booster makes it possible to extend the hop length of the E-band up to 3 times compared to a single E-band hop. This means E-band can be used not just in dense urban areas, but also in suburban areas over longer distances.

Minimizes TCO

The spectrum license for new bands like the E-band (70/80 GHz) are often priced very low compared to traditional bands. The spectrum cost can be reduced by up to 75%.

In this tool you can combine different frequencies, channel bandwidth, rain zones and hop length, and see how this effects the capacity and availability of the Multi-band booster hop.

This is a new type of E-band (80 GHz) antenna that can compensate for movement in mast or pole structures that is caused by Solar bending or Wind induced mast sway. Most deployments do not suffer from sway, but some sites are sway sensitive, and then the Sway Compensation Antenna makes a world of difference by effectively removing the negative impact of tower movement.

More than just removing a problem, the Sway Compensation Antenna is also a powerful new tool in the toolbox for cost-effective, high-capacity, and long-distance links. It relaxes the tower stability requirement, enables deployment of larger antennas, and boosts maximal link distance.

What’s the secret to high-capacity, long-distance E-band links? It’s simple: high-gain antennas. Sometimes they are known for causing headaches to link planners as their narrow beams require a stable tower or mast. In this blog post, we dive into the challenges of deploying E-band antennas, reveal why some towers behave like flowers, and explore new opportunities offered by sway compensation antennas.

Busting the biggest myths around microwave transport

In this Tech Unveiled our experts unveil and bust myths around microwave transport. Many believe that microwave as a 5G transport solution is limited in terms of capacity and low latency. Join us as we investigate these misconceptions and provide knowledge needed to make transport decisions.

High-capacity microwave backhaul for all sites

For 5G high-capacity sites, one size does not fit all. You need different microwave backhaul solutions for different sites. Find out which solution to use in our solution brief.

Multi-band microwave antennas—A magic bullet for boosting microwave capacity

As 5G RAN gains momentum, boosting backhaul capacity via microwave radio links becomes critical to subscriber quality of experience. The continued growth of mobile data demand proves it.

Telefónica Germany’s perspective on using E-band for 5G

Telefónica Germany finds it apparent that E-band is excellent for handling speedy roll-outs of 5G in urban and suburban areas.

Lessons learned from a decade with E-band

E-band is increasing in importance with the arrival of 5G and its demand for high capacity. During the recent years of commercial deployment, a number of insights have been gained that will facilitate the future use of E-band.

Deutsche Telekom, Cosmote and Ericsson look beyond 100GHz to boost 5G backhaul capacity

As 5G deployments scale up, so does the need for capacity. Communications service providers need additional spectrum to expand the reach of their 5G services. Ericsson has partnered with Deutsche Telekom and Cosmote to trial and test an answer to the challenge – using W-band as 5G backhaul spectrum.

The hop is not long enough! Multi-band booster: “Hold my beer, I’ve got this”

With ever mounting pressure on the spectrum available to them, service providers need a surefire way to boost their assets so they can deliver the microwave backhaul performance required. Here’s a look at the multi-band booster method: a radically different way of using spectrum efficiently.

MINI LINK 6000

Ericsson’s market leading, powerful and cost efficient microwave radio system bringing up to 10Gbps capacity with superior performance to 5G NR sites where time to market and cost are factors . All the products in MINI LINK 6000 can be used with Multi band booster.