Next-generation access network: A wireless network using E-band radio frequency (71-86GHz) to provide wideband connectivity

Abstract

The expected explosion in capacity requirements associated with Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) networks has led to an interest in the use of millimeter wave (specifically E-band) equipment for backhaul. Initially deployed for campus networks, such technology could also become a convenient solution for carrier applications offering the multi-gigabit backhaul capacity needed for future cellular networks. In the fixed point-to-point 70 GHz to 80 GHz radio frequency band, an unprecedented 10 GHz bandwidth is allowed, far exceeding the spectrum allocations in any given lower licensed frequency band. The 71 GHz to 76GHz bands are paired with 81 GHz to 86 GHz, yielding 5 GHz of spectrum in each direction. The vast amount of bandwidth available in this band makes it ideal for offering multi-gigabit transmission rates. This paper aims to characterize a wireless transmission channel operating in the 70 GHz to 80 GHz band, considering the propagation limits and the rain attenuation impairments on transmission link availability. Our objective is to define specific parameters and constraints which can be used to define an optimum topology for an access network. We use point-to-point systems with a transport capacity up to 10 Gb/s per single carrier using high-level modulation schemes. We also propose a specific interference mitigation analysis to enhance understanding of the angular discrimination needed to avoid any degradation of the total link margin and the signal-to-interference ratio.