Transmode targets C-RANs with mobile fronthaul system

Packet-optical transport systems vendor Transmode has unveiled a new offering for mobile operators who are deploying cloud-enabled radio access network (C-RAN) architectures. The deployment trend has created a need for “mobile fronthaul,” and Transmode says it now can offer a means to fulfill this requirement.

C-RAN involves moving some parts of the radio network control function from the antenna at the cell site to locations deeper in the network. This introduces a new transmission network into the overall mobile network infrastructure – mobile fronthaul – that carries the CPRI protocol between the antenna and these locations.

"Fronthaul networks and the CPRI protocol are very sensitive to latency and require very good synchronisation performance, both well-established strengths of Transmode. Operators across the globe are looking at C-RAN and fronthaul as a way of addressing spiralling power consumption costs in cell sites and also to address the dynamic nature of mobile users," said Sten Nordell, Transmode's CTO. "Using C-RAN as a way of dynamically allocating radio resources across multiple antennas helps these operators get the most from their network investments. Fronthaul networks are a key enabler to reaching this goal but these networks require outstanding performance in terms of power consumption, density, latency, and data/sync transparency."

Transmode's approach to mobile fronthaul includes two alternative TM-Series based active options for protected CPRI low-latency transport. The first uses transparent optical transponders; the other provides additional management and FEC capabilities and a TG-Series based passive WDM option that also offers network protection.

The company insists its approach is ideal in these applications due to its equipment’s strengths in synchronisation and transparent transport as well as low power and low latency capabilities. The offering is available now and is generating “considerable interest among existing and potential customers,” Tranmode says.

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