Exalt Communications has announced a new line of all-indoor hybrid TDM/Gigabit Ethernet Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) microwave systems in a choice of single-band 5.8 GHz models or field-upgradeable, dual-band models covering licensed exempt 5.8 GHz and licensed 6 GHz bands.
The EX-5i-DS3GF and EX-5i-DS3GL systems are designed to support the growing backhaul capacity needs of mobile operators and long-haul private network operators, while offering the rapid time-to-deployment advantages of license-exempt spectrum.
The new Exalt systems, designed for mobile backhaul in suburban and rural morphologies, offer the ability to turn up new sites requiring high-capacity Ethernet or hybrid Ethernet/TDM without the need to wait for a license. As a result, the link can be field-upgraded to licensed band operation without purchasing a new system.
Both the EX-5i-DS3GF and EX-5i-DS3GL systems support standard and optional features, including:
- QPSK to 256QAM operation, enabling full-duplex throughput up to 187 Mbps in 30 MHz single pole and 374 Mbps dual pole (XPIC)
- Two 10/100/1000BaseT interfaces to support data and out-of-band management
- One SFP port (1000BaseX) to support interoperability with on-site routers
- 16xT1 and 1xDS3 ports for hybrid Ethernet and native TDM operation
- +27, +30 and +33dBm output power options for long paths
- 1+0, 1+1 and 1+1 SD operation
- Exalt's unique 1.5+0 semi-protected operation for cost-effective protection
- Cross-polarization interference cancellation (XPIC)
- Adaptive modulation (ACM) for higher average throughput or smaller antennas
- Ethernet capacity aggregation up to 750 Mbps at 5.8 or 6 GHz
The dual-band EX-5i-DS3GL adds the ability to field-upgrade to 6 GHz licensed band operation using easy-to-install external diplexers. Operators can switch from license-exempt to licensed band operation in a matter of minutes, with no changes to the waveguide or antenna infrastructure, says a representative. Rather than deploying a 5 GHz system to get a site on the air and swapping it for a licensed system, operators can now deploy a license-exempt system in a matter of hours, and then convert to licensed band operation as needed.
"Mobile and other network operators are simultaneously confronted with rising capacity demands, more complex data networking architectures, and constant pressure to turn up new sites as quickly as possible," explains Mark Davis, sr. director of product marketing at Exalt Communications. "With these new systems, we've added significant new capability to the operator's toolbox and given them the option of purchasing one system that meets both the need for rapid deployment and the desire for licensed band peace of mind."