Ceragon Networks Ltd. announced the launch of its new generation of packet radio solutions, FibeAir IP-20C. Striving to meet the unique demands of 4G/LTE-A networks and provide mobile operators with long-term network planning peace of mind, FibeAir IP-20C is breaking the traditional capacity barriers, and is the only microwave radio to offer a virtual fiber solution in licensed bands. FibeAir IP-20C features a breakthrough multi-core technology that employs a parallel radio processing engine to double the link performance. This allows FibeAir IP-20C to deliver multi-Gbps capacity on a single frequency channel - setting a new standard for efficient spectrum usage and significantly improving operators’ total cost of ownership (TCO). By employing line-of-sight (LoS) 4X4 MIMO, operators can even reach capacities that quadruple those of existing solutions, at half the form-factor.

Ceragon’s FibeAir IP-20C boosts spectral efficiency to meet the increasingly demanding capacity requirements of advanced HetNet backhaul and fronthaul scenarios. Built around Ceragon’s own baseband modem and RFIC technologies, it is the next leap in Ceragon’s Holistic HetNet Hauling (3H) vision which redefines wireless connectivity in heterogeneous networks. Currently in trials at selected customers, the FibeAir IP-20C is scheduled to be released for general availability in Q1 2013.

“With wireless capacity requirements on the increase, traditional backhaul models are no longer sustainable,” says Ron Kline, Principal Analyst Network Infrastructure, Ovum. “Operators need to significantly increase capacity without sacrificing profitability. A microwave equipment vendor that can offer a true capacity leap, while breaking the linearity of cost and capacity, can gain meaningful market differentiation.”

“Ceragon again sets a new bar for the industry with our game-changing products,” said Ira Palti, Ceragon’s President and CEO.  “We strive every day to challenge the capacity barriers, in order to help our customers deliver gigabits of data anywhere in their network. Using our in-house chip sets and innovative system designs, we are pushing the envelope of physics time and again, creating the best microwave products for any channel bandwidth, any capacity, any protocol and any network architecture.”

FibeAir IP-20C is easily adaptable for any deployment scenario with features including:

  • Highly integrated, multi-core radio in a compact form factor
  • Guaranteed 1Gbps in a single 28MHz/30MHz channel
  • Guaranteed 2Gbps radio throughput in a single 56/60MHz channel
  • Further capacity increase using 80MHz channels as recently approved by the FCC
  • Parallel radio processing engine to double performance
  • Unique 4X4 LoS MIMO
  • 2048 QAM modulation
  • Ultra-low latency
  • Green design - low power consumption
  • Simple to install, quick to deploy

Implementing Ceragon’s 3H Vision

FibeAir IP-20C is the first implementation of Ceragon’s Holistic HetNet Hauling (3H) vision. The 3H approach combines technologies, equipment and services to address the disruptive change in mobile network paradigms, and their evolution towards data-driven, 4G/LTE-A HetNets (heterogeneous networks). 3H sets out how operators can provide seamless, high-capacity, easy-to-deploy hauling for their HetNet architectures - from traditional backhaul environments connecting base stations to aggregation points; through the combination of macro cell and small cell topologies and RAN-sharing concepts; to new fronthaul scenarios connecting remote radio heads with cloud-based digital units.