WHITE PAPER

ADC's All IP-RAN

Network Architecture

ADC's Solution for

All IP-RAN

Network Architecture
Problem
Carriers are facing increasing challenges in earning a share of the customers
spend, given the multi-dimensional nature of end-user services and
applications (voice, data, and video). To overcome these challenges, carriers
must expand their offerings to reach environments (e.g. home, office,
mobile, etc.) outside their existing primary domain. Consumers (residential
and enterprise) are demanding service ubiquity, and access from anywhere,
and anytime using a single device for communication. Carriers must find a
way to expand their portfolios to offer cost-effective services across many
access technologies, while delivering bandwidth-intensive data services
such as video to handset. These services will demand greater bandwidth,
capacity and coverage leading carriers to evolve their Radio Access Network
(RAN) to a cost effective and highly scalable access infrastructure.

Market Drivers for Change

Mobile operators are now in a position where voice volumes are
steadily increasing, but voice revenues are not. Although data volumes
are still low, most of the operators see future revenue growth coming
from packet-based services, fueled by the arrival of broadband
wireless technologies such as 3G, wireless LAN, and WiMAX.
These next-generation, packet-based services embrace applications like mobile
video that are likely to boost backbone bandwidth requirements considerably
and also require operators to put in place technologies that guarantee quality
of service (QoS). At the same time they need to hold down costs notably
operating costs, which are moving upward in circuit-based backbones.
Add to this the extra dimension of fixed/mobile convergence, and its
easy to see why mobile operators are as keen as wireline operators on
rolling out NGN infrastructure. They need to drive down bandwidth
costs, and be able to roll out new services faster. They want to be
able to control QoS and pave the way for offering services that can be
delivered over any access network, wireless or wireline. They also want
a single scalable infrastructure that is easy to manage and maintain.

ADC's All IP-RAN Network Architecture

2. Single Transport Network (Network Simplicity)

The three most critical forces of growth in

the wireless industry driving change are:

Simple network access, security and authentication

(single user sign-on) drive the integration of wireline
and wireless network access. The demands for IP-based
data and video services create a need for a unified
network that delivers seamless access to the carriers
network. Moreover, todays TDM-based (E1/T1) networks
are difficult to manage and become bottlenecks in
offering bandwidth-intensive data and video services.
The increasing number of cells are creating a need
for single management and control infrastructure.

1. Capacity (Bandwidth)
For services such as:
Mobile TV
Video Telephony
IPTV on demand
Instant messaging
IP Telephony
WebShare services

3. Coverage (Mobility)

High-speed Internet

Information anytime and anywhere for users is

driving the need for mobility. Consumers are
now spending 70 percent of their time inside
buildings where they are using the same single
communication handset. Carriers distant macro sites
do not provide sufficient coverage (signal strength)
to serve these handsets indoors and outdoors.

Push to X
Multimedia services
Carriers want to offer increasingly feature-rich
applications that become key differentiators for
them. These applications will increase the need
for bandwidth on the data network leading to
increased demand for larger backhaul bandwidth
than todays T1s and E1s. Furthermore, these
demands are creating a need for cell splitting and
frequency reuse on already expensive RF spectrum.

Radio Access Network (RAN)

CORE Network

Fiber

SGSN/GGSN
BTS
BSC

E1/T1

Fiber-based DAS

TDM Network

Fiber

MSC
BTS

BTS

Fiber-based DAS

Today: TDM-based GSM/GPRS Network

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ADC's All IP-RAN Network Architecture

ADCs All IP-RAN

Architecture Solution

Thus the 2G/2.5G BTS (handling GSM/GPRS, TDMA,

and CDMA) uses TDM transport, while the Node B of
early releases of UMTS R99 uses ATM and ATM inverse
multiplexing (IMA). More recent 3G/4G developments
(UMTS R5 and R6, and CDMA 2000) look to IP-overEthernet. Developments such as WiMAX are being built
right from the outset around IP and Ethernet transport.

The current TDM-based network architecture must

evolve to meet the business requirements of the new
all-IP architecture vision. The challenge with carriers
current network architecture is that it was not designed
with convergence in mind and cannot deliver an
optimal customer experience and cost structure.

While it is unlikely that all these access types would occur

in a single RAN transport network, it is probable that
several will coexist as the access network evolves, and
as different available traffic feeds present themselves
as being attractive in different parts of the network. So
carriers need to understand what the evolution path
is and to ensure that the transport layer is optimized
around that path in their evolving terrestrial RANs.

Given that carriers have already made large

investments in TDM network infrastructure, the
road map for the new network architecture requires
a phased approach that allows carriers to extend
the new network elements from their legacy
networks to minimize incremental investments.

ADCs Residential, Enterprise,

and Outdoor Solutions

RAN Evolution Toward

IP-based Infrastructure

The demands created by bandwidth-intensive

applications are driving many carriers to procure
technologies to extend their GPRS/EDGE RAN into
residential, enterprise and outdoor applications. ADC is
driving the next generation RAN evolution to IP-based
RAN architecture with the FlexWave family of products.

The mobile RAN shows a rich set of access speeds

and types, as each mobile generation has brought an
evolution in the mobile elements used to deliver the
RAN traffic. Also, operators are using their ingenuity
to incorporate a wide range of legacy transport
mechanisms into the RAN, particularly as 3G rollouts
often overlay the existing 2G footprint. Mechanisms
include TDM, DSL, microwave links, ATM, IP-overmultilink PPP (MLPPP), and IP-over-Ethernet.

With 3G handsets becoming ever more popular

and the mobile phone rapidly becoming a handheld
entertainment center as well as a communications
tool, the demand for consistent quality of service (QoS)
continues to increase. Consumers expect to have the
user experience that they have been promised by
their service provider, regardless of their location.

Fiber-based DAS

IP-based Remote BTS

Residential or Enterprise

TDM
Network

BTS

BSC

S G S N/
GGSN

E1/T1

MSC

Internet

ATM-RAN

RNC

IP-RAN

MGW

Node B-R99

Fiber-based DAS
Node B-R5/6

Evolving GSM/UMTS Networks Disparate RAN Backhaul Technologies

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ADC's All IP-RAN Network Architecture

The reason for this is that the size and structure

of these large sites often inhibit effective signal
penetration, making it difficult to offer the consistent
coverage and capacity required for 3G services.

IP-based solution giving carriers the ability to rapidly

address the coverage and capacity challenges in
the residential, enterprise and outdoor (macro)
areas while utilizing the existing 2G-based core
network elements. The solution offers a potential
30-40 percent CAPEX savings by using a customers
existing IP network to backhaul traffic to the MSC.
Operators can realize these savings by utilizing the
FlexWave BSS solution which is a complete GSM
base station system delivering GSM over IP.

Coverage is often compromised by the high frequency

of 3G signals. The higher a signals frequency, the
greater the likelihood that it will be absorbed by the
buildings structure. Furthermore, the pilot signal,
required for the handset to see the network within 3G
technology, is not as prominent as in 2G. As a result, it
is harder for mobile devices to lock onto the network
within indoor environments. Additionally, site owners
are often unwilling to have unsightly external antennas
installed adjacent to their sleekly designed centers.

The major components of the complete

FlexWave Base Station solution are:
FlexWave nanoBTS for multi-tenant residential and
enterprise applications;

Capacity is also key to the effective delivery of 3G

services. However, relying on the traditional distant
macro sites results in many users sharing the same
capacity and diluting the potential data rate.

FlexWave microBTS for outdoor, specialty applications;

ADC Realizes the Benefits

of Unified IP-RAN

ADCs FlexWave nanoBTS for multi-tenant residential

and enterprise applications delivers standards-based air
interfaces to mobile handsets, utilizing IP for backhaul.
ADCs FlexWave network elements are supported
by a common network control and management
system delivering a complete RAN solution. Further
reductions to CAPEX are realized by utilizing the
FlexWave WMX WiMAX and LoopStar products
that create IP-based wired and wireless backhaul.

FlexWave Base Station Controller; and

FlexWave Network Management System

ADCs FlexWave solutions are focused on delivering

coverage and capacity for operators: from macro
coverage via the FlexWave RRH and DAS using packetized
RF, in-building coverage with the FlexWave residential
and enterprise gateways, to ADCs LoopStar product
family for backhauling multi-service wired IP traffic. ADCs
FlexWave solutions are designed on the evolutionary
approach to a path for an all-IP network of the future,
building a foundation for fixed mobile convergence. The
FlexWave solution is the industrys leading end-to-end
IP-Enabled Coverage and Capacity Solutions

Backhaul Solutions

C O R E N etw o rk

W M X W iM A X L in k

F le x W a v e
M ic ro B T S

S G S N/GGSN

ADCs Converged
IP Radio Access Netw ork
(IP-RAN)
Internet

IP

F le x W a v e
BSC

F le x W a v e
NMS

W M X W iM A X L in k

MSC
F le x W a v e
nanoB TS

Internet

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ADC's All IP-RAN Network Architecture

The LoopStar products' ability to support multi-service

traffic, providing Gigabit bandwidth interfaces to the
WAN, make them a sound choice in building the
first step to an all IP-RAN. Moreover, the integrated
ADC FlexWave WMX WiMAX products ability to be
deployed anywhere within Line of Sight (LoS) gives
operators flexibility to optimize coverage by placing the
BTS where required rather than placing it where wired
TDM transport is available. This approach delivers great
flexibility in optimizing the RAN to reduce cell splitting.

Provides faster time-to-service;

ADCs FlexWave Solutions are designed to help wireless

operators achieve the coverage they need while
reducing their financial investment in an infrastructure
by using the IP network to backhaul voice and data
traffic to the MSC. ADCs all IP-RAN solution builds
a foundation for wireless operators to evolve to an
all IP-RAN for delivery of IMS-based services.

As the carriers network evolves to an all-IP-based network

delivering 3G-based converged services, ADCs FlexWave
BSS solution will continue to evolve to support delivery
of enhanced IP-based services and provide a seamless
evolution to the IMS-based platforms of the future.

E nables the simplest handoff control between

in-building and the wide area cellular coverage;
C
 reates a single management and provisioning
interface for residential, Enterprise and outdoor
implementations; and
Increases coverage and capacity (for bandwidthintensive services such as IPTV) where and when
needed; on demand.

In addition, mobile operators can use FlexWaves RRH/

DAS technology to provide enhanced coverage and
capacity; while supporting multiple operators, effectively
increasing the amount of sites each operator can reach.

FlexWave BSS Solution:

Increases ARPU via increased customer loyalty;
C
 reates a foundation for fixed mobile convergence
to support IMS services;

FlexWave solutions are designed to help mobile

operators achieve their ultimate coverage and capacity
both indoors and out while reducing their financial
investment in the hardware infrastructure and OPEX.

R
 educes CAPEX and OPEX via a single IP backhaul
network for all services;

Carriers can now look to ADC to cost effectively

deliver unique wireless solutions to solve common
problems in more places than ever before.

Extends coverage and capacity in hard-to-reach areas;

Increases network capacity to support bandwidthintensive services (video);
IP-Enabled Coverage and Capacity Solutions

Backhaul Solutions

BTS

F le x W a v e
F ib e r D A S

L o o p S ta r
700

F ib e r

S G S N/
GGSN

TD M over
E th e n e t
F le x W a v e
nanoB TS

C O R E N etw o rk

L o o p S ta r
700
IP(GbE)

MSC

ADCs Converged
IP Radio Access Netw ork
(RAN)

F le x W a v e
BSC

Eth e rn e t

F le x W a v e
W ire le s s
RRH/DAS

L o o p S ta r
700

F le x W a v e
MMW

RNC

MGW

Node B

F le x W a v e
M ic ro B T S

W M X W iM A X L in k

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ADC's All IP-RAN Network Architecture

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White Paper

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improving our products, ADC reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. At any time, you may
verify product specifications by contacting our headquarters office in Minneapolis. ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
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104894AE 7/07 Original 2007 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All Rights Reserved