This report is written for a wide variety of technical, managerial and sales staff of IT departments working to support corporation communications networks. Equipment vendors can find in the report the survey of competing products. For networks designers, this report explains microwave radio applications, benefits and issues. It is also useful for service providers that utilize in their network infrastructure related technologies.

This report goal was to analyze advanced trends in the developing of high-frequencies communications systems. The goal was achieved through addressing a wide range of technologies and related markets.

This report concentrates on:

     SONET/SDH microwave radio: 2 GHz-40 GHz
     Packet microwave radio: 2 GHz-40 GHz
     60 GHz radio
     E-Band microwave radio
     Free space optics: THz.

The common denominator for all these technologies is utilization of the microwave spectrum.  Free Space Optics was included as a protection technology for microwave path; though, the report also discusses its other applications.

The report emphasizes specifics of each technological group, their applications, benefits and disadvantages; as well as related markets.
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction

    1.1 Brief History
    1.2 Why Microwave?
    1.3 SONET/SDH
    1.4 mm-Wave Radio
    1.5 Microwave Packet Radio
    1.6 Wireless Fiber Systems
    1.7 Scope and Goals
    1.8 Research Methodology
    1.9 Target Audience

2.0 SONET/SDH Microwave Radio

    2.1 General
    2.2 Spectrum
        2.2.1 Unlicensed SSMR
    2.3 SONET/SDH
        2.3.1 Format
    2.4 Structure
        2.4.1 Diversity
    2.5 Standards
        2.5.1 ITU Standards
            2.5.1.1 Examples
        2.5.2 ETSI Standards
    2.6 Microwave Radio vs. Leased Line
    2.7 SONET/SDH Radio Market
        2.7.1 Applications
            2.7.1.1 Mobile Networks
            2.7.1.2 Last-Mile Access
            2.7.1.3 Private Networks
            2.7.1.4 Disaster Recovery
            2.7.1.5 The Digital Divide
            2.7.1.6 Developing Nations
            2.7.1.7 Utilities Networks
            2.7.1.8 Emergency Radio
    2.8 Market Projections
        2.8.1 Model Assumptions
        2.8.2 Forecasts
    2.9 Security
        2.9.1 General
        2.9.2 Types of Attacks
            2.9.2.1 Passive Attacks
            2.9.2.2 Active Attacks

    2.10 SONET/SDH Microwave Radio Vendors
        ABB
        Agilis
        Airlinx
        Alcatel-Lucent
        Aviat Networks
        Ceragon
        Ericsson
        Exalt
        www.exaltcom.com
        Fujitsu
        Microwave Data Systems (GE MDS)
        Microwave Networks
        NEC
        Nera (acquired by Ceragon in 2011)
        SAF
        Nokia Siemens Networks
        SIAE (SIAE MICROELETTRONICA LTD)
        Thales
        Westica
        ZTE

3.0 Microwave Packet Radio

    3.1 Requirements and Application
    3.1.2 Mobile Technologies - Microwave Packet Radio Market Drivers
    3.2 Hybrid
    3.3 Benefits of Microwave Packet Radio
    3.4 Market
    3.4.1 Geography

    3.5 Industry
        Alcatel-Lucent
        Aviat
        Cambridge Broadband
        Ceragon
        Comba
        DragonWave
        Ericsson
        Exalt
        Huawei
        NEC
        Nokia Siemens Networks
        Positron
        Trango Systems

4.0 mm-Wave Radio

    4.1 General
    4.2 Factors: 60 GHz Radio
        4.2.1 Regulatory Climate
    4.3 E-band
    4.4 Goals
        4.4.1 Progress in the Chip Technology for mm-Wave Radio
    4.5 60 GHz Radio Technology and Market
        4.5.1 General
        4.5.2 Spectrum Specifics
        4.5.3 Oxygen Absorption
        4.5.4 Antenna
        4.5.5 Radiation Limiting at 60 GHz
        4.5.6 Combined Effect
        4.5.7 Modulation
    4.6 Specifics
        4.6.1 Indoor Behavior
        4.6.2 Wi-Fi and 60 GHz Radio
    4.7 Progress
    4.8 60 GHz Fixed Wireless-Last Mile
        4.8.1 General
        4.8.2 Details-Characteristics
        4.8.3 Place
        4.8.4 Addressable Market
        4.8.4.1 General
        4.8.4.2 Drivers
        4.8.4.3 Forecast
        4.8.5 Industry
            BridgeWave
            Comotech
            LightPointe
            Proxim
            Rayawave
            Solectek
            Vubiq

    4.9 60 GHz Radio-IEEE 802.15.3c and Competition
        4.9.1 General
        4.9.2 Demand
        4.9.3 Specifics
        4.9.4 Benefits for WPAN
        4.9.5 Applications
        4.9.6 Challenges
        4.9.7 Standardization and Development: WirelessHD, IEEE 802.15.3c and Other
            4.9.7.1 WirelessHD
            4.9.7.2 Details: WirelessHD Technology
                4.9.7.2.1 Completion
                4.9.7.2.2 Summary
            4.9.7.3 Amimon
            4.9.7.3.1 Progress
        4.9.8 IEEE 802.15.3c
            4.9.8.1 Current Status
            4.9.8.2 Benefits
        4.9.9 IEEE Very High Throughput Group- IEEE 802.11ad
            4.9.9.1 General
            4.9.9.2 IEEE 802.11ad and IEEE 802.15.3c
            4.9.9.3 Details
        4.9.10 Diversity
        4.9.11 Market
            4.9.11.1 General: Applications
            4.9.11.2 Market Development: Specifics
            4.9.11.3 Forecast
        4.9.12 Players and Projects
            Cables to Go
            Gefen
            IBM
            IMEC
            LG
            NEC
            Phiar-Motorola
            Panasonic
            SiBeam (Silicon Image)
            Vubiq
    4.10 Comparison
    4.11 60 GHz WPAN: Example
    4.12 Advantages and Challenges
    4.13 E-band Radio: Technology and Market
        4.13.1 General
        4.13.2 Benefits
        4.13.3 Regulations
        4.13.4 Frequency Plan
        4.13.5 Additional Characteristics
        4.13.6 Major Applications
        4.13.7 Market Prospective
            4.13.7.1 Last Mile
            4.13.7.2 Estimate
        4.13.8 Vendors
            ADC - TE Connectivity
            Asyrmatos- Lumera
            Bridgewave
            Comotech
            E-band Communications
            ElvaLink
            Endwave- GigOptix
            G4 Networks
            GigaBeam
            Fujitsu
            LightPointe
            Loea Corporation
            Proxim

5.0 Wireless Fiber Communications (WFC): Technology

    5.1 General
    5.2 Major Characteristics
        5.2.1 Protection
    5.3 Applications
        5.3.1 Requirements
        5.3.2 Inter-satellite Links
        5.3.3 Intra-building Communications
        5.3.4 Inter-building Communications
    5.4 WFS Benefits and Limitations: Summary
        5.4.1 Weather Factor
        5.4.2 Building Swaying
    5.5 Design Issues
    5.6 Customers
    5.7 WFS Market
        5.7.1 General
        5.7.2 Market Drivers
        5.7.3 Competition
            5.7.3.1 Fiber Optics Systems
            5.7.3.2 Microwave
            5.7.3.3 PONs
        5.7.4 Forecast
            5.7.4.1 General
            5.7.4.2 Model Assumptions
            5.7.4.3 Structure
            5.7.4.4 Market Estimate
    5.8 Vendors
        Aoptix
        CableFree
        Canon USA
        CBL
        Dailianxu Engineering Company
        Dominion Laserbeam-SkyFiber
        fSONA
        GeoDesy
        LightPointe
        LSA
        MRV
        Optel
        Plaintree
        RedLine
        Solectek

6.0 Conclusions

    References

    Figure 1: Spectrum Assignment
    Figure 2: SONET Frame (OC-1)
    Figure 3: Simplified - SSMR Structure
    Figure 4: TAM: SSMR and Associated Equipment Global Sales ($B)
    Figure 5: TAM: SSMR and Associated Equipment Global Sales (Unit 000)
    Figure 6: SSMR Market Granularity - Rate of Transmission
    Figure 7: SSMR Market Granularity - Frequency Bands
    Figure 8: Geographical Segmentation of SONET/SDH Radio Market
    Figure 9: Segmentation by Method of Protection: SONET/SDH Radio Market
    Figure 10: Passive Attack
    Figure 11: Backhaul - Microwave
    Figure 12: TAM: Microwave Packet Radio Global Sales ($B)
    Figure 13: Microwave Packet Radio Market Geography (2011)
    Figure 14: Unlicensed Bands
    Figure 15: 60 GHz Connections
    Figure 16: 60 GHz: Frequency Allocations
    Figure 17: 60 GHz: Spectrum Details
    Figure 18: mm-Wave Energy Attenuation in 60 GHz Band
    Figure 19: 60 GHz: Absorption Details
    Figure 20: Frequency Bands Features Comparison
    Figure 21: TAM: 60 GHz Radio Global Sales - Outdoors Fixed ($M)
    Figure 22: TAM: 60 GHz Radio Global Sales Outdoors Fixed (Units)
    Figure 23: 60 GHz "Open" Spectrum
    Figure 24: IEEE Group Structure: 802.15
    Figure 25: TAM: U.S. WPAN 60 GHz Radio Sales ($M)
    Figure 26: 60 GHz WPAN Example
    Figure 27: Frequency Allocation
    Figure 28: TAM - US-E-band Radio-Last Mile Access ($M)
    Figure 29: Addressable Market-US-E-band Radio-Last Mile Access (Units 000)
    Figure 30: Simplified WFC Device Diagram
    Figure 31: WFC Market Segments
    Figure 32: TAM: U.S. WFS Sales ($M)
    Figure 33: TAM: U.S. WFS Sales (Unit 000)
    Figure 34: WFS Market Geography

    Table 1: Microwave Frequencies Bands
    Table 2: SONET/SDH Rates
    Table 3: Licensed and Unlicensed SONET/SDH Radio Proportion
    Table 4: Differentiation by Path Length: SONET/SDH Radio
    Table 5: Antenna Directivity
    Table 6: 60 GHz Links Characteristics
    Table 7: Characteristics Details
    Table 8: Attenuation
    Table 9: Properties
    Table 10: Required Speed
    Table 11: Competition
    Table 12: WPAN Technologies Characteristics
    Table 13: FCC Regulations