News Brief

TISCALI and ZTE Partner for Ultra Broadband Network in Sardinia

7 October 2010, Roma Tiscali, one of the main independent telecom companies in Italy, and ZTE have signed a strategic framework agreement with the aim of fostering the extension of ultrawide broadband in Italy, starting with the development of an FTTH network in Sardinia. This important agreement has been signed today by Renato SORU, Tiscali CEO and by Fan Qingfeng, Executive VP and Head of Global Sales of ZTE, at Villa Madama in the presence of the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao who is visiting high level Italian government officials to discuss the main issues at the basis of the intense relationship of over 40 years between Italy and China, in the field of economy, trade, environment and technology. The partnership between ZTE and Tiscali will include collaboration from a technology and trade/financial standpoint to evaluate, study and design next generation services that Tiscali can provide to its customer base. In the first phase of the project Tiscali and ZTE will implement a fiber optic network in Sardinia, taking advantage of the ongoing work for the local gas network in the extended Cagliari area, which includes over 50 thousand lines of Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) coverage. This project, designed both by Tiscali and ZTE, will be inserted into the context of the other licensed operators in Italy that are on the frontline asking government and institutions to establish a fiber optic network.

ZTE Announces 2010 9-Month Result

Profit rises 14.21% in the period Revenue from terminal products grew by 30.53%
27 October 2010, Hong Kong ZTE today reported a 7.51% increase in operating revenue to USD 6.87 billion for the nine months ended 30 September 2010. In the same period, net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company grew 14.21% to USD203.1 million year-on-year. Basic earnings per share amounted to USD 0.0731. For the system products, the companys wireless offerings continue to perform in a competitive market. ZTE has achieved tremendous technological advancement in the LTE/TD-LTE arena. The UniRAN solution based on SDR technology has been well received in the market. Within the wireline product suite, FTTx solutions remain ranked among the top 2 in the world, and the companys optical transmission products are now ranked at the top 3 in the world for the first time. Revenue from terminal products grew by 30.53% due to Chinas expanding 3G market, the popularity of Android handsets in Europe and the U.S., as well as data card products. The cooperation with Vodafone and Hutchison in the smartphone business has also achieved great progress while the companys relationship with major operators such as Verizon has strengthened. Revenue from the telecommunication software systems, services and other products also grew by 23.94%, reflecting primarily growth in the sales of video, network terminals and service offerings. In the first nine months, ZTE focused on developing its presence in the U.S. and European markets as well as in developing countries. The company also cooperated with France Telecom, Telkom, Telefonica, America Movil, Brasil Telecom and other global mainstream telecommunications operators in different products to form a new collaboration. ZTEs 3G equipment was also successfully launched in Hungary, Poland and a number of CIS countries, as well as making successful inroads into Brazil and South Africa, laying a solid foundation for the companys future growth in these markets.

www.zte.com.cn

A Monthly Publication

Vol. 12 No. 11 Issue 130 November/2010

P3

Interview Embracing a New Era of Wireless Communications with Technological Innovation

An interview with Pu Yingchun, Chief Engineer of ZTEs GSM/UMTS products

Focus

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Uni-RAN Booming in Europe

Drawing on quality products and efficient project delivery, ZTE has deployed Uni-RAN for European operators including Telenor Montenegro, KPN Germany and Belgium, Sonaecom Portugal, and Cosmote Romania

P13

Next-Generation SDR: The Choice for Future-Oriented Radio Networks

ZTEs next-generation SDR base stations with innovative architecture are used to build state-of-the-art networks without the need to change any hardware

P10

Moving Towards Multi-System Interoperability

In the evolution from GSM to LTE-A, four or more generations of mobile technologies will coexist in the market as a result of market segmentation

P16

GSM-R: An Innovative Railway Wireless Communications System

GSM-R provides a variety of data communication services that support rail dispatch and control, as well as the development of information empowered railways

Editorial Board

Third Eye ZTEs ZXSDR 8000 Family

Across its family of products, ZTE can point to strong capacity performance, good scalability, and a multistandard solution that includes not only GSM and WCDMA, but also CDMA2000

Editor-in-Chief: Jiang Hua

19

Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Huang Xinming Editorial Director: Zhao Lili Executive Editor: Yue Lihua Editor: Paul Sleswick Circulation Manager: Wang Pingping

ZTE Ready to Boost Next-Generation Access Market Share in Europe

Chinese vendor unveils Uni-FAN platform designed to help operators manage DSL and fibre networks



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Solution Low-Cost Power Solution for Co-Siting Base Stations

With accurate market positioning, excellent performance, and reliable quality, ZXDU68 T451 power solution for co-siting base stations has been enthusiastically received

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ZTE Profile
ZTE is a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions. It has the widest and most complete product range in the worldcovering virtually every sector of the wireline, wireless, service and terminals markets. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in more than 140 countries, helping them achieve continued revenue growth and shape the future of the worlds communications.

GPON Mobile Backhaul Solution

Although GPON is a fixed-line broadband fiber technology, its low cost and high bandwidth are advantageous for mobile backhaul connections

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News Brief

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Interview

Embracing a New Era of Wireless Communications with Technological Innovation

An interview with Pu Yingchun, Chief Engineer of ZTEs GSM/UMTS products

By Fang Li

he mobile communications industry is experiencing great changes in 2010. Mobile Internet and smart terminals are developing rapidly, and with such fast-paced development, network owners are put under pressure to quickly evolve their networks to meet high performance and data rate requirements. As tariff-perbit continues to decline due to fierce market competition, more attention is being focused on network construction and operation costs. ZTE is committed to continuous innovation in the wireless sector. Its wireless products have made inroads into high-end European and North American markets, and the company now ranks among the worlds leading wireless suppliers. To gain greater insight into ZTEs wireless innovation, Journalist Fang Li recently interviewed Pu Yingchun, Chief Engineer of ZTEs GSM/UMTS products. Journalist: With the rapid growth of mobile Internet and popularity of smart terminals, mobile broadband networks have become an inevitable trend. What challenges do you think traditional mobile operators face? Pu Yingchun: It is inevitable that mobile operators will develop mobile broadband

Pu Yingchun joined ZTE in 1999, and now serves as Chief Engineer of the companys GSM/UMTS products and wireless network planning.

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d a t a t e c h n o l o g y. H o w e v e r, t h e y must address issues of multinetwork convergence and reduce CAPEX and OPEX. In the development of mobile communications, some well-known equipment suppliers have lagged behind, some have withdrawn from the industry, and some have merged with other companies. Sustained development of vendor business has therefore been a major concern of operators. It is crucial for operators to choose a reliable, stable, and consistent long-term partner. Tr a d i t i o n a l b a s e s t a t i o n s a n d networking modes do not support smooth upgrade and evolution, and this results in high-risk investment and long business cycles. To satisfy development trends in mobile communications, a solution needs to be found that allows for flexible configuration of different systems and standards. Software Defined Radio (SDR) is an ideal choice. Since it was introduced, SDR has proven to be a great strength, and in only two or three years, has become widely accepted throughout the industry. It is an effective solution to

knotty problems faced by operators in network construction. J: ZTE has insisted on creating customer value through technological innovation. Could you talk about how ZTE innovates to help operators cope with new challenges? Pu: ZTE took the lead in introducing SDR to wireless communications. We set the trend of deep network convergence by inventing the SDR platform. Mobile networks such a s G S M , U M T S , LT E , C D M A , a n d Wi M A X c a n b e c o m p l e t e l y converged on a unified, advanced hardware platform through software configuration. In 2008, ZTE launched the industrys first SDR next-generation base stations as well as an innovative all-IP Uni-RAN solution featuring multimode and multiband convergence, smooth evolution, and energy conservation. SDR and Uni-RAN represent a revolution in wireless network construction. They simplify network structure, make multinetwork convergence possible, and allow smooth evolution toward LTEthe next-

generation high-speed wireless access technology. Our ultimate goal is not necessarily technological innovation, but to create real value for customers. A distinct advantage of our SDR base stations is multimode and multiband convergence. This is a great benefit to operators running both 2G and 3G networks. They need only one set of infrastructure equipment instead of two, so their investments in equipment, space, and auxiliary facilities are significantly reduced. CSLHong Kongs leading mobile operatororiginally ran two networks of dual modes on three frequency bands. This resulted in complicated network architecture, large investment in hardware upgrade, and high maintenance costs. By adopting our Uni-RAN solution, CSL has greatly reduced its network TCO. The original 2G and 3G networks have been converged into one; the number of base station racks has been reduced from 5,019 to 1,500; and unified network management and maintenance has been implemented. New SDR base stations with all-IP architecture support FE/GE

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interfaces, and allow transmission facilities to be shared between different networks. After the transmission change from original E1 to FE, CSL can reduce expenses by 86 million HKD annually. Another technological innovation featured in our SDR base stations is a high-efficiency power amplifier. Using a unique digital power algorithm and dynamic power tracking (D-PT) technology, power amplification efficiency can reach 50%, and average power consumption decreases by 45%. This reduces energy consumption and lowers operational expenditure. SDR base stations also support distributed architecture. Because BBUs and RRUs are small and lightweight, they can fit into existing space, or may even require zero-footprint installation. During installation, no special tools are required for transportation. In our Montenegro project, 70% of base station sites were located in mountainous areas, 40% of which were snow covered. Poor traffic and infrastructure facilities there presented a great challenge to our engineers. Despite these difficulties, our project team completed configuration and swapover of 237 2G/3G base

stations within 53 days. We fulfilled the requirements of our customer and won high recognition from them. The success of this project can be attributed to the hard work of our project team and also the great value SDR base stations brought to our customer. Our SDR base stations and UniRAN solution have been widely adopted by European operators such as Telenor Montenegro, Telenor Hungary, E-Plus Group Germany, KPN Belgium, Sonaecom Portugal, and Cosmote Romania. Their 2G and 3G networks are now converged, and allow for smooth evolution to HSPA+ and LTE through software upgrade. Nextgeneration SDR base stations have become the preferred choice for mobile operators worldwide. J: Many operators have special requirements. What attempts has ZTE made in the area of customized service? In this era of cut-throat competition, how does ZTE satisfy market demands for customization? Pu: Operators need to provide differentiated service in order to compete. Therefore, they need

innovative technologies and solutions to help maintain a competitive edge or to elevate their brand image. ZTE is a latecomer to the mobile communication industry, which makes it all the more important to provide value through innovative and differentiated products and services. This will elevate ZTEs status within the industry. ZTEs many success stories are testament to its strong emphasis on customized service. In Hong Kong, we took the lead in commercializing SDR base stations, and converged GSM, UMTS, and LTE. We also provided a customized HSPA+ and UMTS 900M solution for CSL, with a peak data rate of 18Mbps. In July 2010, e-Zonea reputable electronic journal in Hong Kongtested voice quality and data rates of four local UMTS operators: SmarTone-Vodafone, CSL, H3G, and PCCW. The results showed that CSLs network performed well in providing smooth, stable video programs with quick response. CSL and ZTE also announced in July 2010 a strategic move to deploy the worlds first commercial 1800/2600MHz dual-band LTE network, and to upgrade the 3G network data rate to 42Mbps using dual-carrier technology. The launch of LTE and dual-carrier HSPA is another initiative following the launch of HSPA+ 64QAM. This new technology gives CSL a technological advantage, strengthens the position of its mobile data services in the market, and improves mobile user experience. CSLs brand image has been elevated to a new high. ZTE not only strives to make technological breakthroughs and to satisfy customer requirements, but also incorporates customized service into engineering and project implementation. Despite difficulties in the CSL project, including complex

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wireless environments, difficulty in site acquisition, and a long review and approval wait for an engineering license, ZTE successfully completed the engineering, commissioning, and optimization of more than 2000 base stations. This was done in only 13 months. Such speed in network construction is unprecedented in Hong Kong and a new industry record was set. Coverage quality was increased to 6dBmeven better than that of the 900MHz GSM network. In cooperation with China Unicom, ZTE provides high-power, multicarrier, energy-efficient RRUs, in line with Chinas energy conservation and emissions reduction goals. In areas with sufficient fiber optic resources, we provide an innovative superbaseband cluster solution that lowers network construction and operation costs significantly. This satisfies the need for quick and cost-effective network construction, but also conforms to the trend of broadband, intelligent mobile networks. BBUs are installed in a centralized way and RRUs deployed remotely with fiber for flexible coverage. This method of deployment represents a revolution in the conventional network model. It shortens the length of a project by a third, and reduces power consumption by up to 85%. Energy-saving network construction was successfully carried out for Dalian Unicom, whose fiber optic resources are abundant. To keep pace with mobile Internet and to gain a competitive advantage in Chinas 3G market, China Unicom and ZTE joined hands to research and test HSPA+. In the second half of 2009, ZTE began testing HSPA+ 64QAM. The results of field testing in Shenzhen showed that the average data rate for indoor subscribers was 19.97Mbps

and the average data rate for outdoor subscribers was 18Mbps. These results approach the theoretical maximum data rate of 21Mbps. In Europe, ZTE was the first to launch MIMO-based transceivers. The company made inroads into the Hungarian market with the worlds first MIMO-based transceivers. SDR multimode multiband distributed base stations were supplied to Telenor Hungary for the construction of a flat, simplified mobile network suitable for the coming 4G era. J: Energy-saving mobile networks are not only effective in reducing costs and increasing profit, but also demonstrate social responsibility and ensure sustained development. What technological breakthroughs or achievements has ZTE made in this respect? Pu: In the context of global energy saving and environmental protection, the highly competitive telecom industry also feels the pressure to reduce energy consumption. ZTE has been committed to developing energy-saving technologies since 2006, and has led the industry in power amplification efficiency since 2008. With power efficiency rates of 40% in 2009 and 45% in 2010, ZTE is the forerunner of energy saving within the industry. Combining power amplification efficiency with energy saving techniquessuch as voltage regulation, automatic carrier cutoff, and board managementoverall network power consumption is significantly reduced. In the CSL project, our SDR energysaving base stations and intelligent temperature control technique were used to reduce power consumed by airconditioning and ventilation systems. This cut down power consumption by

39% (7187 tons of carbon dioxide) annually. China Unicom has also enjoyed the many benefits of a 3G network constructed by ZTE. Investment in equipment has decreased by 20% (saving up to RMB 600 million); the number of equipment rooms has been decreased (saving up to RMB 1 billion on auxiliary facilities); and highefficiency amplifiers in base stations have reduced power consumption by 45% (saving up to RMB 100 million per year). Overall network construction costs and power consumption have been reduced by 40% and 85% respectively. The project was regarded by China Unicom as a success, to be promoted across the country. J: What are the development trends in the wireless industry? What plans has ZTE made regarding future wireless technologies and products? Pu: Data-oriented, broadband, multimode converged networks are an inevitable trend in the wireless c o m m u n i c a t i o n s i n d u s t r y. Ye t operators are still puzzled about what technologies to focus on: GSM EDGE, HSPA+, LTE, or even other families of wireless standards. As diverse wireless technologies and spectrums are introduced, there is also uncertainty about which technologies to develop, on which frequency bands, and how to develop them. So we need to address the issues of broadband multimode RF technology, multimode chips, and spectrum resource sharing and scheduling. We offer not only SDR equipment, but an adaptively evolving smart RAN that helps operators achieve smooth network convergence and evolution. This is still our main focus in technology development.

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Focus

Uni-RAN Booming in Europe

By Ling Jun

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We chose ZTE Uni-RAN solution to cover the central region of Portugal, not only to upgrade the existing networks, but also to prepare for the future evolution of LTE, staying ahead of the competition, said Jos Pinto Correia, CTO of Optimus.

Obstacles to Revenue Growth

urope is the most developed telecom market in the world, and leads the development of the global telecom industry. Mobile penetration throughout the continent now exceeds 100% while voice ARPU continues to drop every year. The era of generating revenue by expanding subscriber base has gone. Operators now look to data services as a way of stimulating revenue growth. Multimedia smartphones such as iPhone and Blackberry support a variety of data applications, and as their popularity increases, the mobile broadband data business approaches a golden age of development. However, mass data traffic does not generate revenue for operators. On the contrary, networks become more complicated, subscriber bandwidth requirements rapidly increase, and CAPEX and OPEX tend to increase also. Network performance-to-price must be improved, network complexity reduced, and savings made on cost per bit. In other words, operators must provide higher access rates, larger network capacity, and higher spectrum efficiency at lower costs. Responding to these needs, HSPA+/LTE has emerged as an industry-leading mobile broadband solution because of its good forward compatibility, interoperability with exiting 2G/3G systems, and low cost per bit.

Requirements of European Operators

Europe is a playground for top network operators. Known as a benchmark setter, Vodafone leads in technological development and provides fast customization and smooth evolution. France Telecom emphasizes project delivery, network O&M, and long-term cooperation with equipment

vendors. Telenor has its eyes set on energy saving and cost reduction throughout the lifecycle of a network. Because of the widespread availability of 2G and 3G terminals in the European market, conventional voice services are still in great demand and it is impossible to update networks to LTE overnight. 2G, 3G, and LTE systems will coexist for some time to come, each playing their own role. After years of optimization and evolution, GSM networks can now provide almost complete coverage from rural to urban, indoor to outdoor areas. GSM provides subscribers with basic voice and SMS services, while LTE offers high-speed data services in urban hotspot areas. In the wake of the global economic crisis, operators are more prudent with their investments. To satisfy increasing communication needs, the process of technological evolution is being sped upfrom 2G to 3G and LTE. Multiple wireless standards will coexist for a long time. Helping operators reduce CAPEX, protect investments, quickly deploy new technologies, and cut down multi-network O&M have become a major concern for equipment vendors. Smooth upgrade and evolution, as well as unified network O&M will free operators from network construction and O&M, and allow them to focus more on business development. The choice of platform will affect network development and O&M well into the future. A European operator, for example, has used GSM equipment for 15 years and UMTS equipment for more than 6 years. Their old equipment occupies a large amount of room and consumes a great deal of electricity every year. To run two independent networks, a lot of manpower and material resources are needed, and

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these result in high OPEX. Moreover, the operator is also pressed to replace aging GSM equipment with new technologies such as E-Edge, HSPA+, and LTE. The telecom industry recognizes that environmental awareness must be a core value, and has set targets for energy conservation and emissions reduction. The Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has set a goal to cut emissions across the industry by at least 40% of 1990 levels. The goal should be achieved by 2020 while maintaining a 70% growth in business. Energy savings and emissions reduction is not only a social requirement, but also fulfills operators desires for corporate social responsibility and to cut down costs.

2G

A Abis/lub BSC/RNC Abis/lub S1 A/luCS Gb/luPS MME

Figure 1. Uni-RAN (converged GSM/UMTS/LTE) solution.

Uni-RAN: The Choice for Converged GSM/UMTS/LTE

Today, radio communications technologies are developing rapidly, and subscriber requirements are becoming more diverse and personalized. Conventional base stations and networking modes cannot support smooth upgrade and evolution, and this results in high-risk investment and long business cycles. To meet the development trends for mobile communications, ZTE has developed an innovative base station using Soft Defined Radio (SDR) technology. New-generation SDR base stations are a first in the industry, supporting multicarrier and multi-standard operation, environmental protection, and smooth evolution. Z T E s S D R - b a s e d U n i - R A N (see Figure 1) allows operators to customize their networks. SDR base stations enable 2G/3G convergence, and support HSPA+ and smooth evolution to LTE through software upgrade. This helps minimize large

investments in network reconstruction and migration, and quickly enhances network performance and deployment of new services to counter fierce market competition. New-generation SDR base stations have become the preferred choice for mobile operators worldwide, and Uni-RAN has been recognized as the industrys leading solution for converged GSM/UMTS/ LTE deployment. With the successful launch of UniRAN, ZTE continues to expand its market share in densely-populated emerging countries, and has made breakthroughs in the most competitive European market. Drawing on quality products and efficient project delivery, ZTE has deployed Uni-RAN for European operators including Telenor Montenegro, KPN Germany and Belgium, Sonaecom Portugal, and Cosmote Romania. The widespread deployment of converged 2G, 3G, and LTE networks in Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Hungary, and Turkey will further enhance ZTEs capabilities in wireless product delivery, and also allow the company to make great inroads into the European high-end market using

Smooth Evolution

MSC

Core network
GGSN

2G/3G

S-GW

Gn SGSN

2G/3G/LTE

its innovative wireless infrastructure equipment.

Milestones

September 2009: Promonte, a subsidiary of Telenor and the largest mobile operator in Montenegro, signed a contract with ZTE to swap its GSM/UMTS network with a converged all-IP GSM/UMTS/LTE network using ZTEs Uni-RAN solution. December 2009: Portuguese operator Optimus signed off on a deal with ZTE to swap its GSM/ UMTS network with a converged GSM/UMTS/LTE network using the Uni-RAN solution. December 2009: E-Plus Group Germany and KPN Group Belgium selected ZTE to supply HSPAenabled 3G equipment for further expansion and technical upgrade of their mobile networks. July 2010: Telenor Hungary signed off on an exclusive deal with ZTE to build, expand, and operate a G S M / U M T S / LT E n e t w o r k i n Hungary using ZTEs Uni-RAN solution.

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Moving Towards Multi-System Interoperability

By Jeremy Lu

Multi-System Coexistence

he story of four generations under one roof has been played out before in the automobile industry. If a car company could develop differentiated strategies, its multi-generation cars would not compete against each other but rather complement each other. The same can be said of the mobile communications industry. Three generations of mobile technologies 2G, 3G, and 4Gwill be implemented on one platform in the near future. In the evolution from GSM to LTE-A, four or more generations of mobile technologies will coexist in the market as a result of market segmentation. 2G networks are still favored by voice and SMS subscribers; Robust 3G networks handle most voice and data services except those with high-speed and high-throughput data traffic; LTE networks support high-speed data services; but at present, are prohibitive

for many prospective subscribers because of high data tariffs. No single network can suit all businesses. Even discounting existing network investments, operators running a single network are at a competitive disadvantage because of their smaller target markets.

Requirements for Interoperability

Interoperability is critical for interconnection among networks. Only through interoperability can

multiple networks fulfill their roles in meeting different user needs. Setting a mapping relation between various radio systems and their radio access networks is necessary: LTE corresponds to E-UTRAN; UMTS and HSPA correspond to UTRAN; GSM and EDGE correspond to GERAN; CDMA corresponds to 1xRTT; and EVDO corresponds to HRPD. How will a newly-built LTE system and existing networks complement each other? LTE supports high-speed data

GERAN: Low-Speed Data Services UTRAN: Medium-Speed Data Services

CBD Rural Area Urban Area E-UTRAN: High-Speed Data Services

Figure 1. Multi-network coverage solution.

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services, high data throughput, and high user capacity, but uses highband frequencies and does not yet support voice services. For a long time, E-UTRAN has provided continuous coverage in a densely populated central business districts (CBDs) where demand for high-speed data services is strong. Because CBDs are fully covered by a few base stations, voice services can be supported by existing GERAN or UTRAN. Similarly, UTRAN is used for urban coverage, while GERAN is used for all-area coverage because it occupies the lowest frequency bands and has the lowest coverage cost. In this way, multiple networks with different strengths can complement each other and work harmoniously.

on existing users. An interoperability strategy for different stages of LTE deployment which is also congruent with the broader development of the LTE industrial chain needs to be developed. Small-scale test or commercial use LTE trials are now underway all over the world. Leading operators are choosing to deploy E-UTRAN in some hotspot areas. At this stage, efforts are being focused on static indoor scenarios, where data cards are the most common commercial LTE terminals and broadband Internet access is the dominant service mode. Since demand for system interoperability is weak, cell reselection and redirection is adopted to meet user mobility needs. Growth in scale With growth in the number of wireless broadband services and Internet users, E-UTRAN will gradually expand its coverage.

Voice services will be supported, although data services will still be the mainstream option. LTE terminals will become more diverse; LTE services will cover up to 40% of the population; and system interoperability for data services will be in great demand. Therefore, mobility for data services using methods such as inner- or inter-eNB handover, and PS-domain handover between E-UTRAN and UTRAN/GERAN should be supported. Large-scale commercial use As the LTE industrial chain matures and user requirements grow, E-UTRAN will be deployed on a large scale, covering all urban areas and most other regions. Voice services will be fully supported; LTE mobile phones will dominate the market; LTE services will cover up to 70% of the population; and there will be great demand for system interoperability for both voice and data services. Therefore, mobility for voice services should be supported.

Interoperability Strategy

When building a new LTE network, new technologies need to be introduced to improve user experience. Service continuity must be taken into account and consideration given to the impact

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Upgrade Strategy of UTRAN/GERAN

System interoperability can be implemented without hardware support, and UTRAN/GERAN equipment can be upgraded to fully support 3GPP R8 or later versions. However, because hardware upgrade increases costs and impacts the stability of existing networks, upgrades must be tailored to suit an operators specific needs. No upgrade In some scenarios, conditions for network upgrade may not be right but eNB equipment supports forward compatibility. As LTE is deployed, cell reselection and redirection as well as voice and data handover is supported from E-UTRAN to UTRAN/GERAN. But from UTRAN/ GERAN to E-UTRAN, only cell reselection is supported. This also takes a long time and affects user experience. Full upgrade When existing network equipment is fully upgraded to support R8 protocols, cell reselection and redirection, as well as data handover can be implemented flexibly in multiple networks. This requires addition of broadcast information, cell redirection (including measurement and configuration), and inter-system handover features to the 2G/3G system. Partial upgrade Upgrading existing networks to support partial R8 protocols is also possible. Cell reselection and redirection can be implemented between E-UTRAN and UTRAN/ GERAN, and voice and data handover can be implemented from E-UTRAN to UTRAN/GERAN. Compared with a full upgrade of UTRAN/GERAN,

GSM

UMTS

LTE Multi-Core Network Server

RRU BBU GE

Figure 2. Sharing infrastructure equipment.

only broadcast information and cell redirection features are added to existing networks. In this way, LTE is given highest priority in areas covered by multiple RANs, and subscriber profiles are given the priority to reside in E-UTRAN. This solution represents a compromise between performance and cost.

Sharing Strategy

Where networks coexist, wireless infrastructure should be shared as much as possible to reduce CAPEX. If equipment size permits, site sharing can save costs of leasing, surveying, and cabling. Because LTE is initially deployed in central business districts where continuous coverage is not required, sites can be shared extensively. Sharing infrastructure equipment is highly desirable, but this puts high requirements on backward compatibility with existing base stations. ZTEs wireless infrastructure equipment is built on a unified MicroTCA hardware platform and a

SDR software platform. As shown in Figure 2, the same BBU can be connected to RRUs that support GSM, UMTS and LTE, which allows equipment resources to be shared across three networks. Network sharing refers in particular t o n e t w o r k s s h a r e d b y d i ff e r e n t operators. This involves an element of risk-taking because operators are usually competitive rivals. However, network resources can be doubled up and seriously wasted if each invests heavily in network construction. Network sharing can therefore be a wise decision. As well as sharing sites, networks with the same wireless standards can also share base stations, transmission facilities, frequency spectrum, and regional roaming policies. In terms of equipment, network sharing does not increase hardware complexity. Interoperability between shared equipment and the service and accounting systems of different operators should be brought about through software changes so that TCO can be reduced.

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The Choice for FutureOriented Radio Networks

By Liu Shuang

Next-Generation SDR:

s the global information industry grows rapidly, the need for intelligent mobile broadband services is soaring. An important strategy for improving profitability and enhancing core competencies is to create a sustainable choice 3G network. This involves fast network deployment and early service rollout in order to gain a favorable position in the 3G market. It also requires networks to be evolved with new future-oriented technologies that guarantee service continuity and protect operator investments. Software Defined Radio (SDR)

base stations allow different radio technologies to operate on one platform through software configuration. This increases compatibility among different technologies and enables smooth network evolution. For a full-service operator, the advantage of SDR base stations is that they allow multiband multimode operation and continuous TCO reduction.

Future-Oriented Platform Strategy

ZTE has developed a series of SDR

base stations on a uniform MicroTCA platform so that equipment can be easily standardized. The MicroTCA architecture provides an excellent platform for building an economical, flexible, and highly reliable 3G network. It supports GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, and LTE, allowing multiband multimode operation. With MicroTCA architecture, SDR base stations are smaller, consume less

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Focus

power, and have more processing power. ZTEs SDR base station RF units are software-programmable and redefinable. They enable intelligent spectrum allocation and support multiple standards. The RF unit adopts broadband multicarrier digital signal processing technique, and a single power amplifier supports multiple carriers. The capacity of an SDR base station can be smoothly expanded through software configuration. Thus, the cost of expansion is reduced and the impact caused by network expansion is reduced. 2G, 3G, and LTE can coexist on a continuous 20MHz band through software configuration so that RF signals of multiple modes can be transmitted and received simultaneously. In this way, convergence and evolution of multiple modes are realized on one band.

scenarios. Macro base station structure Macro base stations can be cascaded to meet large-capacity networking needs. MicroTCA architecture and multicarrier technique can bring about larger capacity from smaller size. A macro base station consists of a primary cabinet to which extended cabinets can be added. In this way, capacity is easily expanded. The primary cabinet and extended cabinets can share a baseband pool, the configuration is flexible, and expansion is smooth. Distributed base station structure Distributed base stations meet the need for fast network construction when equipment room is limited. For a distributed SDR base station, the baseband unit (BBU) and RF unit are separate so that the base station is not confined to the equipment room. The BBU does not require independent room space, and can be installed in a transmission rack, in the surplus space of other equipment, or directly on the wall. This is an effective solution when room space and bearing capacity are

limited. The remote radio unit (RRU) is small and lightweight, and can be mounted on a pole, a wall, a platform, or a tower, free from the restrictions of the equipment room and supporting facilities. Super baseband cluster ZTE proposes an innovative super baseband cluster solution, in which BBUs are installed in a centralized way and RRUs are deployed remotely through fibers to achieve flexible coverage. Many BBUs can be cascaded for dynamic allocation and flexible scheduling of baseband resources. Thus, system resources are fully utilized and the vacancy rate of network assets is reduced. With the advantages of low power consumption, high efficiency, and easy engineering, RRUs can be flexibly deployed. This saves on civil engineering work and capital costs. Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) provides strong interfacing capability, which simplifies local transmission network structure and extends the coverage of RRUs. Multiple BBUs can be installed in an existing equipment roomsuch as the core or backbone equipment room so that new rooms are not required. Supporting and transmission resources in the room can be shared to the fullest extent ensuring existing resources are used efficiently and network construction and maintenance costs are saved. This represents a revolution in the conventional network model. A networking model with a super baseband cluster meets requirements for macrocell coverage in densely populated urban areas as well as less populated urban, suburban, and rural areas. Microcell coverage is supported for urban hotspots and CBD areas; and indoor deep coverage is supported

Flexible Networking for Coverage in Different Scenarios

With a widely applicable architecture, SDR base stations allow operators to choose proper equipment structure and networking mode in order to meet coverage needs in various

GSM

TD-SCDMA

TD-SCDMA RRU GSM RRU

4
WCDMA

CDMA

CDMA RRU

2
WCDMA RRU

LTE LTE RRU

Figure 1. Multiple radio modes supported by SDR base stations.

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for large stadiums, office buildings, conference centers, and expo centers. Spot coverage for high-speed railways, flyovers, bridges, subways, tunnels, and scenic resorts is also supported by this model.

Building Economical Networks Through Technological Innovation

cRRU

Building an economical network with reduced resource occupation and energy consumption is an effective approach to better profitability. The power amplifier in ZTEs SDR base station adopts innovative DPD+Doherty+DPA technology. With power amplification of up to 45%, it is an industry leader in efficiency. The receiving sensitivity of dual antennas can reach up to -129.2dBm, increasing the coverage area of a single base station by 39% and reducing the number of sites by 28%. Energy consumption is cut down substantially. On a conventional site, 73.7% of energy consumption can be attributed to air conditioning. However, by employing the super baseband cluster model, BBUs share air conditioning in the core equipment room, and energy consumption is minimized. Compared with the conventional site model, the super baseband cluster model reduces overall energy consumption by more than 88.5%, and the engineering cycle is 33% shorter per site.

Baseband Route Pool

Figure 2. i-Node architecture.

Smooth Evolution and Sustainable Development

ZTEs SDR base stations allow 2G and 3G equipment to coexist on one site so that 2G and 3G networks can be converged into one network. This simplifies structure and improves network quality. Moreover, the SDR base station supports HSDPA, HSUPA, and migration to HSPA+ (64QAM)

through software upgrade without any alteration to hardware. To support MIMO, only one RF unit is added to each sector. For smooth evolution from HSPA/HSPA+ to LTE, only processing boards for the control and user planes are added to the hardware platform. This protects operators existing investments and reduces LTE construction costs. As radio technology evolves to LTE, the wireless networking model has evolved from single base stations to super baseband cluster, and will further evolve to i-Nodethe next generation radio access network architecture. The strengths of centralized resource allocation and distributed radio deployment are many; and drawing on these strengths, radio networks may increase in high-speed data service capability. i-Node offers distinct advantages in intelligent scheduling of baseband resources, collaborative management, and internetworking. The remote units use intelligent RF technology to reduce interference and

increase spectrum efficiency. i-Node also supports multicell collaborative radio resource management, multicell collaborative radio signal processing, and intelligent scheduling of radio resources. Using standard all-IP architecture, i-Node allows internetworking of communications devices, conforms to the future cloud computing model, and enhances network throughput. ZTEs next-generation SDR base stations with innovative architecture are used to build state-of-the-art networks without the need to change any hardware. This helps operators make effective use of existing network resources and greatly reduce TCO. Network growth strategies can be quickly and flexibly adjusted to meet changing markets, and investment risks can be controlled while maintaining network competitiveness and profitability. Next-generation SDR base stations and the innovative networking model are inevitable trends for future network development.

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Focus

GSM-R:
By Xiao Zhengjie

An Innovative Railway Wireless Communications System

Promising Prospects for GSM-R

uring the 1990s, cable and analog communications systems were widely used in European railways. There were 35 different platforms; in Germany alone, eight analog wireless systems existed. However, railway communications were plagued with problems such as limited functionality, scattered systems, serious interference, poor confidentiality, and high maintenance costs. As high-speed rail developed in line with the global economy, analog systems were unable to meet the requirements of train dispatch and control. Since 1997, the International Union of Railways (UIC) has been constructing GSM-R trial networks in France, Germany, and Italy to solve the problems of analog communications systems. GSM-R is

a secure, efficient digital radio system with robust anti-interference, error control, and easy to use encryption features. It provides a variety of data communication services that support rail dispatch and control, as well as the development of information empowered railways. GSM-R improves railway use and dispatch efficiency. By 2009, more than 30 countries had deployed it in their railway infrastructure. Statistics show that in 2006, railways stretched 1,370,782km across the globe. But by January 2009, only 72,293km was being operated under GSM-Ra mere 6% of total global railway. The UIC predicts that in the future, GSM-R will be used in 149,210km (nearly 60%) of Europes total 221,025km of railway. In recent years, environmental issues have put immense pressure on air and road transportation. High-speed electric

rail does not use oil and satisfies the need for low-carbon economic development. In the coming lowcarbon era, governments are turning to high-speed, efficient, energy-saving railway systems. In 2009, China put 2,319km of highspeed rail into operation. The 1,068km Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed line is the longest of its kind in the world, and has been operated at 350km/h. The US government is also planning to spend eight billion US dollars to construct 17,000 miles of high-speed rail throughout the country. Britain intends to spend 34 billion pounds on a 2,400km Scotland-London high-speed rail to be completed by 2030. France expects its high-speed rail will extend 2,500 miles by 2020. The Union of European Railway Industries (UNIFE) predicts total investment in railwayrelated devices will reach 122 billion Euros by 2010. UNIFE expects global

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investment in high-speed rail will increase to 150 billion Euros by 2016, propelled by infrastructure projects and environmental concerns. Opportunities arising from the development of GSM-Rthe core of railway communications systemsare great.

ZTEs Innovative GSM-R Solution

Railway mobile communications systems operate along rail lines and in train stations. Complex terrain, poor radio environment, and fast train speed are some of the problems associated with railway mobile communication. Transmission continuity and reliability are of key importance because dispatch and control require extremely h i g h i m m e d i a c y a n d r e l i a b i l i t y. Drawing on its experience in R&D, ZTE has developed an innovative GSM-R solution for railway network operators.

High reliability GSM-R is responsible for key commands in rail dispatch and control, and a fault in the GSM-R system could lead to commuter chaos or a serious accident. Therefore, extremely stringent reliability requirements are imposed on every GSM-R network. With an understanding of railway telecommunications requirements, ZTE has developed a highly reliable GSM-R solution that includes: Strict quality control flow to ensure hardware is stable and highly reliable. Premium quality electronic components are selected, screened, and tested throughout the manufacturing process; Comprehensive software management and fault tolerance technologies to guarantee high software reliability; Adoption of redundant backup (including 1+1 backup, N+1

backup, resource pooling, and load sharing) inside the equipment to ensure high reliability; Redundant connections, ring networking, and transmission bypass in the network design to enhance system reliability; MSC/SGSN POOL solution to handle service interruption caused by MSC/SGSN or MSC/ BSC single point failure, and to improve CN reliability; GSM-R dual-layer coverage (dual-site co-address redundancy coverage and deep interweaving redundancy coverage) to provide BTS redundancy and to prevent single point fault in the wireless network.

Weak field coverage Railways often pass through weak field areas such as mountains,

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Focus

Using multi-RRU co-cell sharing technology, ZTEs unique distributed base station solution tackles the problem of coverage in weak field areas.

bridges, and tunnels, and this is one of the most difficult aspects of GSM-R system planning. Traditional weak field coverage solutions employ base stations and repeaters combined with leaky cables or directional antennas. But ZTE also provides an innovative distributed base station (RRU) solution. Compared with conventional i n t e g r a t e d b a s e s t a t i o n s , Z T E s distributed BBU and RRU modules are small, lightweight, and convenient to transport and install. Thus, they are especially suitable for coverage in tunnels, on bridges, and in mountainous regions along the line. Using multi-RRU co-cell sharing technology, ZTEs unique distributed base station solution tackles the problem of coverage in weak field areas and has the following advantages: The RRU module controls uplink noise, avoiding degradation of receiver sensitivity as the cascaded number increases; The RRU module supports ring networking, ensuring reliable transmission; RRUs and BBUs support unified remote management and provide performance statistics, making equipment monitoring and management easier; Each RRU has automatic time delay

correction, so they are not restricted by repeaters that need to be installed within a 15us time delay. The RRU module has higher power output, thereby reducing the number of RF units needed in tunnels and saving costs.

High-speed mobility Especially with trains running at 350 to 500Km/h, issues arise in GSM-R wireless network design and construction. The most critical are: Severe Doppler shift on uplink and downlink signals is caused by high speed. This leads to fast signal fading and degradation of terminals receiving and sending capabilities. It also causes frequent call dropout, poor voice quality, poor call success rate, high bit error, and throughput reduction; High speed shortens the time a terminal remains within a cell, and this increases instances of cell reselection and handover. If the overlapping area between cells is irrational or relatively small, the inter-cell handover success rate is reduced, and the call drop rate increased. With these challenges in mind, ZTE has developed a complete solution

that ensures quality communication in 500Km/h trains. A unique frequency offset correction algorithm counteracts signal fading caused by the Doppler shift, and compensates for receiving performance degradation; Multi-RRU co-cell sharing technology enables multiple RRUs to be configured into one logical cell and to transmit the same signals. This extends coverage of the logical cell and reduces handover attempts by terminals on a high-speed train; An optimized handover algorithm reduces the number of handover decisions, shortens handover time, and enhances handover success rate; A speed- and direction-based handover algorithm reduces the possibility of ping-pong handover, further shortens handover time, and improves handover success rate. As governments sharpen their focus on energy saving, opportunities presented by GSM-R development in a new era of railway construction are great. Leading the world in wireless telecom solutions, ZTE is ready to construct railway systems around the world with its innovative GSM-R solution.

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Third Eye

ZTEs ZXSDR 8000 Family

September 2010, by Daryl Schoolar and Peter Jarich, from market research firm Current Analysis

Current Perspective

TEs LTE base stations portfolio is threatening to the competition. Across its family of products, ZTE can point to strong capacity performance, good scalability, and a multi-standard solution that includes not only GSM and WCDMA, but also CDMA2000. ZTEs current LTE solution set consists of three base stations, the ZXSDR BS8700, BS8800 and BS8906. The BS8700 is a distributed base station consisting of a base band unit (BBU) B8200 and a remote radio unit (RRU) R8882. The BS8800 is a full sized integrated macro base station consisting of BBU B8200 and radio system unit RSU82. ZTE positions these two base stations as its highcapacity solutions. The BS8906, ZTEs lowcapacity LTE base station is a micro compact base station consisting of a BBU B8200 and RSU82. Both the BS8700 and BS8906 can scale with the addition of up to 17 RRUs. ZTEs overall LTE solution has many notable features that help make the vendor a strong player in the LTE space. Both the BS8700 and BS8800 can support an impressive number of LTE carriers18 and 12 at 20MHz, respectively. While the practicality of that capacity can be debated, it does provide operators with investment future-proofing if such capacity is needed. The BS8800 delivers 12 LTE carriers in a 0.27-square meter footprint, with a nearly best-in-class of 44.4 carriers per square meter footprint. Thanks to CDMA2000 support, ZTE can deliver multistandard solutions to operators coming from

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Third Eye

both 3GPP and 3GPP2 technology families. In the highly competitive wireless infrastructure space, maintaining ones market position is a constant challenge. For ZTE to maintain its position, the vendor needs to deliver on its promise of 2010 commercial availability for the BS8800 and BS8906. Wins at the likes of operators such as Telstra CSL and Telenor, while lacking the same high profile as competitors wins at A&T and Verizon Wireless, will give the vendor plenty of opportunities to prove its infrastructure performance claims in actual commercial settings. This deployment experiences will give ZTE the credibility it needs as more, and larger, operator opportunities become available.

Buying/Selecting Criteria
Buying Criteria Ratings 5 4 3 2 1
Capacity

to support it. Carrier capacity translates directly into the number of users a base can support, and the data available to those users. Low-capacity base station (LTE carriers): ZTEs ZXSDR BS8906 delivers one carrier at 20MHz. This is the smallest capacity reported by vendors with a low-capacity solution. Extra carriers can be added through lower sized spectrum channels. While extra radio units can be added for increased capacity, the vendor says that would negate it from being a low-capacity base station. Low-capacity solutions provide operators with a costeffective option to extend capacity into hard-to-reach areas: inside buildings, along highways, valleys, etc. Likewise, in emerging markets, low-capacity solutions are important

to strong capacity support, helps operators control their CAPEX. WCDMA carriers: ZTEs BS8800 delivers 24 carriers of WCDMA and the BS8900 delivers 30 carriers (thanks to the use of a secondary cabinet). The low-capacity ZXSDR BS8906 supports 24 WCDMA carriers. With all three base stations, ZTE has the ability to deliver the capacity levels needed to remain competitive. Capacity scalability: ZTEs three LTE base stations, ZXSDR BS8700, BS8800, and BS8906, have the ability to scale their capacity. Both the BS8700 and BS8906 can support the addition of 17 RRUs for increased capacity, giving each the ability to grow from one carrier up to 18 carriers. The BS8800 has a secondary cabinet that allows the doubling of carrier capacity, reaching 12 carriers at 20MHz.

5=Outstanding 4=Strong 3=Competitive 2=Concerns 1=Noncompetitive

Coverage Deployment Flex Technology Evolution

ZTE-ZXSDR 8000 Family

Product Class Average

All materials Copyright @ 1997-2010 Current Anarysis, Inc. Reproduction or distribution Prohibited without express written consent. Generated: 9/13/2010

Base station capacity High-capacity base station (LTE carriers): ZTEs ZXSDR BS8700 and BS8800 support up to 18 and 12 carriers at 20MHz, respectively (higher number of carriers available with smaller spectrum channels). The BS8700 uses 18 RRUs to reach its maximum capacity, a configuration the vendor says it does not recommend, as most operators do not have the spectrum

for cost-effective coverage of rural areas. G S M T R X : Z T E s t w o h i g h capacity base stations deliver capacity of 60 GSM TRX, a figure only bested by Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei. ZTE claims its low-capacity base station can support a market-leading figure of 60TRX as well. The ability to support a large number of users with a single base station, thanks

Base station coverage Output power: ZTE reports 240W output power for all three of its LTE base stations. This power level can be scaled back if necessary. However, scaling back is not the same as offering multiple options. In scaling, the operator pays for the top-end power, even though it is using something less. Power output represents a base stations ability to push RF signals out to users. High output power enhances coverage by extending cell reach or penetrating deeper into structures. Radio receive sensitivity: ZTE reports its LTE base station family has radio receive sensitivity in a range of -108.8dBm to -103.5dBm, based on channel size. Though RF power output is important for getting RF signals out to users,

0

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strong receive sensitivity allows a BTS to hear signals from lowpower devices (e.g., handsets). Spectrum support: ZTEs ZXSDR BS8700, BS880, and BS8960 all support the major spectrum bands. The more spectrum bands available with a base station, the more deployment scenarios it can support. MIMO support: Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna support is a critical feature of LTE, allowing for better coverage and/or better capacity. ZTEs high-capacity solutions support both 22 and 4 4 MIMO. Its low-capacity base station, BS8906, supports both 2 2 and 24 MIMO. MIMO support beyond 44 is not needed. Both of ZTEs base stations support singleinput single-output (SISO).

Site deployment flexibility Space efficiency (high capacity): ZTEs BS8800 delivers 12 LTE carriers in a 0.27-square meter footprint, with a nearly best-inclass efficiency of 44.4 carriers in a square meter footprint. Capacity density represents the number of carriers supported by a base station in a given amount of floor space. Since base station real estate is at a premium, LTE base stations that can support a high number of sectorcarriers in a small space provide OPEX savings. Space efficiency (low capacity): On the low end, vendors report space efficiency metrics that are not easily compared, given zero-footprint architectures and in-building deployment purposes. Regardless, the ZXSDR BS8906 delivers 6.6 carriers in a square meter. This performance can be increased with

the addition of extra RRUs. In a low-capacity solution, footprint is not as important, because solutions are often wall or ceiling-mounted. However, it is still critical that these products provide the necessary capacity without harm to interior design aesthetics. Outdoor adjuncts: All three of ZTEs LTE base stations (BS8700/ BS8800/BS8906) can be deployed either indoors or outdoors. While most deployments favor indoor base station placement, the availability of an outdoor adjunct allows the vendor to address a greater range of deployment scenarios. The availability of outdoor adjuncts is fairly common across infrastructure vendors. M a s s ( h i g h c a p a c i t y ) : Z T E s BS8700 comes with a weight of 22.5 kg, a very light figure reflective of its distributed architecture. The BS8800, however, is not so light, with 12 LTE carrier support weighing in at 250 kg, making it the heaviest base station for this class. Even the one-cabinet configuration remains one of the heaviest solutions on the market at 135 kg. Lower-mass base stations benefit from greater ease of installation. Remote radio support: ZTE, like all of its major competitors, offers remote radio support. Both ZXSDR BS8700 and BS8906 come with remote radio support. Power output for both is 240W. Distributed base station solutions allows for network coverage/capacity in areas that cannot support a full base station deployment. It is good for hard-toreach areas. Transport options: ZTE claims all three of its LTE base stations support Fast Ethernet/Gigabit

Ethernet and 16 T1s for circuit transport and ATM, ATM IMA, and Ethernet for packet transport. Notably, ZTE is the only vendor not to report STM-1/OC3 support for circuit transport. A wide range of transmission and backhaul options enables mobile operators to leverage multiple transport network architectures and assets, ensuring the backhaul will support new data services, aggregate traffic onto higher-capacity links for cost savings, etc. Technology evolution GSM/WCDMA support (highcapacity base station): ZTEs t w o h i g h - c a p a c i t y LT E b a s e stations support both GSM and WCDMA. Multi-standard base station solutions are becoming an increasingly important vendor tool. Operators, with an eye to the future, want 2G and 3G solutions that can also support LTE. Infrastructure vendors are also eyeing their multistandard solutions as a way of selling a network refresh at the time of LTE deployment. GSM/WCDMA support (lowcapacity base station): ZTEs lowcapacity LTE base station, ZXSDR BS8906, supports both GSM and WCDMA communications. This allows ZTE to take advantage of benefits coming from multistandard support across its entire LTE base station portfolio. CDMA2000 support: While not as common as GSM/WCDMA, some infrastructure vendors have multistandard solutions that support CDMA2000 alongside LTE. The benefits of this multi-standard support are the same as with GSM and WCDMA.

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Third Eye

ZTE Ready to Boost Next-Generation Access Market Share in Europe

October 27, 2010 by Mary Lennighan Source: Total Telecom Martin, director of marketing for western Europe at ZTE. It is the best way to manage different technologies. ZTE has already signed up Italian altnet Tiscali, whose FTTH network will be deployed on the island of Sardinia, and will be based on UniFA N , d e S aint- M artin s aid . Th e company will also provide the UniFAN platform to Teo in Lithuania. According to statistics published by IDATE and the FTTH Council Europe on Tuesday, Lithuania is the most advanced country in Europe in terms of fibre deployments, with household penetration having risen above 20%. Operators are facing some challenges, noted de Saint-Martin. The demand for bandwidth from social networking, online TV and video is growing, but revenues are flat. Legacy n e t w o r k s a r e n o t c o s t - e ff e c t i v e enough, he said. Operators need to reduce their total cost of ownership, as well as increasing revenues. Uni-FAN will help operators to simplify their networks and network management, reduce churn, and maximize their return on investment, de Saint-Martin said. Uni-FAN can also be used as a mobile backhaul solution, he added.

h i n a s Z T E i s o p t i m i s t i c about its chances of growing its European market share in broadband infrastructure when telcos start to roll out next-generation networks. The vendors low European market share is an opportunity, insisted Jane Chen, senior vice president at ZTE on Wednesday. European operators are very serious about next-generation access products and we are ready to serve that market, said Chen, speaking to journalists at Broadband World Forum. We will increase our market share

very quickly, she said. ZTE was a latecomer into Europe. As the newcomer you need new products... to break through, Chen said. Wi t h t h a t i n m i n d , Z T E o n Wednesday unveiled its Unified Intelligent Fixed Access Network (UniFAN) broadband acceleration solution, a technology-neutral platform designed to help telcos roll out high-speed networks. Uni-FAN supports DSL and PON networks, and is next-generation PONready. Uni-FAN is there to help operators to improve their business models, said Christophe de Saint-



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Solution

Low-Cost Power Solution

for Co-Siting Base Stations

By Jiang Songwu and Li Jiangfeng

he Indian telecom market has prospered in recent years and operators, eager to capture a share, have been rapidly building networks. However, infrastructure in India is backward, and construction of equipment rooms, iron towers, diesel generators, and power systems has stymied network deployment. To overcome this, operators have set up companies specializing in infrastructure construction and maintenance. Among them are Indus Towers (a joint venture of Vodafone, Barti, and Idea), QUIPPO (with investment from TaTa), and American Towers (100% U.S. owned). These companies construct network related infrastructure and then rent it out to operators. Such a business

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Solution

model helps accelerate network deployment and lower CAPEX. But some things require consideration in power system design: Power must be supplied to equipment of multiple operators. A conventional base station power system only supplies power to a single operator, so its output capacity is limited. Indus Towers supplies power to four operators, so the power system must take into account radio and transmission equipment of each operator, and more than 16 outputs must be provided for power distribution; An infrastructure company that rents a power system must individually meter and charge each operator according to electricity consumption; OPEX of an infrastructure company is mostly due to electrical consumption of on-site power systems. Therefore, a highly efficient power system is required to cut the companys OPEX. After surveying the market for nearly half a year and consulting its customers, ZTE launched the ZXDU68 T451 low-cost power solution for co-siting base stations. Characteristics of Indian infrastructure companies and markets were taken into account to deliver the highest benefits to customers. Full satisfaction of site requirements ZXDU68 T451 has a capacity of 24kW in its full configuration, more than twice that of a conventional base station power system. It can supply power simultaneously to base stations of four operators. ZXDU68 T451 supports up to 18 outputs, 16 of which can be divided

into four groups to distribute power to base stations of different operators. Each group includes three outputs for low voltage disconnection 1 (LVD1) and one output for LVD2. Two 250A battery fuses are configured for connection of large-capacity batteries. To protect equipment connected to the power system, class D surge protection devices are installed on the DC output side of ZXDU68 T451. These are designed to discharge lightning that may be attracted to the aviation lights on the tower. ZXDU68 T451 provides up to eight potential free contactor outputs for real-time reporting of power state to other equipment. Best assured customer benefits High efficiency: Efficiency is key in reducing OPEX. ZXDU68 T451 adopts a high-efficiency power converter module that increases power efficiency up to 95%. To further reduce power loss, ZXDU68 T451 has dynamic power management. When the load is light, surplus modules are dormant for high efficiency; Easy charging: To aid in charging d i ff er e n t o p e r a t o r s , Z X D U 6 8 T451 allows DC-based charging. Its embedded energy meter can display electricity use of four operators. The meter readings can be reset to 0 but no modification by external interface is allowed. Thus, a reliable charging reference is provided. The energy meter also supports RS232 communications. With a suitable network connection, the infrastructure company can read the meter remotely; Compact installation: Because one site must accommodate equipment

of four operators, room space is very limited. To save space, ZXDU68 T451 is only 600mm high. It has a specially designed bracket so the power system can be mounted directly over the battery shelf; Low cost: Reducing infrastructure CAPEX is an ongoing concern. ZXDU68 T451 is designed with universal modules, uniquely packaged together. Good balance is achieved between functionality and cost, and all customer requirements are met. With accurate market positioning, excellent performance, and reliable quality, ZXDU68 T451 power solution for co-siting base stations has been enthusiastically received. ZXDU68 T451 was chosen by Indus Towers for its group purchase in October 2009. After assessing sites with ZXDU68 T451, Indus Towers concluded their TCO would be reduced by more than 30%. In addition to 1000 power units shipped in December 2009, Indus Towers will order more to be shipped in 2010. In March 2010, Vodafone Essar in India chose ZXDU68 T451 for its group purchase after comprehensively analyzing technical indexes, cost, and maintainability. The power sharing business model in India allows for reduced CAPEX and OPEX, and fast deployment. It is especially suitable for construction of telecommunications networks in emerging markets. As 3G networks are rolled out in countries such as India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, this business model will become widely accepted. ZTEs ZXDU68 T451 is well positioned to capitalize on the trend towards power sharing for cositing base stations.

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GPON
By Gui Bin and Chen Yi

Mobile Backhaul Solution

Driving Force

obile operators must increase the capacity of their backhaul networks to accommodate the high bandwidth requirements of todays wireless services. Although GPON is a fixedline broadband fiber technology, its low cost and high bandwidth are advantageous for mobile backhaul connections. ZTE offers a GPON mobile backhaul solution for 2G, 3G and 4G wireless networks.

protection should be considered when building mobile backhaul networks. Clock synchronization For high-precision clock synchronization in base stations, ZTEs GPON OLT can obtain clock in various ways: from built-in Stratum 3 clock, from a BITS clock synchronization network, from a SDH/MSTP network via E1/STM-1 lines, from a synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) via GE interfaces, from IEEE 1588v2 master, or from a GPS receiver. In a GSM network, system clock should be obtained from SDH/MSTP and should be the main clock for transmission to BTS via the E1 interface. BITS clock should be a

backup clock input to OLT. For 3G and 4G networks, the system clock should be obtained from IEEE 1588v2 grandmaster and set as the main clock for transmission to Node B (or eNode B) via E1 interface (without the 1588 v2 slave) or FE interface (with the 1588v2 slave). BITS clock should be a backup clock input to OLT. Legacy service transmission An aggregate gateway located between BSC/RNC/xGW and MPLS/ IP networks can be used to convert IP packages into E1 or STM-1. Legacy services are transmitted from CBU to the aggregation gateway using Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge (PWE3) encapsulation. Advantages of

GPON Mobile Backhaul Solution

ZTEs GPON mobile backhaul uses an advanced GPON Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and Cellular Backhaul Units (CBUs), which together can bear voice and data traffic between BTS (Node B or eNode B) and BSC (or RNC). OLT is a multiplexer that aggregates all traffic from CBUs, while CBUs are used as Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) with multiple interfaces connected to different BTSs (NodeBs or eNode Bs). A CBU supports E1, FE, or GE interfaces, and OLT provides STM-1/4, E1, or GE/10GE in the uplink for connection to SDH/MSTP and IP/MPLS bearer n e t w o r k s . Z T E s G P O N m o b i l e backhaul can be combined with bearer networks, as shown in Figure 1. Issues of clock synchronization, legacy service transmission, and service

E1 GPON CBU GSM BTS 1588 Slave Clock E1 FE GPON CBU WCDMA/CDMA BTS 1588 Slave Clock FE/GE GPON CBU LTE eNode B 1588 Boundary Clock Type B/C with Dual Homing BITS (optional) N E1/STM-1 APS Protection

SDH/MSTP

E1/STM-1

ZTE GPON OLT

IEEE 1588v2 Grandmaster

LACP Protection N GE/10GE

E1/STM-1

MPLS/IP
Aggregate GW

BSC/RNC/ xGW
GE/10GE

PWE3 Over IP

Figure 1. ZTEs GPON mobile backhaul solution.

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PWE3 include: It is supported on both OLT and CBU, providing high reliability. There are two or three E1 connections processed by CBU, which does not impact CBU processing capacity. O LT s u p p o r t s t r a n s p a r e n t transmission of PWE3 packets, so no service slot is occupied. Both Circuit Emulation Services (CES) and PWE3 are mature technologies supported by the industry standards. End-to-end connectivity through a flat IP core network makes network management easier. Service protection Mobile backhaul requires carrierclass reliability. GPON connections for the downlink are protected using type B or type C protection. For the uplink, OLT supports Link Aggregation Group (LAG) and STM-1 protection. U s i n g a 2 : N s p l i t t e r, Z X A 1 0 OLT supports duplex GPON type B protection switching defined by G.984.1. This is automatic and force protection switching. In type B protection, two OLT ports are configured, the number of optical fibers between OLTs and optical splitter is doubled, and the splitter has two input/output ports on the OLT side. The switching time is less than 50ms. In type C protection, configurations are doubled on both the OLT and ONU sides. Therefore, recovery at any point is possible by switching to standby facilities. The switching time is less than 50ms. Link aggregation involves combining several IP physical links or connections of OLT (in the uplink) into a single logical link. Data is transmitted over the logical connection with load

GPS Clock E1 GPON CBU CDMA BTS Type B Protection E1 GPON CBU GSM BTS GE E1+FE/GE GPON CBU WCDMA Node B/BTS 2GE (optical) GPON CBU WCDMA Node B(1588V2) Aggregate GW E1/STM-1 E1/STM-1 E1/STM-1

SDH/MSTP

E1/STM-1

CDMA BSC

GPON OLT
2 GE

IP/MPLS

GSM BSC

GE

WCDMA RNC

PWE3 E1 Over IP

Figure 2. Indonesia Telkoms mobile backhaul network.

balance (in master/slave mode). In the event of physical connection failure, the other connection serves as a logical connection and data can be transmitted without interruption. The service switching time is also less than 50ms. ZTEs OLT provides STM-1 for uplinking to the SDH/MSTP network. 1+1 protection is implemented in the STM-1 uplink ports. If a master port or link fails, a slave port or link takes over. The switching time is less than 50ms.

Success with Telkom Indonesia

To increase their ARPU, Telkom Indonesia has been rolling out broadband services since 2004. In 2009, plans were made to expand its broadband offerings to triple-play areas and mobile backhaul. ZTE won phases II, III, IV, and V of the project, capturing nearly 100% of the market. FTTH, FTTB, and mobile backhaul were supplied to Indonesia Telkom, and over 400 BTSs were deployed in the backhaul network. This allowed

Indonesia Telkom to deliver backhaul services to mobile operator Telkomsel. ZTEs GPON mobile backhaul was chosen to replace the old microwave backhaul and GPON CBU F820 used to provide E1/FE interfaces for GSM/ CDMA BTSs. The BTSs obtain clock frequency directly from CBU F820 or a GPS receiver. Moreover, GPON CBU F829 is used for bearing 3G services. E1/FE/GE interfaces are used for GSM/WCDMA/CDMA BTSs and clock synchronization is supported via E1 lines, synchronous Ethernet, or 1588v2, thus guaranteeing high precision synchronization throughout the network.

Conclusion

ZTE offers a wide range of mobile backhaul options. Its cost-effective GPON mobile backhaul solution employs advanced GPON OLT and custom-made CBUs with multiple types of interfaces. ZTEs mobile backhaul solution addresses the needs of 2G, 3G and LTE deployment.

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News Brief

CDMA Development Group Recognizes ZTE and China Telecom with 2010 Smart Wireless Award
Shanghai World Expo. The Smart Wireless Workshop brought together feature CDMA operators, MVNOs, application/ middleware, device and module vendors exploring the business case and implementation tools necessary for companies to succeed in delivering smart wireless services across a number of vertical markets including: telemedicine, smart grid/energy, telematics and consumer electronics. This is the inaugural year of the Smart Wireless Awards, organized by CDG with expert reviewers coming from CDG senior members, trade associations, and business media. The awards honor organizations with innovative contributions in service innovation and solution applications utilizing CDMA2000 networks.

ZTE Debuts LTEAdvanced System at the P&T/Expo Comm China

6 October 2010, Shenzhen ZTE today announced that it has received the 2010 Smart Wireless Award for Services from the CDMA Development Group (CDG) at the industry associations Smart Wireless Workshop. A prestigious award in M2M service innovation, ZTE and China Telecom Shanghai Branch contributed to the CDMA industry application and the M2M application as part of the

ZTE Launches a 7" Touch Screen 3G Android Tablet PC

Bringing enriched entertainment and business features in a lightweight and portable design
12 October 2010, Beijing ZTE launched its latest touch screen tablet PC, ZTE Light, today in Beijing. The device is displayed at the P&T/Expo Comm China, bringing various distinct features in a slim and light weight tablet PC. ZTE Light brings another dimension to internet access with its vast range of entertainment and business applications. It is altogether a more portable, easyto-use and internet friendly tablet PC, adding a brand new experience to entertainment and internet access. As the ever-growing demand for mobile internet continues, ZTE Light helps to make the internet more portable with its faster browsing experience and 7 inch TFT touch screen. Weighing only 403g ZTE Light is perfect to take with you anywhere and with the utmost of ease. ZTE Light also supports voice calling on dual band UMTS 2100 MHz/900 MHz and internet access on HSUPA network with a download speed of up to 7.2Mbps and an upload speed of up to5.76Mbps.

11 October 2010, Shenzhen ZTE today demonstrated its highspeed LTE-advanced system when it debuted at the P&T/Expo Comm China in Beijing. With a downlink peak rate of more than 1Gbps, visitors to the expo were able to appreciate the high-speed performance delivered by 4G technology for the first time. The expo is the largest event for the IT and telecom market held in Asia. LTE-advanced is known as 4G technology and it introduces carrier aggregation, enhanced antenna, relay, Coordinated Multipoint Tx/Rx (CoMP) and other key technologies. ZTE holds the leading positions in all these fields. It is estimated that in 2012, LTEadvanced based ZTE base stations will be available around the world to meet growing communication needs.

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ZTE Launches the First WiMAX/ TD-LTE Dual-mode RRU in the World
18 October 2010, Chicago ZTE today launched the ZXMBW R9110, the worlds first WiMAX/TDLTE dual-mode Remote Radio Unit (RRU) at 4G World 2010. As the industry leader in LTE TDD technology, ZTE was the first vendor to offer a smooth evolution from TD-SCDMA to TD-LTE with the ZXTR R8928 TD-SCDMA/LTE dual-mode RRU announced earlier this year. As anticipation for widespread commercial adoption of LTE in the North American market grows, the R9110 will respond to the evolving market needs as the latest addition to ZTEs full range of WiMAX/TDLTE dual-mode base station offerings. Supporting 2.3G/2.5GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum band, the R9110 has a unique 4T8R design and advanced antenna technologies such as multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and beamforming (BF), providing operators with a successful transition strategy that can suit the market where various systems currently co-exist.

ZTE Ranks Top in KPI Tests by China Unicom

26 October 2010, Shenzhen ZTE announced that it has emerged top in a series of KPI tests organized by China Unicom, operator of the worlds largest UMTS network. The tests measured the performance of 56 cities networks in China. The results were revealed at a two-day Mobile Network Optimization work conference hosted by China Unicom in Dalian on October 21st and 22nd 2010, which revealed that Chinese vendors remained on top of KPI rankings. While the network performance of each participant had improved greatly, ZTE maintained its top position in the list of global vendors. This status closely follows ZTEs No.1 ranking in the 77-city third-party KPI test in September and in the March tests in 55 cities. The network deployment by ZTE in Qinghuangdao city was singled out for having the highest compound score amongst all cities, whilst SanYa (by Ericsson) and Baoding (by ALU) were also noted to have impressive performance. Shenzhen, one of Chinas five main cities, also had an extremely high compound score.

ZTE Unveils Worlds First Systemlevel VDSL2 Vectoring Prototype

Bandwidth breakthrough with the use of copper lines in data networks
21 October 2010, Shenzhen ZTE today announced the launch of the worlds first system-level VDSL2 vectoring prototypeZXDSL 9836. By leveraging system-level vectoring technology, the transmission and reception signals on every copper can be collectively processed in the central vectoring engine of the ZXDSL 9836, thus eliminating crosstalks between copper pairs of the whole system, and improving the VDSL performance at the system level. The ZXDSL 9836 automatically analyzes interference between line pairs and eliminates major interference, achieving 100M data downstream speeds through copper lines. It is a significant breakthrough that paves the way for commercial use of copper lines in large-scale network deployments.

ZTE FTTx Product Grabs Second BBWF InfoVision Award

27 October 2010, Shenzhen ZTEs next-generation xPON optical access platform has won the InfoVision Green Broadband Award at Broadband World Forum Europe (BBWF Europe) 2010 held in Paris, France. This is the second time a ZTE FTTx product has won an Infovision award at this prestigious telecommunications industry event, following a win in 2007. ZTE won the Green Broadband Award for its ZXA10 C300 next-generation optical access platform. In 2007, ZTEs GPON+VDSL2 solution grabbed an InfoVision award, and in 2008, its ZXDSL 9806H product won the Best Green Innovation award at SOFNET in London. The latest award is the third time ZTE has scooped a major prize recognizing excellence in the broadband marketplace, and the second award win at BBWF.



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