Omnitron Systems is an industry-leading provider of fiber optic, Ethernet, and PoE network equipment deployed in telecommunications, enterprise and government networks worldwide.
Carrier Ethernet has truly become the global service. Delivering services across multiple regions and operators and interconnecting to out-of-franchise Enterprise customer locations and cell towers is a business necessity that requires wholesale arrangements between service providers.
A Heavy Reading five-year market forecast projects wholesale Ethernet revenues to grow by over 30% a year, and concludes that “Wholesale Ethernet is finally emerging as a major, thriving U.S. market.” This market growth is driven by demand for business services and mobile backhaul that connect customers regionally, nationally and globally across multiple operator networks.
The Wholesale Interconnect Challenge
The challenge with wholesale services is the complex and time-consuming process of interconnecting the wide variety of Carrier Ethernet services. Aligning the different SLAs and the Class of Service (CoS) between Service Providers at the Ethernet Network to Network Interconnect (ENNI) can take weeks and even months of negotiation to create a single end-to-end service.
Carrier Ethernet 2.0 has addressed this challenge with the MEF 33 E-Access standard that simplifies the wholesale service interconnection.E-Access has simplified wholesale Ethernet to be as easy as deploying T1 services by reducing deployment costs and shortening time to revenue. E-Access provides several benefits to retail and wholesale service providers. Wholesale Ethernet access providers can generate revenue selling existing network footprint as Carrier Ethernet wholesale E-Access service. Retail Ethernet service providers can reduce the time and cost associated with reaching remote end-user locations, and minimize the number of custom interconnect agreements with Access Providers.
The Off-Net Demarcation Challenge
Intelligent Ethernet demarcation is required for traffic management, performance monitoring and fault management. The challenge is how to deploy and maintain Network Interface Devices out-of-franchise where the Service Provider has no facilities to install and maintain the out-of-franchise NID.
Providing demarcation for wholesale Ethernet services has resulted in multiple NIDs at the off-net demarcation point. The retail Service Provider needs to deploy a NID for the end-to-end customer SLA, and the Access Provider needs to deploy a NID for the wholesale service SLA. Two NIDs, and sometimes three or four NIDs, are deployed at the remote customer premises. This multi-NID scenario creates several challenges: there are now more points of failure on the service, multiple NIDs can increase delay, and which NID is actually providing the UNI?
The iConverter SFP-NID® solves this challenge by providing SLA assurance for the retail service provider in a compact SFP that can be installed in the wholesale access provider’s NID. This enables the Service Provider to monitor end-to-end service and without having to deploy and power another standalone NID device at the out-of-franchise customer location.
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iConverter tiered NIDs allow us to align features and costs with our different types of wholesale services.
iConverter NIDs provide MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 Certified demarcation and support MEF 33 E-Access for wholesale business services and cloud services. These state-of-the-art NIDs enable business services across multiple service provider networks with advanced service assurance, and reduce operating costs with automated service provisioning and testing.
In this application diagram, a Service Provider is delivering a Carrier Ethernet 2.0 E-Line (point-to-point) service to an out-of-franchise (off-net) subscriber and contracts an MEF 33 E-Access service with a regional operator.
The Service Provider deploys iConverter 10G and Gigabit Network Interface Devices (NIDs) for demarcation and aggregation of the business services, and to provide crucial traffic management and performance assurance functions throughout the life cycle of the Carrier Ethernet service.
The Service Provider metro network consists of a 10G resilient ring with ITU-T G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS). An iConverter XM5 Demarcation and Aggregation NID is deployed at a hub location for connectivity to the 10G G.8032 ring and to provide Gigabit fiber access links. An iConverter GM4 NID provides Carrier Ethernet 2.0 demarcation at the subscriber premises User to Network Interface (UNI).
An iConverter XM5 NID is deployed at a hub location on the 10G ring to provide the Ethernet Network-to-Network Interface (ENNI) between the Service Provider network and the Access Provider network. The Access Provider provides an E-Access Service as part of the MEF 33 E-Access service that connects the ENNI to the UNI at the out-of-franchise customer location. The Access Provider has also deployed an iConverter GM4 NID for demarcation and UNI at the out-of-franchise customer location. The Access Provider installed an iConverter SFP-NID supplied by the Service Provider in the GM4 NID.
The Access Provider can monitor the service from the ENNI to UNI by accessing the iConverter GM4 NID.
The Service Provider can monitor the end-to-end service across the Service Provider metro network, and to the out-of-franchise UNI with the SFP-NID.
The iConverter NIDs on the metro network and customer premises locations provide traffic management for the subscriber traffic across the network. The advanced Traffic Management features enable the Service Provider to offer MEF-certified Carrier Ethernet 2.0 services with Multiple Classes of Service (Multi-CoS), granular rate-limiting, and 802.1ad Provider Bridge VLAN stacking (Q-in-Q) for service multiplexing. GM4 NIDs filter the subscriber traffic, assign the traffic to different Classes of Services, enforce rate-limiting for each CoS, and forward the allowed traffic to the other subscriber locations. Support for per-flow service mapping, traffic policing and shaping transports nearly any type of subscriber traffic as an EVC or CoS flow. In a multi-point E-LAN service, the NIDs also manage traffic delivered to each customer location, monitoring and enforcing the total delivered utilization rate (for billing purposes).
Service activation and testing tools include Zero-Touch Provisioning, and Y.1564 and 2544 test heads, which allow the NIDs to perform tests with synthetic subscriber traffic, and eliminates the need for service personnel and test equipment at the customer premises. Service testing ensures proper service provisioning, validates the Service Level Agreement (SLA) parameters, and helps troubleshoot any service issues. These features shorten time to market and reduce operating costs by simplifying service provisioning and testing.
During operation, the iConverter NIDs constantly communicate with each other, ensuring the service paths between the subscriber locations are uninterrupted. Advanced fault management features include support for IEEE 802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) for proactive fault monitoring and isolation, and ITU-T G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) for resilient rings with sub-50ms failover.
iConverter NIDs provide comprehensive support of the ITU-T Y.1731 Performance Monitoring standard, ensuring the delay, delay variation, loss and availability of the service are meeting the SLA. Support for third-party SLA Portals enable customers access to performance monitoring metrics through the Service Provider’s existing OSS/BSS.
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The ever-growing bandwidth demand from smart phones and tablets presents a major challenge for mobile operators with already congested 3G and 4G cellular networks. Carrier Wi-Fi hotspots are a cost-effective method for offloading data and video traffic from 3G and 4G networks, as well as to offer subscribers value added services like Carrier Wi-Fi (Voice over Wi-Fi).
Wi-Fi with Ethernet backhaul for data offload can be deployed anywhere people congregate. This includes stadiums, airports, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, schools, and office buildings. Wi-Fi with Carrier Ethernet backhaul adds performance monitoring that enables subscribers to make voice calls over a Wi-Fi network.
Challenges Deploying Carrier Wi-Fi Hot Spots
One of the challenges with any access network is the 100 meter distance limitation of Ethernet over UTP cabling. Fiber access networks overcome this distance challenge, but Wireless Access Points typically do not have fiber ports. In addition many Wireless Access Points are powered using Power over Ethernet (PoE), which provides flexibility in placing and installing devices, but this requires UTP copper cabling.
Switches that function as Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) are often deployed to power Wireless Access Points. These switches will have a fiber uplink port and multiple RJ-45 PoE ports. The problem is that they are bulky, expensive, and consume a lot of power. This makes them difficult to deploy outdoors in a NEMA enclosure.
Another challenge is leveraging inexpensive Wi-Fi deployments, while allowing a cost-effective upgrade path to Carrier Wi-Fi.
Products
Wi-Fi Offloading and Carrier Wi-Fi Products
OmniConverter® PoE Media Converters and PoE Fiber Switches
Deploy Wi-Fi Hotspots for internet access and data offloading OmniConverter PoE Media Converters and managed PoE Fiber Switches enable Ethernet distance extension over fiber optic cabling to PoE powered Wi-Fi access points. Classified as Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE), OmniConverter media converters support PoE (15W), PoE+ (30W) and HPoE (60W).
iConverter® SFP-NID™
Deploy Wi-Fi Hotspots for Carrier Wi-Fi The iConverter SFP-NID is a Small Form Pluggable (SFP) Gigabit optical Network Interface Device (NID) that enables the delivery of low-latency, Carrier Ethernet small cell and Carrier Wi-Fi (Voice over Wi-Fi) services with service assurance. The SFP-NID eliminates the need for a standalone Carrier Ethernet demarcation device, and can be installed directly into an OmniConverter PoE media converter or PoE switch, or a small cell
Sports Arena Wi-Fi Application
Sports Arena Wi-Fi Offloading
In this application example, Wi-Fi is deployed in a sports arena for offloading 3G and 4G data, as well as to offer value added Voice over Wi-Fi services to subscribers. Within a larger arena, thousands of people can be using smart phones and tablets to interact with social media, watch videos and surf the internet.
Dozens of Wireless Access Points are required for larger arenas, and the distance from the service provider point of presence, head end or data closet exceeds the distance limitations of copper cable. Fiber is required to provide connectivity to the Wireless Access Points, which typically do not have fiber ports, and can require Power over Ethernet (PoE).
In the data closet, the Mobile Network Operator hands off services to a copper switch. Fiber is distributed from the copper switch using media converters. iConverter, miConverter or FlexPoint media converters can be installed in high-density rack-mount chassis to provide reliable and cost-effective fiber distribution from existing copper network equipment.
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We upgraded our Wi-Fi services to add voice calling by installing SFP NIDs into existing equipment.
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Director of Network Operations, Rural Telecom Operator
Running clockwise from the data closet, a fiber link begins a daisy-chain around the arena to preserve fiber runs. OmniConverter PoE injector media converters with dual fiber ports are deployed along the daisy chain. The PoE media converters are installed near AC or DC power sources, where they convert the fiber to copper and inject PoE, PoE+ or HPoE (60W) over the UTP cables that are connected to Access Points installed up to 100 meters from the converters. Each OmniConverter can power one or two Access Points. The daisy-chain can continue around the facility, with many more Access Points on the chain. OmniConverter Media Converters support multiple-port configurations for a variety of flexible network architecture options.
Running counter-clockwise from the data closet, a point-to-point fiber link runs to an OmniConverter PoE Fiber Switch that can provide data and PoE power to eight Wireless Access Points.
OmniConverter PoE Media Converters and PoE Fiber Switches provide a reliable and cost effective method to provide fiber connectivity and PoE/PoE+ power to Wireless Access Points distributed throughout arenas and amphitheaters. They are temperature hardened and can be installed in NEMA enclosures for all-weather outdoor deployments.
Upgrade to Carrier Wi-Fi by installing SFP NIDs to enable Carrier Wi-Fi with service assurance
iConverter SFP NIDs provide a simple and cost-effective upgrade path from best effort Ethernet Wi-Fi backhaul for data offloading to Carrier Ethernet backhaul for Carrier Wi-Fi and Voice over Wi-Fi. SFP NIDs feature real time OAM Performance Monitoring and Fault Management functionality. They support ITU-T Y.1731 and TWAMP Performance Monitoring, and IEEE 802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management. When the SFP-NID is plugged into existing network equipment, these features enable low-cost monitoring of Carrier Ethernet functionality, operation and performance.
Outdoor Wireless Network Upgrade from Data Offloading to Carrier Wi-Fi
In this application example, a service provider has deployed outdoor Wi-Fi hot spots throughout a business and retail park to provide Wi-Fi access services. The service provider is upgrading the network to provide tiered, on-demand Wi-Fi services with paid subscriber access that include internet access and Voice over Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi calling).
The service provider is deploying the network upgrades in a “pay as you grow” strategy.
Wi-Fi Internet Access and Data Offloading
The initial Wi-Fi network was deployed with best effort Ethernet for internet access using unmanaged OmniConverter PoE Media Converters and PoE Fiber Switches that enabled fiber distance extension with PoE power for the Wi-Fi access points.
Carrier Wi-Fi (Voice over Wi-Fi)
The network was upgraded to Carrier Ethernet with service assurance and performance monitoring to add Voice over Wi-Fi services. This was accomplished by installing an iConverter SFP-NID into the existing OmniConverter PoE Media Converter to add network management, IEEE 802.1ag End-to-End Fault Management, ITU-T Y.1731 Performance Monitoring, and Two-Way Active Measurement Protocol (TWAMP). The SFP-NID also support integrated ITU-T Y.1564 Ethernet Service Activation Testing (SAT) and RFC 2544 Ethernet Service Testing. ITU-T Y.1564 and RFC 2544 test heads provide multi-flow Service Activation Testing (SAT) of throughput, latency, jitter and frame loss at full wire speed.
Service providers are rolling out 5G/LTE and deploying small cells in combination with macro cell towers to address escalating bandwidth demand from the proliferation of smart devices. Small cells are a cost-effective solution to increase capacity of wireless networks in high-usage areas inside the coverage area of macro cell towers (hot spots), and add coverage outside the coverage area of macro cell towers (not spots). There are several types of small cells, and these include femtocell, picocell, metrocell and microcell. Each type of small cell has a different coverage radius, number of concurrent users, power, and deployment scenario.
Type of Small Cells
Coverage Radius
Power (Watts)
Concurrent Users
Deployment
Femtocell
50-60 Feet
0.1
4-6
Indoors in residences and small businesses. Installed by customers.
Picocell
750 Feet
1
32
Indoors in large buildings, or outdoors on signs and, polls and on buildings. Installed by service providers.
Metrocell / Microcell
500 - 1,000 Feet
5
200
Outdoor on signs and, polls and on buildings in neighborhoods and campuses. Installed by service providers.
The business challenges to large-scale small cell deployments, particularly microcell and metrocell, are high equipment costs, and operating expenses associated with complex wireless networks. The technical challenges include the size of network equipment in compact locations, powering the small cell equipment, harsh environments with outdoor deployments, provisioning services, performance monitoring, fault management and timing synchronization.
Products
iConverter® GM4 NIDs with Power over Ethernet
By integrating Carrier Ethernet 2.0 demarcation and PoE functions into a single device, Service Providers can easily deploy Wi-Fi hot spots and small cells almost anywhere, reduce equipment costs and overall power consumption. iConverter GM4 PoE NIDs are compact demarcation devices with integrated PoE and advanced Carrier Ethernet 2.0 capabilities that reduce operating costs, provide faster Return On Investment (ROI) and improve customer satisfaction.
Smallest full-function NIDs available with 60W PoE
1000Mbps and 100Mbps Carrier Ethernet Fiber Access
Power over Ethernet sourcing of 802.3af (15.4W), 802.3at (34.2W) and up to 60W
Carrier Ethernet 2.0 Certified Compliant
Environmentally hardened with wide (-40º to 60ºC) and extended (-40º to 75ºC) temperature ranges
Small Cell Network Application
Small Cell Demarcation with PoE
In this application example, a Service Provider offers small cell (metro cell) coverage in addition to Wi-Fi offloading and video surveillance. Compact iConverter GM4 PoE NIDs are deployed to provide automated provisioning and testing, performance monitoring and fault management. The integrated Power over Ethernet provides power for up to four PoE devices, and eliminates the need for midspan equipment.
The Service Provider is deploying small cells along a fiber ring. The GM4 PoE NIDs are installed near available AC or DC sources, and provide PoE, PoE+ or 60W PoE from each RJ-45 port on the NID. GM4 PoE NIDs are available with two SFP fiber ports, and support G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching to enable resilient ring configurations.
The location at the top of the ring is an outdoor deployment, where a small cell antenna, a Wi-Fi access point, and an IP surveillance camera are connected to the GM4 PoE NID. The GM4 PoE NID is temperature hardened to -40º to 75ºC, and both the NID and the power supply can be installed in a weather-proof NEMA enclosure. On-board contact closure monitors the equipment enclosure for unauthorized tampering.
Reduce deployment costs with integrated PoE to power Small Cells and Wi-Fi access points
The other small cell site on the bottom is an indoor deployment, and the GM4 PoE NIDs provides connectivity to two Small Cells that can be located up to 200 meters away from each other (100 meters with each UTP cable).
Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVCs) are configured from the Wireless Carrier Network to each device, and the GM4 NIDs provide Carrier Ethernet 2.0 certified demarcation at each location. By integrating Carrier Ethernet demarcation and PoE functions into a single device, Service Providers can easily deploy Wi-Fi hot spots and small cells almost anywhere, reduce equipment costs and overall power consumption. The GM4 PoE NIDs feature Zero-Touch Provisioning, built-in Y.1564 and 2544 test heads to simplify and automate large scale small cell deployments. Comprehensive support for ITU-T Y.1731 Performance Monitoring and hardware-based measurement with nanosecond resolution enable granular Service Level Agreement (SLA) assurances. IEEE 802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management and G.8031 and G.8032 Ethernet Protection Switching enables the delivery of reliable services with uptime guarantees.
Carrier Ethernet 2.0 for Small Cells
Carrier Ethernet 2.0 Demarcation for Small Cells
This application example shows how a mobile operator can leverage the advantages of Carrier Ethernet 2.0 backhaul for small cells. One of the features of CE 2.0 is Multi-CoS (Multiple Classes of Service), which enables services within an EVC (Ethernet Virtual Connection) to be differentiated, prioritized and assigned unique bandwidth profiles. Multi-CoS optimizes network bandwidth utilization and provides predictable mobile backhaul SLA performance metrics.
A fiber link to a metro cell location transports an EVC that supports four Classes of Service. Clock synchronization traffic is assigned the highest priority (CoS 7), since it is most sensitive to delay and delay variation. Voice traffic is considered the next highest priority (CoS 5), which is also highly sensitive. Delay and delay variation tolerant 4G Data (CoS 3) and Wi-Fi backhaul traffic (CoS 1) are assigned the lowest priority. iConverter NIDs perform with ITU-T Y.1564 service testing and Y.1731 performance monitoring for each Class of Service.
Differentiate traffic flows with different performance categories to improve the Quality of Experience
Note that additional Small Cells and Wi-Fi access points can be installed up to 100 meters away from the GM4 PoE NIDs, so one NID can provide CE 2.0 demarcation and power up to four devices.
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Revive Exhausted Mobile Backhaul Fiber Links with CWDM and DWDM
The proliferation of data-hungry mobile devices is driving a seemingly insatiable need for mobile backhaul bandwidth. Fiber is the only media capable of supporting virtually limitless growth, so Carriers are currently driving fiber to the edges of the network. Coarse Division Wavelength Multiplexing (CWDM) is a cost-effective and reliable method to expand the fiber capacity of mobile backhaul networks and Radio Access Networks (RAN).
iConverter T1/E1 and Ethernet Multiplexers are available as a modular solution or as fixed configuration devices and that multiplex up to 16 T1 circuits and Carrier Ethernet over fiber.
iConverter Network Interface Devices
iConverter Carrier Ethernet 2.0 NIDs provide MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 Certified demarcation for business services and cloud services. These state-of-the-art NIDs enable business services with advanced service assurance, and reduce operating costs with automated service provisioning and testing.
CWDM Mobile Backhaul Application
Multiple 3G and 5G/LTE Services over CWDM Mobile Backhaul
On the left side of the diagram is a high-density 19-Module Chassis populated with iConverter 8-Channel CWDM/X Multiplexer modules located at a Mobile Switching Center (MSC). Each CWDM/X module has eight channel ports, and each channel port connects to a GM4 Network Interface Device (NID), or a T1/E1 and Ethernet Multiplexer (services from these devices are listed in the call out on the bottom left). The NIDs provide Gigabit Carrier Ethernet backhaul for 5G/LTE services, and the T1 Multiplexers transports up to sixteen T1s and Gigabit Carrier Ethernet for 3G services. Each of the NIDs and T1 Multiplexers are equipped with CWDM SFP Transceivers that match the wavelength of the CWDM/X channel ports, and are connected to the channel ports with fiber patch cables (color coordinated in the illustration for each wavelength).
Each fiber strand (Common Fiber Link) from the MSC transports 8 CWDM channels that connect to four cell towers with a 3G and 5G data channels connected to each cell tower. 16 channels can be transported over each fiber strand when two 8-Channel CWDM/X modules are connected with an optional Band Splitter, and each channel can support a data rate up to 10G.
An iConverter 2-Channel CWDM/AD Add+Drop Multiplexer is located at each tower along a fiber daisy chain (bus topology). Each CWDM/AD filters out two of the appropriate channels (wavelengths) at each tower. The other channels pass through the CWDM/AD Multiplexer and daisy chain to the next Add+Drop location.
At the each cell tower (shown in the call out on the bottom right), one wavelength transports sixteen T1s and Carrier Ethernet for 3G services, and is connected to a Modular T1/E1 Multiplexer with a GM4 NID transport module equipped a 1510nm SFP transceiver. The other data channel is transporting Carrier Ethernet for the 5G/LTE service, and is connected to an iConverter GM4 NID with a 1530nm CWDM SFP transceiver. The GM4 NID provides performance monitoring, fault management, and timing synchronization for the 5G/LTE service.
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Mobile Backhaul Evolution from TDM to Carrier Ethernet
The proliferation of smart mobile devices is driving a seemingly insatiable need for mobile backhaul bandwidth. Fiber is the only media capable of supporting virtually limitless growth, so Carriers are currently driving fiber to the edges of the network. Unfortunately, bandwidth is only part of the problem. Mobile technology is in the midst of a migration from 2G to 3G to 4G/5G/LTE. This means that Carriers providing backhaul must be able to satisfy the current need for TDM services while preparing for a seamless migration to an all Ethernet network in the future. While many options are available, Carriers must be able to support the migration in a scalable and cost-effective manner.
There are essentially three phases in the migration from legacy 2G to LTE mobile backhaul.
Legacy mobile backhaul networks are based on TDM
Current migration adds Carrier Ethernet to TDM network (Hybrid Mobile Backhaul)
The future requires Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Carrier Ethernet and fiber infrastructure
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iConverter NIDs provide the timing and OAM features that allow us to provide backhaul for 4G and 5G services.
Multiplex up to 16 T1 circuits and Ethernet over fiber
Supports point-to-point Ethernet, WDM wavelengths or Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVC)
Multiple groups of modules can be installed in the same chassis
Remotely-managed configuration and testing enables rapid deployment
Commercial (0 to 50º C ) and wide (-40 to 60º C) operating temperature ranges
Mobile Backhaul Evolution Applications
Migration from 2G to 3G to LTE
In these mobile backhaul application examples, a wireless operator is providing connectivity from a BSC/RNC to a cell tower via a fiber access network for a wireless carrier. Over time, the services evolve from multiple T1s (2G), to T1s and Ethernet (3G), to Carrier Ethernet (4G/LTE). These application examples show how the iConverter Multi-Service Platform enables a seamless transition from TDM to Ethernet services over the three phases in the migration from legacy 2G to 3G to 4G/LTE mobile backhaul.
Note that T1s and Ethernet over dark fiber are illustrated, but they can be transported over a switched cloud with the T1s and/or Ethernet transported over an Ethernet Virtual Connection (EVC).
2G – Multiple T1/E1 Circuits
This 2G application shows connectivity to a cell tower with multiple T1 circuits over a Radio Access Network (RAN) fiber link. At the BSC/RNC, groups of T1/E1 MUX modules are installed in a high-density 19-Module Chassis. Each group of modules transports up to 16 T1 circuits over a fiber access link using a GM4 NID as a fiber transport module. At the cell tower, a corresponding group of modules are installed in an iConverter 5-Module chassis that connects the T1 circuits to the 2G BTS cell tower. Both chassis conserve rack space and feature redundant AC or DC power supplies.
3G – Multiple T1/E1 Circuits and Ethernet
This 3G application shows connectivity to a cell tower with multiple T1 circuits over a RAN fiber link. At the BSC/RNC, the same groups of T1/E1 MUX modules are installed in a high-density 19-Module Chassis. Each group of modules transports up to 16 T1 circuits over a fiber access link using a GM4 NID as a fiber transport module. The GM4 NID module is now configured to transport Gigabit Carrier Ethernet with up to 16 T1 circuits. The GM4 NID has all the traffic management and Service OAM capabilities required for LTE, including Y.1564 Service Activation Testing, Y.1731 performance monitoring, 802.3ag fault management and 1588 synchronization. At the cell tower, a corresponding group of modules are installed in an iConverter 5-Module chassis that connects the T1 circuits and Gigabit Ethernet (via UTP or fiber) to the 3G nodeB cell tower.
4G/5G/LTE – Carrier Ethernet
This LTE application shows connectivity to a cell tower with Carrier Ethernet over a RAN fiber link. At the BSC/RNC, the T1/E1 MUX modules are decommissioned from the high-density 19-Module Chassis, and GM4 NIDs are used to transport Gigabit Carrier Ethernet. The GM4 NID has all the traffic management and Service OAM capabilities required for LTE, including Y.1564 Service Activation Testing, Y.1731 performance monitoring, 802.3ag fault management and 1588 synchronization. At the cell tower, a corresponding GM4 NID module installed in an iConverter 5-Module chassis connects the Carrier Ethernet (via UTP or fiber) to the 4G/LTE enodeB cell tower. The slots in each of the chassis that were occupied by the T1/E1 MUX modules can now be replaced with other modules, such as NIDs and CWDM multiplexers to deliver high-bandwidth services with advanced Quality of Service to the wireless subscribers.
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Carrier Ethernet Demarcation for LTE and 5G Mobile Backhaul
LTE/5G services are delivered via fiber backhaul to small cells and macro cell towers deployed throughout Ethernet Mobile Backhaul and Radio Access Networks (RAN). Due to the stringent performance requirements of LTE/5G services, Carrier Ethernet iConverter Network Interface Devices (NIDs) are deployed as demarcation devices to provide carrier-class performance monitoring, fault management and timing synchronization.
iConverter® NIDs enable wireless backhaul Service Level Agreements (SLA), reduce operating costs, and reduce capital expenditures when deploying small cells and cell towers in a variety of network topologies.
iConverter NIDs provide MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 Certified demarcation for business services and cloud services. These state-of-the-art NIDs enable business services with advanced service assurance, and reduce operating costs with automated service provisioning and testing.
iConverter NIDs are available with different feature sets, form factors and price points to match functions and cost to service
5G/LTE Mobile Backhaul Application
Mobile Backhaul Demarcation for 5G/LTE
In this application, a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) has a Radio Access Network (RAN) that connects cell towers to an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network, and needs to ensure performance requirements of delay, delay variation, loss and availability. To ensure these requirements are met, the MNO deploys Network Interface Devices (NIDs) at the points of demarcation to measure the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) of the access service.
Three Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVCs) are transported across a protected fiber RAN to the cell towers.
The RAN consists of a 10G resilient ring with ITU-T G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS). iConverter XM5 NIDs are deployed at hub locations for connectivity to the 10G G.8032 ring. A Gigabit fiber sub-ring is connected to the 10G ring, where an XM5 NID provides connectivity to the 10G ring and connectivity to the Gigabit sub-ring, and supports G.8032 protection switching on both rings. Compact five-port iConverter GM4 NIDs are deployed as nodes on the Gigabit sub-ring that enable up to three Gigabit or 100Mbps fiber access links from the nodes to cell towers.
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iConverter NIDs provide the timing and OAM features that allow us to provide backhaul for 4G and 5G services.
Another XM5 NID on the 10G G.8032 ring provides connectivity to redundant Gigabit fiber links with ITU-T G.8031 Ethernet Linear Protection Switching (ELPS) that is connected to a five-port iConverter GM4 NID at the other end to provide up to three Gigabit or 100Mbps fiber access links to cell towers.
The iConverter Carrier Ethernet 2.0 NIDs on the RAN provide advanced Traffic Management features that enable the MNO to offer MEF-certified Carrier Ethernet 2.0 services with Multiple Classes of Service (Multi-CoS), granular rate-limiting, and 802.1ad Provider Bridge VLAN stacking (Q-in-Q) for service multiplexing. iConverter Carrier Ethernet 2.0 NIDs filter the backhaul traffic, assign the traffic to different Classes of Services, enforce rate-limiting for each CoS, and forward the allowed traffic to the other subscriber locations. Support for per-flow service mapping, traffic policing and shaping transports nearly any type of backhaul traffic as an EVC or CoS flow.
The iConverter NIDs also support ITU-T G.8262 Synchronous Ethernet and IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) timing to achieve the stringent timing requirements of wireless voice and data applications. With PTP, it is possible to synchronize distributed clocks with an accuracy of less than 10 microseconds on the Ethernet RAN network.
Service activation and testing tools include Zero-Touch Provisioning, and built-in ITU-T Y.1564 and RFC 2544 test heads that allow the NIDs to perform tests with synthetic subscriber traffic, and eliminate the need for service personnel and test equipment at the cell tower. Service testing ensures proper service provisioning, validates the Service Level Agreement (SLA) parameters, and helps troubleshoot any service issues. These features shorten deployment time and reduce operating costs by simplifying service provisioning and testing.
During operation, the iConverter NIDs regularly communicate with each other, ensuring the service paths between the subscriber locations are uninterrupted. Advanced fault management features include support for IEEE 802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) for proactive fault monitoring and isolation, and G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) for resilient rings with sub-50ms failover.
iConverter NIDs support ITU-T Y.1731, MEF 23.1 and RFC 5357 TWAMP performance monitoring standards, ensuring the delay, delay variation, loss and availability of the service are meeting the SLA. Support for third-party SLA Portals enable customers access to performance monitoring metrics through the MNO’s existing OSS/BSS.
HetNet Demarcation Application
HetNet LTE/5G Mobile Backhaul with Tiered Demarcation
Service Providers and Cable Operators are deploying carrier Wi-Fi and small cells as part of the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) strategy to complement macro cell towers to meet the growing bandwidth demands of smart phones and tablets. Mobile backhaul now includes fiber connectivity to cell towers, small cells and Wi-Fi access points. iConverter NIDs provide a tiered product offering that supports different features, form factors and data rates.
In this application, Carrier Ethernet 2.0 NIDs are deployed in a Radio Access Network that consists of a 10G resilient ring. An iConverter XM5 Demarcation and Aggregation NID that supports G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) is deployed at a hub location on left side of the ring and provides up to 12 Gigabit fiber access links. On the right side of the ring, an iConverter XM5 NID provides 10G G.8032 ring connectivity and Gigabit fiber links with ITU-T G.8031 Ethernet Linear Protection Switching that connect to a Gigabit GM4 NID. The GM4 NID also supports G.8031, and provides up to three copper or fiber ports for connectivity to Cell Site Router (CSR) at the macro cell towers.
A GM4 PoE NID is also connected to the XM5 NID via a Gigabit SFP port. The GM4 PoE NID provides CE 2.0 demarcation and up to four RJ-45 copper ports with up to 75W HPoE to provide power and data to a Small Cell and a Wi-Fi Access Point.
iConverter CE 2.0 NIDs are MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 Certified Compliant to provide advanced traffic management and service assurance.
Service OAM NIDs are deployed at cell towers to provide cost-effective demarcation with performance monitoring and fault management for SLA assured services. Traffic management is performed by the XM5 NID at the hub location.
An SFP NID™ is installed directly into an SFP port in the Cell Site Router (CSR) at the macro cell, and saves Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) by eliminating the need for a standalone demarcation device. The SFP-NID enables low-latency, SLA-guaranteed 4G/LTE macro cell and metro/small cell backhaul services with real time Y.1731 and TWAMP Performance Monitoring 802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management. Integrated ITU-T Y.1564 and RFC 2544 test heads provide multi-flow Service Activation Testing (SAT) of throughput, latency, jitter and frame loss at full wire speed.
A microNID™ is deployed at the second cell tower. The microNID is a low-cost, standalone demarcation device that provides an RJ-45 copper hand off from a fiber access link, and supports the same features as the SFP-NID.
A GM3 NID is deployed at the third cell tower. The GM3 NID is cost-effective and feature rich demarcation device that supports Service OAM standards along with traffic management, policing and shaping. The GM3 NID also supports Zero-Touch Provisioning and port redundancy.
>>Learn more about different features supported by iConverter NIDs.
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Extend fiber network distances and convert wavelengths
Operators of Telecom and Cable MSO networks are facing challenges of distance limitations and bandwidth capacity as fiber networks evolve to provide more services to more customers.
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology is commonly used in today’s optical network. WDM increases fiber capacity by assigning each service (10G Fiber Channel, etc) an independent dedicated wavelength—which then is multiplexed into one fiber strand. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems are deployed on Optical Transport Networks (OTN) and other high-capacity fiber networks, but can require expensive optical amplifiers to reach long distances.
Gigabit, SONET and other legacy networks can require longer distances, and network operators need reliable and cost-effective solutions to avoid expensive forklift equipment upgrades.
The Optical-Electrical-Optical transponder (O-E-O) works as a re-generator which converts an optical input signal into electrical form, then generates a logical copy of an input signal and uses this signal to drive a transmitter to generate an optical signal at the new wavelength. The O-E-O Transponder automatically receives, amplifies, and then re-transmits a signal on a different wavelength without altering the data/signal content. Clients can be electrical or optical (1310 or 1550 nm), co-located or some distance away. Line side interfaces can be fiber, CWDM or DWDM with a variety of distances supported.
Products
Fiber Conversion and Amplification Products
iConverter® Transponders and Fiber-to-Fiber Media Converters
iConverter protocol-transparent transponders and fiber-to-fiber media converters support data rates up to 11.32Gbps, and improve the capabilities of existing fiber infrastructure by providing multiple functions in a single network device.
Optical amplification and distance extension
Standard wavelength to WDM wavelength conversion
Multimode to single-mode conversion
Dual fiber to single-fiber conversion.
All Omnitron Systems fiber media converters are backed with a lifetime warranty and free 24/7 technical support.
10G OTN Network Application
Extending 10G OTN DWDM Network Distances
This application diagram shows how to extend Optical Transport Network (OTN) fiber network distances using transponders and 10G DWDM tunable transceivers.
Tunable XFP transceivers are configurable to support a specific channel in a DWDM optical network. Tunable XFPs allow network operators to remotely change wavelengths (channel paths) when they need to redistribute bandwidth, or reconfigure/upgrade traffic patterns and services. The iConverter XG+ transponder can configure tunable DWDM transceivers with a management system that supports the configuration of these tunable XFPs.
In this application diagram, three 10G DWDM connections across an OTN network (this diagram is simplified for clarity, and dozens of DWDM connections are typically deployed). Three iConverter XG+ modules with high-power XFPs are installed in a 5-Module Chassis and connected with fiber patch cables to DWDM Multiplexer. A high-density 19-Module Chassis can also be used. The iConverter XG+ modules function as fiber repeaters and wavelength transponders. The high-power XFPs perform Forward Error Correction on the incoming signal, then amplify and re-encapsulate the outbound OTN signal.
Tunable DWDM Transponders provide cost-effective amplification of DWDM wavelengths
Gigabit or SONET Ring Application
Extending Gigabit or SONET Ring Network Distances
When fiber rings must extend beyond the standard 1310nm wavelength capability, a longer wavelength with increased optical power can stretch Ethernet and SONET ring distances.
The iConverter xFF fiber-to-fiber media converter and transponder is an inexpensive and reliable solution, especially when compared to upgrading SONET node equipment and Ethernet routers. Small Form Pluggable transceivers provide wavelength conversion from 1310nm to 1550nm, and amplify the optical power to span the distance in longer ring segments. The iConverter xFF is protocol-independent and supports Ethernet, OC-3/12/48, SDH-1/4/16 and Fibre Channel with data rates from 1Mbps to 8.50Gbps.
Omnitron fiber-to-fiber media converters, transponders and fiber repeaters provide multimode to single-mode, dual to single-fiber, and wavelength conversion. Fiber-to-fiber media converters that support SFPs also provide conversion from standard wavelengths (850nm, 1310nm and 1550nm) to CWDM wavelengths that enable connecting legacy fiber equipment to iConverter CWDM Multiplexers.
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Transponders are an inexpensive and reliable solution to extend fiber distances.
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Director of Network Engineering, Regional Fiber Network Operator
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By integrating Carrier Ethernet 2.0 demarcation and PoE functions into a single device, Service Providers can easily deploy Wi-Fi hot spots and small cells almost anywhere, reduce equipment costs and overall power consumption. 
iConverter® Carrier Ethernet 2.0 Network Interface Devices
