An Introduction to Packet Microwave Systems and Technologies

Packet microwave systems were introduced to bring the all-IP paradigm into the microwave transmission domain. The approach taken by this book is to define a “reference” packet microwave system, highlighting the main functional and technical characteristics. In the first part the characteristics that are foundational to a packet microwave are compared to hybrid systems. The interworking function and the data awareness function are analyzed and the architecture of a packet microwave is also discussed. The second part deals with the benefits of packet microwave systems in scalability, operational flexibility, and networking. Capacity mechanisms (adaptive modulation, packet compression methods and radio-LAG algorithms) are analyzed and the microwave applications (split-mount, full-outdoor and IP-enabled) discussed. Examples of how packet microwave systems are employed in LTE mobile backhaul networks are shown. The role of layer 2 (Carrier Ethernet) and layer 3 (IP/MPLS) microwave is discussed. The final part looks at the evolution of packet microwave technologies. The role of SDN, SON, energy efficiency, millimeter-wave technologies, increased spectrum efficiency (H-QAM) is discussed.