Although, microwave point-to-point communications are common in a variety of industrial and military applications, telecom operators have been primarily using fiber optic links for connecting main and remote radio units (RRUs) in their networks. While there are several advantages in terms of data speed, performance and cost, there are many situations, such as in dense urban environments, when using fiber connections can be difficult, costly and limiting.
Telecom equipment giant Ericsson has now successfully demonstrated that it is possible to connect the main and remote radio units with a microwave link, offering operators greater flexibility and capacity.
The company has conducted several tests at its facilities in China. In this test, Ericsson said that the microwave connection between the main unit and the remote unit was provided by a MINI-LINK PT, working in the E-band (70-80 GHz). According to Ericsson, the microwave link provided capacity of 2.5 Gbps, which is sufficient for a wireless main-remote system in compliance with Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) standards. “This is one example of new applications with high-capacity packet microwave products,” said the maker.
Because MINI-LINK PT is compact and easy to install outdoors, this solution will allow for rapid connection of RRUs, including small RRUs that can be used to add small cells to existing networks, Ericsson said. Consequently, Ericsson believes that microwave communications will transform existing networks into heterogeneous networks (hetnets) and boost overall capacity.
In a statement, Ola Gustavsson, head of Product Line Microwave and Mobile Backhaul at Ericsson, stated, "In situations where optical fiber isn't the best option due to cost or time to market, it is great that we now have an alternative -- in the form of microwave -- that will allow operators to connect the main and remote radio units in their networks. Making it easier for operators to do business is our primary business.”
Edited by
Rich Steeves 
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