RAD Expands Pseudowire Access Solutions to Include 3G Backhaul over Broadband Wireless and DSL

LAS VEGAS, April 5, 2006 – RAD Data Communications, the industry pioneer of Pseudowire circuit emulation technologies, has introduced a complete set of access solutions over packet transport to support 3G backhaul over Metro Ethernet networks, wireless, and DSL services.

RAD’s Metro Ethernet solution, on display at Booth 245 at CTIA Wireless here, includes Pseudowire, the technology that allows traditional voice and TDM traffic to be carried over packet networks without a need to purchase all-new communications equipment.

“With the emergence of 3G networks, service providers must now simultaneously support the divergent demands and applications of multiple cellular generations,” notes Oded Ilan, President of RAD Data Communications, Inc. “Traditional TDM networks, for example, are used to transport 2G and 2.5G backhaul, while 3G backhaul, currently transported over the TDM and ATM infrastructure, is expected to migrate to packet-switched Gigabit Ethernet, IP, and MPLS networks.

“Considering the major impact that backhaul has on capital and operating expenses, cellular operators and service providers are constantly on the lookout for innovative solutions that make more efficient use of the transport bandwidth,” Ilan added.

RAD’s ACE-3x00 series of multiservice aggregation units is the first such commercially available solution to simultaneously support TDM and ATM over packet-switched networks. RAD incorporates its Pseudowire capabilities into the ACE-3x00 series, giving operators and service providers a future-proof cellular backhaul migration path to tomorrow’s Ethernet/IP/MPLS networks.

These benefits also give mobile operators greater ability to manage network operations and reduce ongoing expenses. With their advanced shaping and scheduling capabilities, the Pseudowire-enabled ACE-3100, ACE-3200, and ACE-3400 let operators implement overbooking strategies, optimizing network utilization and avoiding packet transport congestion.

Pseudowire capabilities have also been added to RAD’s Airmux-200, a carrier-class, high-capacity wireless multiplexer that connects E1/T1 and Ethernet networks point-to-point over a wireless link. Compliant with FCC, CAN/CSA and ETSI regulations for license-exempt transmission, the Airmux-200 operates over 5.25–5.35, 5.4-5.7, and 5.7-5.85 bands, as well as 4.9 and 2.4 GHz.

“This has generated enormous interest among base station vendors,” Ilan noted. “Since unlicensed bandwidth is essentially free, backhaul over unlicensed bandwidth can mean significant savings for cellular operators.”

The wireless environment is typified by interference, bursting, and latency issues. However, with an accurate T1/E1 clock recovery, low round-trip delay, and high link availability, the Airmux overcomes these challenges, making it an ideal carrier-class wireless transmission system not only for cellular backhaul, but for connecting remote enterprise locations, broadband Last Mile services, and hotspot backhauling.

To complement its access portfolio, RAD has incorporated its Pseudowire technology into its Link Access line of Integrated Access Devices. Pseudowire emulation over DSL lines enables carriers deploying this equipment to roll out high-revenue leased line and cellular backhaul services over IP DSLAMs and evolving Ethernet/IP/MPLS networks.

RAD is leading industry efforts to bridge the gap between services originating in traditional networks and their transport over next generation packet-switched backbones. By using Pseudowire as an access solution for new packet-switched networks, carriers avoid customer churn by continuing to support popular and profitable legacy services while still extending advanced networks right up to the customer premises.