Overview
Data Offloading and Voice over Wi-Fi
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.
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.
NOTE: Managed RuggedNet Industrial Fiber Switches can also be deployed for fiber access and Power over Ethernet, and also support iConverter SFP-NID upgrades.
Outdoor Wi-Fi Application
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.
NOTE: Managed RuggedNet Industrial Fiber Switches can also be deployed for fiber access and Power over Ethernet, and also support iConverter SFP-NID upgrades.
