Marconi has launched its AXR range of fixed wireless transmission equipment, which it describes as the first truly multiservice radio platform for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint transmission.

The new access radio platform is designed to address mobile network operators’ need to manage increasing broadband data at reduced costs. The platform, designed for 2G, 2.5G and 3G networks, builds on Marconi’s years of experience in fixed wireless and microwave transmission.
Point-to-point (PTP) microwave systems in plesiosynchronous digital hierarchy (PDH) and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) technologies are important infrastructure building blocks in wireless networks. They facilitate fast and cost efficient connections of cellular base stations and access points independent of rights of way and fibre or cable routings. These technologies are an important component in the success of cellular mobile systems.
The increasing transmission of broadband data and continuous cost pressure on network operators require further optimisation of these technologies.
The company said its new AXR range from Marconi would:

• Reduce capital and operating costs through a universal and simple product approach with strongly improved logistics;
• Utilise traffic concentration and/or statistical multiplex at the very early stage of the network to optimise capacity in the metro and core branches;
• Implement flexible and intelligent traffic management featuring a high level of granularity and QoS (Quality of Service);
• Optimise spectrum efficiency without compromising link range by dynamic and flexible optimisation of these conflicting parameters;
• Provide various legacy and future interfaces in order to protect existing investments and be prepared for future applications;
• Apply an extremely compact hardware package.

Marconi’s new AXR radio access platform is capable of working as a PTP and PMP platform using the same hardware. All individual operation modes are configurable remotely. The air interface is based on the ETSI BRAN HiperAccess standard. Harmonisation with IEEE 802.16 is under development.
Based on its high transmission capacity, the AXR solution can replace PDH, PMP and even partly SDH technology in one single platform. The system core is based on asynchronous asynchronous digital hierarchy (ATM) and includes a powerful ATM processor capable of delivering higher value in terms of traffic management than existing systems, which are focused on transmission, but need additional equipment for traffic control.
As today’s UMTS technology is also built on ATM, this is a natural solution guaranteeing seamless end-to-end control based on the same physical layer and avoiding costly migration devices. Furthermore, the traffic management function can be applied in the very early stages of the network, improving efficiency in subsequent branches.
The approach is compatible with usual network topologies (line, ring, tree, daisy chain) but also facilitates meshed structures and repeater configurations required when large distance variations exist. Such topologies are seen as typical for 3G rollout based on existing infrastructures.