Release Details

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina, Sept. 15,  2008 – Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSTX), the leading independent supplier of turnkey wireless transmission solutions, outlined a comprehensive approach for managing the evolution of mobile backhaul networks using native mixed mode transport to simultaneously support both TDM and Ethernet traffic in parallel over a common wireless backhaul network, at Europe’s first Informa Mobile Backhaul Conference held in Madrid September 9 and 10.

In the presentation “All-IP Mobile backhaul: Flat networks in a Flat World?” Peter Croy, Harris Stratex Networks’ principal architect for IP Networks, outlined the challenges of managing a flat IP network and moving from TDM planning to IP network design within the confines of existing networks.  Microwave transmission, which is proven and trusted by all major carriers and mobile operators, is ready for today's challenges with the introduction of Carrier Ethernet services, Croy said. Microwave links offer optimal native mixed-mode topology, and are cost-effective, reliable and scalable for the expected growth in IP/Ethernet traffic volumes.

Growth in mobile broadband data services requires Carrier Ethernet to carry IP-centric traffic from the base stations to the mobile radio control systems in the core network. The capacity upgrade, said Croy, can be optimized by statistically multiplexing ‘bursty’ broadband data traffic aggregated from different base stations. The choice of traffic aggregation site strategy is key for the migration to all-IP backhaul networks.

 Croy also reviewed the defined and hidden costs of developing and maintaining an all-IP network, focusing on how using Ethernet can control backhaul costs. A modified native mixed-mode methodology reduces technical risk and takes advantage of the lower cost of commercial products, noting that mixed mode transport provides the efficient collection of a cluster of base stations. Native TDM transport is used to support and maintain important revenue-earning legacy voice traffic from 2G and 3G R99 base stations, and also to deliver the required high quality clock for base station synchronization. New IP-enabled Node B’s can then be deployed and supported by high efficiency native Ethernet transport over the same radio link, which can be simply introduced with minimal network disruption, and scaleable capacity thanks to new innovative techniques such as Adaptive Coding and Modulation. MPLS is then deployed at the hub to enable the aggregation of traffic from up to about 10 base station sites, with Pseudowire conversion for remaining TDM circuits. Croy illustrated his proposed topology with ‘native mixed-mode’ in an end-to-end mobile backhaul architecture including IP/MPLS and Pseudowires in the high-RAN part of the backhaul network.

“Carrier Ethernet delivers a significant value proposition for mobile backhaul, and can be combined with IP for an optimal, converged design,” he said.  “'Using MPLS routing for low-capacity links in small access clusters is neither cost-effective nor efficient and mixed-mode transport does a much better job there. Combined with MPLS and Pseudowire transport in the metro and core network, mixed-mode architecture delivers a future-proof backhaul network today.”

About Harris Stratex Networks, Inc.
Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. is the world’s leading independent supplier of turnkey wireless transmission solutions. The company offers reliable, flexible and scalable wireless network solutions, backed by comprehensive professional services and support. Harris Stratex Networks serves all global markets, including mobile network operators, public safety agencies, private network operators, utility and transportation companies, government agencies and broadcasters. Customers in more than 135 countries depend on Harris Stratex Networks to build, expand and upgrade their voice, data and video solutions. Harris Stratex Networks is recognised around the world for innovative, best-in-class wireless networking solutions and services. For more information, visit www.HarrisStratex.com.

Media Contact:   
Tonya Loggains, Harris Stratex Networks, + 1 919-767-3278, tonya.loggains@hstx.com