RAPTORXR Broadband TV White Space (TVWS) Backhaul Digital Radio System TECHNICAL OVERVIEW AND DEPLOYMENT GUIDE CONTACT: BBROWN@METRICSYSTEMS.COM
Broadband White Space Mesh Infrastructure LONG REACH - FAST - RELIABLE - SECURE The RaptorXR is the industry s first Full-Duplex Carrier-Class White Space Broadband Radio. RaptorXR provides unlicensed access to 252 MHz (42 channels) of prime regional VHF (174-216 MHz) and UHF (473-599 and 620-695 MHz) spectrum in the North American TV band. The RaptorXR is designed to provide reliable backhaul service in difficult LOS and NLOS rural and urban deployments.
CONTENTS Overview The Basics Part 1: FCC Policy (U.S. only) The Basics Part 2: Physical Performance TVWS Spectrum Use RaptorXR Capability Summary Range and Performance Comparison Raptor Deployment Configuration Single Link Configurations Single Link Diversity Configurations Dual Link and Channel Bonding Configurations Antenna Options
OVERVIEW Meeting the relentless demand to expand and extend network connectivity into urban and rural environments is a continuing challenge. Microwavebased systems require LOS (line-of-sight) and NLOS (non-line-or-sight) operation is geographically problematic. The RaptorXR, utilizing prime VHF and UHF TV band spectrum (called TV White Space by the FCC), provides a cost effective approach to delivering backhaul and edge connectivity in challenging NLOS, treed paths. This presentation highlights the core capabilities of the RaptorXR to meet the dual challenges of maximizing coverage and capacity economically and effectively.
THE BASICS Part 1: What is White Space spectrum? Unlicensed White Space Technology uses: TV Channels 2-51, 54 to 698 MHz Operating channels are assigned via a secured FCC-certified database All FCC equipment undergoes a rigorous certification process. White Space Channel Availability Heat Map Nearly 90% of the continental lower 48 states have a minimum of 8 White Space channels per zip code Alaska, Hawaii and US Pacific Territories have 10-45 available channels. In the US Virgin Islands there are 32 White Space channels Puerto Rico has 2-30 channels available
THE BASICS Part 2: Physical Performance WHITE SPACE SPECTRUM ADVANTAGE RANGE COMPARISON Superior propagation characteristics over WiFi, microwave and cellular Goes farther and penetrates deeper into buildings and residences Superior penetration capabilities through vegetation and foliage; Excellent non-line-of-sight operation CURRENT MICROWAVE WIRELESS SYSTEMS Bluetooth 1-100 meters Short-range Line-of-sight 802.11n 1-200 meters Broadband Primarily line-of-sight In-building short range WHITE SPACE SPECTRUM UHF TV Channels 14-51 Wide-area In-building and campus Non-Line of Sight Hi-band VHF (174-216 MHz) TV Channels 7-13 5-15 miles Non-Line of Sight Low-Band VHF TV Channels 2-6 5-20 miles Non-Line of Sight
TV WHITE SPACE SPECTRUM USE (U.S. only) Using TV White Space spectrum requires: 1. The equipment is FCC certified; 2. Available operating channels be securely allocated from an FCC- approved Database supplier, e.g. Google, iconectiv, Spectrum Access, etc; 3. Database be periodically accessed to renew operating channels. 1) RaptorXR Station 1 2) RaptorXR Station 2 3) RaptorXR station 3 4) Core Internet 5) White Space Database Provider 6) FCC Licensed Database 7) RaptorXR White Space Wireless Cloud Channel Acquisition Process Each White Space digital radio must automatically: Upon installation, register with an FCCapproved data base (e.g. Google, iconnectiv, etc.) The Registration process verifies that the RaptorXR is a valid FCC-certified device and provides all locally available VHF and UHF channels Installer provides GPS site coordinates. The RaptorXR queries the TVWS database for locally available channels. The installer can choose an operating channel pair or engage the RaptorXR to select the channel or best operating pair.
RAPTORXR CAPABILITY SUMMARY Operating Bands: VHF RaptorXR - #50739.1.P.174 UHF RaptorXR - #50739.1.P.470 Operating Bandwidth: 174-216 MHz 470-698 MHz 6 MHz standard North American TV channel width 7/8 MHz using adjacent channels and reduced power (16 dbm EIRP) Maximum EIRP Power Output*: 36 dbm (4 Watts); wilderness areas 40 dbm (10 Watts) Higher power available in export applications. Rx Sensitivity and useful full-duplex endto-end data rates: VHF Standard 6 MHz TV Channel Bandwidth Minimum useful sensitivity: - 96 dbm Minimum useful full-duplex data rate: 6.2 Mbps Maximum useful full-duplex rate: 30.5 Mbps Required Rx signal level: -72 dbm UHF Standard 6 MHz TV Channel bandwidth Minimum useful sensitivity: -94 dbm Modulation: 4 QAM CR: ½ GI: ½ Minimum useful full duplex data rate: 6.2 Mbps Maximum useful full-duplex rate: 30.5 Mbps Required Rx signal level: -72 dbm * EIRP Effective Isotropic Radiated Power Average conducted power output (dbm) + antenna gain referenced to isotropic antenna (dbi)
RANGE AND PERFORMANCE COMPARISON of VHF/UHF TVWS BANDS VS 900 MHz/2.4 & 5.8 GHz SYSTEMS Advantages of VHF/UHF White Space spectrum (TVWS): Excellent propagation through walls of nearly all types, trees and vegetation, Excellent non-line-of-sight and multi path propagation Large # of channels available for fixed and portable operation; average of (3) per U.S. zip code. Excellent outdoor to indoor propagation Excellent in-building and through-wall operation Overall superior coverage in rural, wilderness and urban areas. TABLE 1: Range:5.025 miles/8.04 km FIGURE 1: Test Path for TABLE 1 Antenna Height (Above Ground Level) feet/meters Unlicensed Band/ # of nonoverlapping channels EIRP dbm System Margin db Nominal Rx Signal for 10 mbps Antenna Gain 21.3/6.5 VHF White Space 174-216 MHz 13 channels 42.6/13 UHF White Space 470-698 MHz 30 channels 50/15 902-928 2 channels 65.6/20 2400-2483 3 channels 82/25 5800-5900 6 channels 36 9.0-80 10 dbi 36 5.1-80 10 dbi 36 5.2-80 16 dbi 36 3.7-70 20 dbi 46 4.1-65 26 dbi Table 1 and Figure 1 show the physical advantages of Operating in TVWS vs Microwave.
RAPTORXR DEPLOYMENT CONFIGURATIONS The standard RaptorXR VHF and UHF radio models are designed to meet a wide range of requirements: The following figures show configurations to support. 1. Channel (link aggregation) for enhanced data throughput and link reliability 2. Rx Diversity Option which provides throughput enhancement increases system reliability 3. Channel Bonding Diversity allows traffic to be shared on two independent channels ( e.g. 22 and 42) or different bands (VHF and UHF).
SINGLE LINK CONFIGURATIONS The standard UHF RaptorXR includes an internal, highly efficient frequency duplexer to allow fullduplex broadband traffic. An external duplexer may be required when operating in highly congested urban environments, on ultra-long links, and when operating in the VHF band. To Link Antenna (See Antenna Options) To Link Antenna (See Antenna Options) Polyphaser EMP Protector Polyphaser EMP Protector All Components Must be Earth Grounded Rx Tx UHF Mobile Duplexer VHF Mobile Duplexer RaptorXR Digital White Space Radio Figure 1: Standard UHF RaptorXR provides a common Tx/Rx antenna port. A standard VHF RaptorXR requires an external VHF duplexer. RaptorXR Digital White Space Radio Figure 2: Standard VHF RaptorXR with the external duplexer is provided with independent Type N Tx and Rx RF ports.
SINGLE LINK DIVERSITY CONFIGURATIONS Antenna 1 Antenna 2 Polyphaser EMP Protectors All Components Must be Earth Grounded The RaptorXR s Rx Diversity Option uses two independent Receive Channels to combine and reconstruct error-free traffic. Provides system design advantages when operating in high multipath and long range environments: Provides 4-6 db improvement in system performance by effectively increasing system sensitivity Effectively increases power by 200% Rx1/Tx Rx 2 Primary RaptorXR Link Radio Figure 3: Standard RaptorXR with Diversity Option and Integrated UHF Duplexer To Link Antenna 1 (See Antenna Options) To Link Antenna 2 (See Antenna Options) Polyphaser EMP Protectors Figure 4: VHF RaptorXR optioned with Duplexer and Diversity Option All Components Must be Earth Grounded Rx1 Tx UHF VHF Mobile Duplexer Rx 2 Primary RaptorXR Link Radio
DUAL-LINKCHANNEL BONDING AND LINK AGGREGATION Full-Duplex Link 1 RaptorXR Link 1 Radio RaptorXR Link 1 Radio TO NETWORK Full-Duplex Link 2 RaptorXR Link 2 Radio TO NETWORK RaptorXR Link 2 Radio Figure 5: In this configuration two standard RaptorXR Systems (VHF and/or UHF) provide continuous point-topoint service. Reliability and throughput are key requirements for backhaul and critical edge links. Parallel independent hot standby links (where both links are transporting traffic are recommended for 100% reliability). An outage on either link will not affect the remaining link. Full-Duplex Link 1 TO NETWORK Full-Duplex Link 2 TO NETWORK Standard Off-the-Shelf Link Aggregation Switch Figure 6: Link Aggregation integrates each independent link into a common higher speed link.
VHF AND UHF ANTENNA OPTIONS VHF AND UHF FIXED ANTENNA OPTIONS VHF Directional Antennas 174-220 MHz UHF Directional Antennas 470-700 MHz VHF Directional Gain: 10 dbi UHF Directional Gain: 10.12 dbi VHF Directional Gain: 9.15 dbi VHF Directional Gain: 10.61 dbi Optimum backhaul and broadband edge coverage and capacity performance is ultimately based on antenna performance. MSC offers a wide selection of VHF and UHF antennas to meet specific requirements. In addition to the broadband directional antennas, sector and omni directional antennas are also available. UHF Directional Gain: 13.15 dbi UHF Directional Gain: 17.15 dbi
Thank you! For additional information contact: Bill Brown President and Chief Engineer bbrown@metricsystems.com Or call: 760-560-0348