Wireless and fiber optics used to exist in different worlds: one for connecting cellular phones and the latter for connecting computer networks. Today, with its almost unlimited capacity performance, fiber is essential for 5G mobile network evolution. But connecting the two technologies is still a challenge.
A joint wireless/fiber group has come together to publish a joint technical paper, which studies the use of the technology employed to connect cell sites to fiber optic networks, known as mobile optical pluggables (MOPA).
The joint technical paper published by the MOPA initiative, which consists of Ericsson and Nokia and three leading optical pluggables vendors, II-VI, Lumentum and Sumitomo Electric, covers optical solution deployment cases for 5G transport networks. In particular, the paper recommends predefined optical blueprints that help operators decrease time-to-market using a common list of optical pluggable modules. Additionally, the paper describes the most optimized optical pluggable modules and passive optical components.
“Network operators are currently challenged with assessing many pluggable variations, increasing their qualification workload and slowing time to deploy. MOPA will streamline efforts for the connectivity community, enabling cost reductions and reducing time to deploy,” said Ian Redpath, Practice Leader, Transport Networks and Components at Omdia.
“Fiber is a critical component of 5G rollouts and provides unmatched capacity for 5G transport. A clear overview of available optics strategies makes it easier to design and deploy 5G networks. We are pleased to be joining forces with Ericsson, II-VI, Lumentum and Sumitomo Electric on this vital initiative which will make the choice for fiber even more compelling in the transport domain,” Stefaan Vanhastel, CTO Nokia Fixed Networks, said.
In general, the MOPA initiative attempts to make it easier for mobile network operators to estimate and plan the deployment and evolution of mobile optical pluggables. Another goal of MOPA is to facilitate research and development and the development of more stable and sustainable supply chains.
The technical paper contains 19 blueprints, divided into the different deployment cases, including distributed RAN (DRAN), centralized (CRAN) and virtualized RAN (VRAN). For each, the pluggables for the important bit rates and interfaces are included for low-layer split (LLS), high-layer split (HLS) and backhaul.
“The optical blueprints use the most suitable technology for that deployment: gray optics, dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) or packet aggregation,” wrote Stefan Dahlfort, Ericsson. “This is unlike many other standards and technical papers that only focus on one interface (e.g. LLS, often described imprecisely as fronthaul) and one technology (such as DWDM). Now, for the first time, we have a combined collection of the most important solutions in one technical paper.”
Recommendations in the joint technical paper include optical characteristics, such as data rates, reach, power, wavelengths as well as mechanical characteristics such as form factor, heat dissipation and operational temperature.
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