Wireless Backhaul Radio Provides Multifrequency, Always-on Reliability

December 17, 2012

LightPointe has announced the AireBeam G60-DP, a 60-GHz backhaul radio. It includes the DualPath Always-on technology, which utilizes multiple radios and frequencies, and automatically determines the best transmission method at any given time, in any type of weather. LightPointe’s solution has the capability to maintain an active data link between buildings and towers with much higher reliability, which is critical in the 60-GHz wireless bridge category, because the 60-GHz frequency range is subject to atmospheric oxygen absorption. In the event that the 60-GHz transmission becomes insufficient during temporary environmental conditions, LightPointe’s solution switches in real-time to alternative frequencies.

“The new AireBeam G60-DP series with DualPath Always-on technology provides our carrier and enterprise customers with the benefits of 60-GHz transmission — which is license-free in many countries — and also provides availability up to 99.999 percent for reliable, uninterruptable service,” said Heinz Willebrand, president and CEO of LightPointe, in a company statement. “These state-of-the-art radios can be deployed in a variety of applications such as connecting office buildings, school campuses, hospital wings, military installations, or providing bandwidth augmentation and small-cell backhaul in 4G LTE carrier networks.”

License-free 60-GHz radios have grown in popularity in recent years, which set them apart from licensed-band millimeter-wave and other radios. In the United States, the FCC has allocated an unprecedented 7 gigahertz of un-channelized spectrum for license-free operation between 57 and 64 GHz. This provides sufficient spectrum for multi-gigabit radio- frequency bridges. In addition, LightPointe’s solutions utilize narrow-beam antennas, which enable radios to be co-located in close proximity by using small angular separations and by using the use of cross-polarized, 1- and 2-foot-diameter antennas. In addition, for end-users concerned about signal security, oxygen naturally attenuates 60-GHz signals, which limits the signals’ ability to travel much beyond the intended target receiver. This, combined with the “pencil-beam” signal characteristics of 60 GHz, makes such transmissions secure.

“We’ve really made installation of these backhaul radios fast and easy, with power over Ethernet and a choice of connectors, depending on the customer’s requirements,” said Kim Sparrow, director of engineering for LightPointe, in a company release. “Not only is our new aluminum radio enclosure light and strong, it also includes an industry-exclusive LED display, which speeds installation and makes troubleshooting a network easier.”