Microwave network solutions provider Aviat Networks, Inc. recently announced its participation and culmination of LTE trials. This work was conducted as part of the Public Safety Communications Research program through Boulder Laboratories of the Boulder, Colorado commerce department. With the completion of these tests, Aviat is now the first organization to utilize high-capacity microwave systems for LTE testing in a licensed spectrum through the PSCR program.
Leveraging 50 years of experience, Aviat is now focused on providing microwave transmission solutions within the LTE market.
"[N]ow we are delivering the next generation of LTE proven and mission critical microwave networking solutions that bring together high performance radio transmission, advanced data networking and smart network evolution to all-IP," the company stated.
Aviat's main goal in these regards is to make technology available to mobile service operators that will allow these groups to prevent issues associated with bandwidth demand. Currently, the company offers microwave backhaul solutions for 300 global mobile networks.
FirstNet-ready solution
With the completion of the PSCR tests, Aviat's microwave solution has been independently validated and is ready for launch in FirstNet, the country's first high-speed network committed to public safety. The system is primarily utilized by first responders as a means to collaborate on life-saving and crime prevention efforts.
The network was established with LTE wireless technology for better connectivity, security, coverage and capacity to support land mobile radio network needs of police, firefighters and medical emergency responders.
"Using a nationwide spectrum license, FirstNet will provide a single platform for daily public safety communications," the National Telecommunications and Information Administration stated. "FirstNet will enable local, state, regional and national emergency responders to communicate at the direction of the incident commander."
PSCR testing details
According to Frank Ohrtman, analyst and author of the Mind Commerce public safety broadband market report, the Public Safety Communications Research lab provides the resources for organizations to safely test LTE offerings for the broadband market. Additionally, the lab "serves as a gatekeeper for interoperability testing" and allows companies to utilize a wireless testbed for interoperability trials.
"Ultimately, it's critical that public safety networks that want to join FirstNet purchase equipment that has been thoroughly checked out in real-world conditions, such as those that exist in the PSCR field lab," Ohrtman said.
Utilizing Aviat's microwave backhaul radio for LTE base station testing, PSCR was able to illustrate that the company's system has the necessary capacity and ability to support public safety LTE needs.
Tony Ljubicich, Aviat Networks vice president of North American sales and services, said the company has worked in conjunction with public safety operators for more than five decades. These groups have enjoyed the wide bandwidth resources of Aviat's offerings, including its high capacity licensed microwave radios. The company's Eclipse radio platform was utilized by the PSCR in the network demonstration. The Eclipse solution can be leveraged to provide an all-indoor LTE architecture as well as wireless communications and network management security.
"As a global leader in wireless infrastructure solutions for telecom networks, we welcome the challenge to prove the interoperability of Eclipse radio with other vital emergency communications equipment," Ljubicich said.
