What Is Wireless Backhaul?

Compared to traditional wired solutions, wireless backhaul provides greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. It offers more rapid deployment, seamless communication, and the easy extension of network coverage. Therefore, 5g backhaul has become one of the main options for cabling solutions in today's world. In this post, the article will focus on the concept, different types, ranges, and applications of 5g backhaul to help you understand it.

What Is Wireless Backhaul?

With the development of 5G networks, three technologies have emerged: Fronthaul, Middlehaul, and Backhaul. 5G backhaul is an essential part of contemporary telecommunications networks, it provides a wireless connection between broadband sites and the main network. In the case of mobile networks, this is a frequent method of connecting a radio access network (RAN) tail site (e.g., a base station, eNodeB/eNB, or gNodeB/gNB) to the mobile network's core without the requirement for optical fiber deployment. It is utilized when high-speed wireline access to telecom locations is unavailable (usually via fiber optics), quick deployment is necessary, and a cost-effective alternative is required.

Wireless vs Wired Backhaul

Wireless spectrum enables the transmission of audio, video, and data traffic through microwave connections, known as wireless 5g backhaul or fixed wireless 5g backhaul. Wireless carriers often install microwave dishes on top of cell towers for backhaul purposes. When it comes to point-to-point data transmission, it uses a specialized type of antenna which is known as a microwave dish. However, wired backhaul refers to the transport of data from a network's edge to its central location via physical cables or connections. In most cases, the majority of backhaul traffic is transmitted through wired connections, primarily utilizing fiber-optic networks, although older copper-based T-1 lines are occasionally utilized in specific situations. In addition to the two backhaul types mentioned above, there are other different types, such as microwave backhaul, millimeter wave backhaul, satellite backhaul, and so on.

The Range of Wireless Backhaul

• Short-haul solutions: Short-haul links, commonly offering wireless link capacity of up to 20 Gbps, are utilized in the access and aggregation backhaul sectors, covering relatively short distances ranging from a few hundred feet to 10 miles. These short-range connections are deployed in access scenarios, such as macrocells and small cells, to establish wireless connections between individual base stations and cellular towers, ensuring connectivity to the core network.

  

• Long-haul solutions: The telecommunication backbone network relies on high-capacity links, which are often referred to as the "highways" of the network. These links, offering multi-Gbps capacity, are utilized to transmit services across distances ranging from 10 to 100 miles. With proper planning, configuration, and equipment, they can even bridge distances exceeding 150 miles. Long-haul microwave links commonly employ a multicarrier setup, where 4, 8, or even 16 carriers are grouped within a single link. This configuration utilizes a shared antenna and employs space diversity techniques to mitigate fading and maintain reliable connectivity. To optimize the utilization of multicarrier setups, traffic distribution engines like Ceragon's multicarrier Adaptive Bandwidth Control (ABC) dynamically adjust the traffic distribution across each carrier based on their available capacity.

Important Applications of Wireless Backhaul

Certainly, backhaul plays a crucial role in almost every aspect of connectivity, Some of the important applications include:

• Facilitating Enhanced Public Connectivity Within A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

  Many cities utilize metropolitan area networks, commonly referred to as MANs. These networks utilize wireless backhaul to effectively deploy a high-bandwidth "Wi-Fi net" across a specific region. Backhaul is employed in public Wi-Fi hotspot deployments, such as airports, cafes, parks, and stadiums. It enables the connection of Wi-Fi access points to the internet backbone, facilitating wireless internet access for users. Users or subscribers can establish connectivity to this network without the need for physical cabling installations in their homes or workplaces.

  

• Addressing The Difficulties Encountered in Mobile Networking

  Networks are undergoing various transformations that will introduce new challenges for wireless carriers and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). These challenges include the need to provide significantly higher capacity, up to a hundred times more, as well as effectively managing the densification of 5G networks. 5G backhaul offers an opportunity to tackle and overcome many of these obstacles. In particular, 5g backhaul plays a critical role in deploying additional cellular sites with increased capacity, reduced latency, and the ability to handle diverse services. By strategically designing, identifying, and acquiring new cell sites, operators can reduce their reliance on fiber availability and explore alternative practical solutions.

• Promoting More Secure Measures in Operational Processes

  By leveraging backhaul, organizations can elevate the security standards of their operations. For example, while monitoring networks are vigilant against criminal activities, there is a risk of overlooking critical moments if the link unexpectedly fails. Wireless backhauls can strengthen this connection, while also facilitating last-mile aggregation. This allows for a direct connection to the internet, eliminating the need for multiple intermediary steps. These wireless networks can transmit numerous data channels, ensuring efficient and unrestricted throughput of data, video, and voice.

• Building Smart Cities

  Wireless backhaul supports the infrastructure of smart cities by connecting various devices and sensors deployed throughout the urban environment. It enables data transmission for applications like smart traffic management, environmental monitoring, and public safety systems.

Conclusion

With the increasing demand for high-speed data networks, the significance of dependable and effective wireless backhaul solutions becomes more crucial than ever. Wireless access backhaul offers advantages in certain situations due to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, rapid deployment, redundancy, and reduced power consumption, making it a valuable solution.