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Pastimes : Triffin's Market Diary -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Triffin who wrote (13)	7/25/1999 7:16:00 PM
From: Triffin	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 868

SECTOR: BROADBAND WIRELESS Saw this post from another thread on some intriguing LU technology for this space .. This system does not require the service provider to acquire FCC licensed spectrum in order to operate .. May have negative implications for the ARTT/TGNT/NXLK of the world that have had to spend big $$$ for spectrum rights .. could be a huge advantage if the LU system can offer similar speeds/coverage area/ without any additional problems relative to the competition vis a vis LOS issues or attenuation problems .. -------------------------------------------------------------------- To: Frank A. Coluccio (4778 ) From: Teddy Saturday, Jul 24 1999 12:47AM ET Reply # of 4796 even more on Lucent's WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS Introduction Another Lucent innovation- the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS is the new "open air" optical networking system that will dramatically boost the bandwidth of the local data networks. This system allows transmission of 2.5 Giga bits per second (Gbps) of voice, video and data traffic over a single wavelength directly through the air. Using the Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM), WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS offers growth up to four wavelengths with the total capacity of 10 Gbps over several kilometers. Backed up by its highly secure design, WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS also, offers protection against possible interceptions. Coupled with these features, WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS presents yet another benefit -- quick and easy indoors and outdoors installation. WaveStar ™OpticAir OLS™' flexible design offers the unique technology that complements and enhances the current capabilities of today's fiber-optic networks. Features and Benefits High Capacity--Its DWDM technology allows transmission rates at 2.5 Gbps (OC-48/STM-16) up to 10 Gbps Long Reach Open Air System--Allows transmissions of up to 5 km Safe--Complies with the eye-safety standards Short Installation Time--Allows quick and easy installation Cost-effective--Provides an economic alternative to fiber access Applications The WaveStar OpticAir OLS™' flexible design allows multiple deployment options to serve the following applications: A high capacity open air solution for accessing media supported events that do not have an existing infrastructure or where the existing bandwidth is insufficient in meeting the high traffic demand. A temporary span/fiber recovery solution to maintain continuity of service and to act as a secondary backup A metropolitan link that provides building-to-building or campus network access A "Last Mile Access" solution for applications requiring enhanced bandwidth capacity , such as voice, data, internet and CATV Product description The WaveStar™OpticAir™ OLS consists of two terminal units that are used for transmit and receive of the signals. Each terminal unit composed of a telescope and one or more shelves depending on the number of the wavelengths deployed in the system. High power amplifiers are used as part of the design to ensure error-free transmissions of up to several kilometers. The system also includes optical translator units to allow easy deployment of the system into the existing networks and to provide and open interface for multi-vendor access. WaveStar ™ OpticAir™ OLS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is the principle behind the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS? WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS' optical infrared signals basically use the same principles of transmission as used in the fiber optic transmission system with the difference that here the beam is transmitted through open space rather than glass. Two beams are used, one for transmission and one for reception. For this light to be transmitted and received there must be a clear line of sight between the two systems with no obstruction in between such as trees or buildings. What are the major advantages of using the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS over other wireless technologies? The WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS just like other optical transmission systems offers much higher bandwidth (Multi-Gigabps) when compared to other non-optical wireless transmission systems. Wireless solutions such as spread spectrum or microwave links presently operate in the Mega bits per second (Mbps) range only. At this time, no other microwave system can provide 622 Mbps of throughput in a single transmission. The system does not suffer from any RF interference as is the case with other wireless technologies using RF. In comparison to other wireless technologies, the system also offers much higher signal security without the need for any encoding or encrypting procedures since it uses very narrow optical beams with zero side lobes which make it difficult to intercept. Also, infrared communication does not require any FCC approval (RF spectrum) and right of way permits, or any other forms of licensing (in US). It offers another advantage when compared to microwave radios since microwave radio's deployment requires careful planning due to possible interference of closely located terminals. Transmission with WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS requires only a clear line-of-sight along the narrow beam path between the two telescopes. What are the major advantages to using WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS instead of fiber optics? In many geographic locations, fiber optic cabling may be difficult, impossible to complete or simply too expensive, as when sites are separated by water or mountainous terrain. When quickly deployed connectivity is needed, a WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS system can be installed in much less time than it would take to install fiber. WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS systems can eliminate the need to run fiber optic for temporary connectivity needs such as conventions or sporting events. How will the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS normally be deployed? The electronics with the interface cards is encased in a single shelf (for one or two wavelengths, for more wavelengths additional shelves are needed) which can be mounted in a standard or ETSI compliant rack. Whether the shelf is rack-mounted or stand-alone in either case indoor deployment is required. The telescope for a single terminal is housed in a single weather-tight housing. This housing is to be mounted outdoor on a rigid surface, typically on a rooftop of a building. These housings are designed to withstand a wide range of conditions and temperatures. Fiber with a maximum length of 300 meters is used to transport the optical signal between the indoor equipment and the (outdoor) housing with the telescope. Can the telescopes of WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS be deployed indoors? The signal of the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS can be transmitted through glass, however, the light intensity will be reduced depending on the number of surfaces (single or double pane), tinting, reflective coatings, the quality of the window, the angle of incidence etc. The minimum visibility required for transmission will increase slightly with increasing loss of intervening windows. Can the telescopes move out of alignment? The telescopes are equipped with an automatic tracking system that will keep them aligned once properly installed. A rigid mounting surface such as concrete is required. What is the typical diameter of the beam through the air? At the location of the transmitting telescope the beam has a diameter of 0.20 m. The angular divergence of the beam is 0.5 mrad resulting in a typical diameter of 1 m at a distance of 2 km. How long does it take to install a link? Once a site has been prepared with proper power and signal interface connections, and mounts have been securely affixed at the sites, the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS system can provide connectivity within a few hours. What happens if there is a brief obstruction in the link's path, such as a bird flying across? Depending on where the object intercepts the beam, a momentary interruption of the signal might occur. The energy flux of the beam is such that it does not present any physical hazard to the person or animal causing the interception of beam. What is the recommended link range for WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS? The optical power transmitted by the "add side" optical amplifier, the "drop side" receiver sensitivity and various fixed losses within the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS result in a maximum loss that the system can tolerate between the telescopes. That loss, in turn is allocated to three factors. The first factor is beam spreading: the greater the range, the more the transmitted beam spreads out and the less of it falls on the receiving telescope. The second margin is allocated to scintillation. This is the atmospheric effect that makes stars twinkle and is the results of currents in the air. The third is simply the loss of the air itself. This effect can be thought of either in dB/km or perhaps the more familiar parameter of visibility, in km, frequently reported at airports. The net results of these effects is that a reasonable "rule of thumb" is that WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS can be expected to operate when the visibility is more than 1/2 to 2/3 of the link range. Therefore, the recommended distance for a link depends on the requirements the user imposes on the average allowed outage time and the average meteorological conditions at the link site. How does weather affect performance? The effects of weather on the performance of the system vary as the visibility of the weather varies as described in the previous FAQ. These variations explain the availability of the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS' dependent on weather conditions. A good "rule of thumb" is that the maximum distance for operation at any time is about 1 to 1.5 times the reported visibility that means an availability of more than 99% for the last mile for nearly all regions in the world. However based on available weather data for the site and the range, the typical availability can be estimated. What effect does sunlight have on the links? Direct sunlight into the front of the unit can result in outages lasting several minutes depending on the time of the year and angle of the sun. The system will fully recover once the sun is out of the field of view of the receiver. What effect does scintillation (heat shimmer) have? Scintillation imposes a low frequency variation on the amount of light detected by the receiver. If the amount of light detected falls below the required light threshold of the receiver, short bursts of errors will occur. The systems are designed to minimize the effects of scintillation. What is the wavelength range of operating for the WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS? The wavelengths are on the ITU grid and in the 1545 nm to 1565 nm range. When the system is equipped with more than one wavelength each will be transmitting at different wavelengths (channels). Is data communication with WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS secure? Infrared frequencies of light that are used in WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS are invisible to the naked eye and confined to a narrow path. Interception is difficult and requires knowledge of the physical location of the beam, as well as the ability to enter the beam path directly to receive the transmission using complex detection electronics. The user would detect this interruption. What are some good applications for WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS? For high bandwidth applications such as Tele-medicine or video-conferencing, WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS provides new alternatives to installing fiber optic cable between sites where it is very expensive or impossible to lay fiber. For situations which require temporary network connectivity, such as exhibitions, conventions, sporting events, or emergency situations, high bandwidth links can be easily and quickly provided using portable WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS systems. With private corporate networks, purchasing such a system can provide a very high bandwidth link between sites without the recurring costs of leased lines. Does WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS require any frequency licenses or safety permits from the end user's side? Narrow beam laser communication systems such as WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS do not cause and are not subject to interference normally associated with RF systems. For this reason, there are no user FCC licensing requirements for WaveStar™ OpticAir™ OLS. The products are rated eye and skin safe per all National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines. EOM -----------------------------------------------------------------