5-day Instructor-led theoretical course with practical exercises

After successfully completing this course, attendees will:

• List the requirements for 3G/4G/LTE backhaul
• Describe the challenges for 3G/4G/LTE backhaul
• List wireless network backhaul options
• Discuss the role of IP in cellular networks
• Explain ATM/TDM benefits, operations, and QoS support
• Explain IP/MPLS benefits, operations, and QoS support
• Explain Carrier/Metro Ethernet benefits, operations, and QoS support
• Describe benefits, challenges, and applications of wireless backhaul solutions (i.e. microwave and WiMAX), copper solutions (i.e. E1 leased lines, coax), and fibre solutions (i.e. SDH, PON)
• Compare different backhaul facilities and explain the pros and cons of the available solutions
• Apply QoS concepts in IP backhaul
• Sketch the 3G/4G/LTE IP backhaul deployment architecture
• Apply diffusion modelling techniques to forecast subscriber mixes
• Calculate overhead required for various backhaul options
• Apply traffic modelling models to estimate throughput requirements and oversubscriptions factors. These results in estimates of IP backhaul link capacities required to meet stated QoS requirements.

The 4th Generation (4G) or Long Term Evolution (LTE) of wireless technologies promises a much higher air interface data rate (over 100Mbps) to users. Delivering such high data rates require a very fast and efficient backhaul network. The current TDM E1 backhaul cannot support such high data rate with reasonable costs. These broadband networks require all-IP and Ethernet based broadband backhaul solutions. The first portion of this course explores the various technology options and architectures for Ethernet backhaul solutions including MPLS, Metro Ethernet over fibre, copper, and microwave raqdio deployments. The course will focus on demonstrating the backhaul requirements based on the type of population served, expected adoption of new networks and traffic models for key applications. This is demonstrated through a capacity planning exercise.

Participants will learn the requirements for IP Back-haul as well as the challenges. After the training, engineers will be able on Planning on Back-haul capacity and Mini Back-haul capacity.

Students should have a:

• Solid understanding of ATM and IP Fundamentals
• Knowledge of telecommunications (E1, SDH) and Good understanding of GSM and 3G
• Good understanding of data networking concepts (IP routing, protocol stacks, MPLS, etc.)

Students need to bring their laptop computers and have MS-Excel loaded.

This course is designed to address the needs of the telecommunications industry with emphasis on those involved in planning, design, and engineering of 3G/4G/LTE backhaul systems. It is suitable for backhaul network engineers and managers involved in deployment and operation of 3G/4G/LTE networks.

Module 1: Introduction to 3G/4G/LTE Networks/

• What is 3G and 4G(LTE)
• 3G Architecture
• 4G/LTE Architecture
• Circuit Switched vs Packet Switched Architecture

Module 2: The ‘Big Picture’ for 3G/4G/LTE Networks

• Data services requirements
• Wireless network architectures
• IP backhaul challenges
• Applications; impact on IP Backhaul

Module 3: Wireless Networks Backhaul Overview

• What is an IP Backhaul?
• “Access Network” transport solutions
• “Aggregation Network” transport solutions
• Worldwide Backhaul preferences

Module 4: ATM as a Backhaul Solution

• Overview of ATM
• Role of ATM in wireless backhaul
• ATM QoS concepts and the role of IMA

Module 5: IP and MPLS Basics

• IP fundamentals
• Integration of IP with MPLS
• MPLS fundamentals
• MPLS QoS
• IP and MPLS VPNs fundamentals
• MPLS Circuit Emulation
• Role of MPLS and VPNs in wireless backhaul

Module 6: Microwave in Wireless Backhaul

• Microwave network fundamentals
• Microwave access architecture options
• Issues with Microwave access
• Microwave vs WiMAX in wireless backhaul

Module 7: Carrier Ethernet in IP Backhaul

• Ethernet fundamentals
• Carrier Ethernet (CE) and the Ethernet Service Model
• CE attributes and the support for QoS
• Role of Circuit Emulation (CSEoE) and circuit bonding
• Role of CE in IP Backhaul

Module 8: Wireless Backhaul Evolution Scenario

• Flat vs centralised network architecture
• How traffic is mapped to 2G, 3G, and 4G(LTE) networks
• 5-phase evolution example using carrier Ethernet backhaul

Module 9: Backhaul Capacity Planning

• Diffusion modelling to forecast subscribers
• Examples of voice capacity planning
• Contrast legacy voice planning
• Multimedia planning process described
• Map traffic to planning zones
• Throughput requirements for the “Blended Subscriber”
• Determine “oversubscription factor”

Module 10: Mini-Backhaul Capacity Planning Workshop - Exercises

• 2G/3G/4G(LTE) subscriber forecasting
• Subscriber characterisation
• Estimating the peak throughput requirements
• Estimate number of cell sites per planning zone
• Final estimate of backhaul capacity