DIGI Fronthaul Solution

Overview

Product Overview

The DIGI Mobile Fronthaul Solution enables high capacity fronthaul connectivity for converged 4G and 5G centralized radio access networks (C-RANs). The solution breaks new ground by extending 100G OTN into the RAN to simultaneously aggregate high-density CPRI, 10GE, and 25GE radio links. Microsemi’s solution for Mobile Fronthaul networking enables up to a 10x increase in capacity, while introducing innovations that address the need for low latency with link equalization and network security. The platform enables a single architecture that spans today’s 4G deployments with built-in support for the transition to 5G.

Unlike conventional WDM solutions that allow for one radio per WDM link, Microsemi’s DIGI-G4 OTN fronthaul architecture allows for the aggregation of multiple 4G or 5G radio links into 100G OTN connections that delivers up to a 10x capacity scaling over existing optical infrastructure.

Differentiated with an embedded optical link security engine, integrated patent-pending real-time link latency equalization, and simultaneous support for 4G CPRI and 5G Ethernet protocols, Microsemi is helping redefine the CAPEX and OPEX cost of ownership paradigm in building fronthaul networks for mobile operators.

Microsemi’s Mobile Fronthaul solution can be deployed as an upgrade to existing systems, allowing OEMs to quickly add fronthaul support to existing cards at minimal incremental cost. The DIGI-G4 Mobile Fronthaul Solution is built on the PM5990 DIGI-G4 OTN processor and PM5980 DIGI-100GX OTN processor.

                                                            Enabling 4G and 5G Mobile Fronthaul with the DIGI-G4 Family

Mobile Operator and OEM Benefits

Unparalleled Fronthaul Capacity for 4G and 5G

• Increases fronthaul capacity by up to 10x compared to traditional fronthaul solutions
• Provides 2x 100G fronthaul uplinks supporting simultaneous CPRI and Ethernet clients

Reduced CapEx and OpEx for Mobile Operators

• Enables use of low-cost 100GBASE-LR4 optics
• Simplifies optical transceiver inventory management by optionally eliminating the need for WDM optics

Simplifies Fronthaul Network Deployment

• Uplink and downlink latency measurement and equalization
• Supports fronthaul network protection with configurable latency compensation

Lowest Risk and Fastest Time-to-Market

• Built on Microsemi’s production-released and field-proven DIGI-G4 family hardware and software platform
• Enables simple and low-cost upgrade of existing cards to support fronthaul