Alcatel-Lucent MDR-8000 - Manual (Page 11)

11 Alcatel-Lucent | MDR-8000 Packet Plus
significantly helps to overcome
interference. In practical terms, the
MDR-8000 Packet Plus can operate
with an antenna one size smaller
than a spread spectrum radio on
paths longer than 8 miles.
The narrowband modulation
of the MDR-8000 Packet Plus also
allows better utilization of the
available spectrum, as multiple RF
channel pairs can be utilized. This
is especially helpful at multi-way
junction sites where a wider array
of selectable frequencies is required
to avoid intra-system interference.
The 5.8 GHz version of the MDR-
8000 Packet Plus is also an ideal
way to add additional capacity as
an underlay on existing 6 GHz
routes. Simply adding bandpass
filters allows the MDR-8000 Packet
Plus to interoperate on the same
antenna system as the existing 6
GHz system. This is an ideal scenario
for customers with legacy TDM
systems (even analog) who want to
add Ethernet capabilities on the
same route.
Thanks to the commonality
between the licensed and unlicensed
versions of the MDR-8000 Packet
Plus, it is also a relatively simple
task to upgrade an unlicensed radio
at 5.8 GHz to licensed operation at
6 GHz. By simply making a few
changeouts, there is no stranded
investment involved in having to
purchase a new radio.
For applications that require quick
and efficient deployment in the 5.8
GHz unlicensed band, Alcatel-
Lucent has created a special low-
profile configuration called the
MDR-8000 Lite. The MDR-8000
Lite is a reduced-size package for
nonstandby unlicensed
configurations. Offering 8 DS1s
of capacity with +25 dBm transmit
power, it is compatible with all
other configurations of the
MDR-8000 Packet Plus family.
Many network architectures do not
require the built-in 1+1 equipment
redundancy of the standard MDR-
8000 Packet Plus shelf. Low-density
microwave routes with less than 8
DS1 requirements are commonly
equipped with 1+0 protection.
Additionally, when radio is used for
back-up to other wireline facilities,
redundancy of the radio electronics
is usually not required. Even highly
secure networks that utilize ring
protection switching don’t require
redundant radio electronics, since
service protection is provided by the
circuit multiplexers, not the radio
link. The low-profile MDR-8000
Lite radio is ideal for these
applications.