Next generation

CBNL
Cambridge Broadband Networks
small cell backhaul
VectaStar Metro
The ultimate in multipoint microwave
for small cell backhaul

600Mb/s
Fast time to market
54% TCO savings
Zero footprint
Next generation
small cell backhaul
Intelligent design
Compact form factor
Intergrated antenna
Zero indoor footprint
High performance
600Mb/s per link
<1ms round-trip latency
Low total cost of
ownership
Up to 54% savings
Next generation thinking
CBNL
Cambridge Broadband Networks
Everything points to
multipoint microwave
The dawn of the small cell era demands a fresh
approach to backhaul. Operators need high
capacity, extensive coverage and rapid deployment
all at the lowest possible cost of ownership.
Microwave solutions make use of the plentiful
supply of spectrum which is available by the tens
of GHz in these bands. A multipoint topology
speeds and simplifies installation as only one end
of the link needs to be visited when commissioning,
with the total cost of ownership benefit that comes
with deploying approximately half the equipment.
By comparison the shortage of uncongested
spectrum below 6GHz means non line of sight
solutions can’t keep up with demands. Likewise
the inflexibility of point-to-point becomes all
too apparent in the small cell era. The traditional
point-to-point approach requires precision
alignment simultaneously at both ends of the link
as well as cumbersome link licensing schemes.
Multipoint microwave solutions are not afflicted
by these limitations, and provide the high
capacity, rapid deployment and cost efficiency
needed to connect up the constantly evolving
landscape of small cell networks.
cbnl.com
VectaStar Metro Highlights

The ultimate in multipoint microwave Intelligent design

for small cell backhaul • Compact unobtrusive form factor designed
for discreet installation on street furniture;
VectaStar Metro brings high capacity from lampposts and traffic signage, to building
multipoint microwave backhaul down walls and roof tops
to street level in an compact form
factor optimised for deployment • High gain integrated antenna
with small cells.
• Zero indoor footprint
Designed for quick, discreet and easy
High performance
installation on street furniture, the
• High capacity - currently supporting 600Mb/s
platform provides sectors of backhaul and
per small cell site and up to 4.8Gb/s per hub
enterprise access coverage along urban
site
canyons connecting multiple small cells.
• Future proofed and guaranteed quality of service
Built using our market leading multipoint
compared to non line of sight technologies
microwave technology, VectaStar Metro
provides operators with a highly efficient • Low latency: sub 1ms round-trip
solution which can be cost effectively
and rapidly deployed to meet today’s • Supports all-IP backhaul
insatiable appetite for mobile broadband.
• Future proof Gigabit Ethernet interfaces

• Deploy additional enterprise access services

within a mobile backhaul sector, offering tiered
network capabilities and dedicated bandwidth to
selected sites

Outstanding efficiency
• Multipoint sector aggregation proven to
improve spectral efficiency by at least 40%
when compared to point-to-point**

Current frequencies supported

• 26, 27, 28GHz

Low total cost of ownership

• Independently proven to deliver savings of up to
54% over other forms of microwave backhaul
for small cell backhaul*

Fast time to market

• Quick to deploy - almost half the radios compared
to point-to-point

• Simple mounting bracket allows for rapid

installation and alignment by a single installer

• Rapid coverage

Industry proven
• Built upon our market leading VectaStar platform,
deployed by over 70 operators across 41
countries for 2G, 3G, LTE, Wi-Fi networks.

* Senza Fili (2011) Crucial economics for mobile data backhaul

** CBNL (2011) The Effect of System Architecture on
Net Spectral Efficiency for Fixed Services
How VectaStar
Metro works

VectaStar Metro consists of an access Independent small

point and remote terminal - both designed cell network
VectaStar Metro
with identical form factors. Access Point

Each deployment creates a sector of backhaul

coverage from a single access point to remote
terminals co-located at multiple small cells. Small cell
Through sharing bandwidth across all cell sites backhaul sector
in the sector, VectaStar Metro uses the backhaul
spectrum more efficiently and reduces costs.

As demand increases or new locations are

identified, more remote terminals can be
deployed by a single installer and immediately
backhauled without a re-visit to the access
point or need for additional spectrum.
This allows for rapid network expansion at
minimal costs and with no disruption to service
or revenues.

VectaStar Metro is compatible with the Mixed macro/small

VectaStar Gigabit macro backhaul platform. cell network
This provides a complete solution where the
macro and small cell layers can be mixed to
meet individual network requirements. VectaStar Gigabit
Small cell backhaul Access Point
sector

Rapid network
expansion at
minimal costs Macro backhaul
sector

VectaStar Hub

VectaStar Gigabit Remote Terminal

VectaStar Metro Remote Terminal

Mobile data devices

 Efficiency through
sector traffic aggregation

By aggregating traffic, VectaStar can improve

spectral efficiency by at least 40% when
compared to point-to-point, providing the
capacity for current needs and leaving
headroom for future growth.

By sharing bandwidth across all sites

in the sector, multipoint microwave allows
the ‘troughs’ of one cell site’s demands to
be filled by the ‘peaks’ of another. This
reduces the backhaul required, lowers costs
and provides capacity to roll out profitable
enterprise access services alongside mobile VectaStar Metro
backhaul. Size (mm): 307 (h) x 168 (248) (w) x 150 (d)

VectaStar’s traffic aggregation improves

spectral efficiency by at least 40%

Efficiency improved by at least 40%

Data

Data

Time Time

Cell site 3

Cell site 2

Cell site 1
 CBNL
Cambridge Broadband Networks
VectaStar: a complete
network solution
VectaStar Gigabit Access Point

Optional Radio Controller

for sector aggregation
The VectaStar portfolio offers operators
a carrier-class backhaul, enterprise VectaStar Metro
access and small cell network solution, Access Point
or any mixed configuration.

RC
Macro backhaul Enterprise access
VectaStar Hub sector sector

VectaStar Gigabit Remote Terminal

VectaStar Metro Remote Terminal

Mobile data devices

Small cell
backhaul sector

Managed services
VectaStar can be deployed within our managed
Planning Deployment Operation services portfolio. This is delivered directly by
our team of highly-skilled engineers and through
& Design & Support partnerships with the industry’s leading system
integrators. Though technical expertise, proven
methodology and local market knowledge,
we offer customers the reliability and guarantee
of complete network delivery and support.

Welcome to next generation thinking

Welcome to CBNL
Pioneering the development and deployment
of next generation microwave transmission
equipment since 2000, CBNL is the global
market leader in multipoint microwave backhaul
and access solutions. Our carrier-class VectaStar
platform serves over 70 communication providers
across 41 countries, including 7 of the top 10
world’s largest mobile operators.

+44 1223 703000

info@cbnl.com
cbnl.com

All information contained within this document

is subject to change without prior notice.
© Cambridge Broadband Networks
Part number: VSM-SC-02 ngmn alliance partner