10 white-hot technologies: a survival guide to business network planning

Telecommunications Americas, April, 2005 by Sean Buckley, Bob Wallace

Coons added: "The first event was taking something specific, which was the Martini Draft, and generalizing that to handle a bunch of different protocols. I kind of look at Dry Martini as taking PWE3, which was specified for running over IP/MPLS networks, and generalizing it so it can run over any sub-IP network. From that standpoint, I always applaud whenever technologists take something more specific and generalize it to make it much more useful."

6 OFDM: Optimizing Wireless Networks

When it comes to hot technologies, the most appropriate question might be: What doesn't OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) do? It doesn't turn hamburgers into steakburgers, but for wireless players, it does most everything else when it comes to optimizing network infrastructure.

In simple terms, OFDM is an increasingly popular method for boosting the volume of traffic that can be carried over a wireless network. It also addresses multipath problems by breaking carriers into subcarriers.

OFDM is also at the core of wireless LAN technology, 802.11a--which boasts a maximum data throughput of 54 Mbps. It's used in ADSL when supported over copper wiring--so it's clear why this critical technology is of such importance to all segments of the wireless industry, network operators, equipment vendors and enterprise users. Nonetheless, the technology also has its own association, the OFDM Forum, that's working hard toward providing a single standard for high-speed wireless communications.

Major network operator Nextel has trialed OFDM using Flarion's Flash-OFDM wireless broadband technology in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C.-area and has since expanded the effort and begun accepting paying customers. Ongoing efforts like this should help drive deployment and sustain an upturn in wireless and mobile network infrastructure spending. In a further testament to its importance, wireless kingpin Qualcomm has also embraced the technology.

"You can't ignore OFDM or think it's too far in the future and not pay attention to it," claimed Peter Jarich, senior analyst for wireless infrastructure at Current Analysis. "Even though wireless operators have their hands full for the next few years implementing EVDO and HSPDA, they must pay attention to OFDM in terms of tracking the different flavors, vendor implementations and number of subcarriers supported, so they can ensure that it fits their future technology needs and strategy."

Though Nextel is credited for advancing the cause of OFDM through its work with Flarion, it's important to note that this vendor's take on the technology is one of many. "A few years ago, 802.11 and 802.16 products were much too expensive, but this technology has had a hand in driving prices down and thus making it more accessible," Jarich explained. "When you consider what's next for wireless, it's a given that OFDM will be a key part of it, whether it's Super 3G or much more."

In their planning efforts, wireless operators need to at least be aware of OFDM to determine if the technology is cost effective, meets their needs and is in line with where their networks are headed. Two pieces of advice will be of particular use to operators, Jarich stressed. Don't view OFDM as a panacea and don't focus just on what it brings to the table at the bottom layer, as was done with CDMA vs. TDMA.