Harris re-awakens with TRuepoint 5000

Though Harris Corp.'s microwave communications division has been a long-time player in the field of point-to-point broadband wireless equipment, the company might have disappeared from the competitive radar screen amid a surge in broadband wireless upstart vendors during the last few years.

However, the Raleigh, N.C.-based firm came to last month's CTIA Wireless 2005 trade show touting a new platform, as well as a growing list of carrier customers that are using it.

“We have a new chairman [former NCR Corp. president Howard Lance] who recognizes the value of making some noise,” said Michelle Pampin, global strategic planning director for Harris' microwave unit.

The TRuepoint 5000 may help. The company's next-generation microwave digital radio is designed for a wireless backhaul environment in which a broader array of applications are creating a need for more backhaul capacity and more reliable performance.

A software-programmable architecture in the TRuepoint 5000 enables seamless switching between PDH and SDH applications and delivers service from 4 Mb/s to 180 Mb/s at frequencies ranging from 6 GHz to 38 GHz, Pampin said.

“Carriers need an average of 12 T-1s per cell site to support backhaul of their existing applications. Also, most wireless carriers who are customers for leased-line backhaul services say it is their number two cost of operating,” Pampin said. “Microwave radio is a more affordable option.”

Sprint recently chose the TRuepoint 5000 to support its wireless backhaul needs in several markets over the next four years. The platform also is being deployed by at least three carriers overseas.

Service providers can manage TRuepoint deployments remotely with SNMP-based management, Pampin said. The platform is optimized to work seamlessly with Harris' NetBoss network management platform, as well as the recently introduced NetBoss EM element management system. NetBoss provides carriers, enterprises and public-safety organizations with a single point of control to effectively manage and maintain a full array of microwave, networking and broadcast products.