scope:

General

For the purpose of the present document, multipoint radio systems may be defined as radio systems which interconnect a number of fixed stations (usually more than two). The topology of the systems may be Point-to-Multipoint (P-MP), or multipoint-to-Multipoint (MP-MP), alternatively known as "mesh". A variety of technologies for multiple access and duplex communication is used. The application of these systems is primarily, but not exclusively, to provide access to a variety of services employing a wide range of bit rates. This application is frequently referred to as Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). An alternative application of multipoint radio systems is to provide fixed communication links between stations in a network supporting a different service (such as mobile telephony). This application is frequently known as "infrastructure" or "backhaul". The main field of application of Multipoint (MP) systems using the Fixed Service (FS) is to provide both narrowband and wideband access to both residential and business subscribers to public and private networks (PSTN, Internet, PDN, etc.). By means of MP systems the network service area may cover scattered subscriber locations. The systems may be applied to build new access networks covering urban, suburban and rural areas. Multipoint systems may provide both access and infrastructure applications simultaneously.

Up to the publication of this multi-part deliverable, ETSI Digital Multipoint Radio System ENs have been specified in a relatively large number. There are separate equipment standards for ranges of radio frequencies and access technologies. Similarly, there are separate antenna standards for ranges of radio frequencies. Harmonized European Norm EN 301 753 (see bibliography) identified the essential requirements (in accordance with article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive [1]) by cross referencing the appropriate sections of the equipment and antenna standards. This multi-part deliverable replaces the current multipoint radio equipment and antenna standards for all frequencies up to 33,4 GHz and the Harmonized EN which defines the essential parameters for these multipoint radio systems. It thereby:

• Presents the characteristics, parameters and requirements for multipoint radio systems in a much more concise form, thus facilitating the distinction between parameters applicable to different Equipment Classifications.

• Removes the extensive cross-referencing in the previous Harmonized EN.

• Facilitates the maintenance of the standard with a far greater degree of uniformity than possible with the current disparate set of standards.

• Facilitates the evolution of the standard in line with the strategy set by the European Commission.

• Rectifies some historical discrepancies in similar requirements appearing in the various MP ENs to be superseded.

This multi-part deliverable is divided as described in clause 1.1.

For systems already covered by the previous EN 301 753 (see bibliography), in general only equal or technically equivalent or less demanding requirements have been used for this multi-part deliverable. Only in a few cases have additional requirements been set or slightly more stringent requirements been imposed, in order to have a more uniform and fair standardized framework across all MP technologies. In all cases, care has been taken that such variations will not affect any frequency planning assumptions for networks already deployed. Therefore, from a strictly technical point of view, in most cases it is expected that equipment already conforming to the previous versions of Harmonized EN 301 753 (see bibliography), would not need re-assessment of essential requirements according to this multi-part deliverable. The legal implications of the declaration of conformity and equipment labelling are, however, outside the scope of this multi-part deliverable. Cases, where additional conformance assessment is required, will be specifically mentioned, where appropriate, in EN 302 326-2 [6] and EN 302 326-3 [7].

In the case of equipment (as opposed to antennas) a specific type of equipment shall be identified by an Equipment Classification (EqC) coherent set, which will specify the principal attributers of the equipment insofar as is necessary to determine which aspects of this multi-part deliverable are applicable. The Equipment Classification is specified in annex A.

Annex G provides guidance to equipment suppliers on how to apply this multi-part deliverable.