A proposal for the harmonious growth of microwave radio in future telecommunications networks in Japan

The authors propose various applications for digital microwave radio which are intended to make the most of its inherent features. Application fields for digital microwave radio are classified into trunk transmission lines, trunk transmission nodes, and group unit areas. Various systems expected to be effective in meeting future user needs are discussed for each field, along with the technologies required. It is noted that one issue for future R&D programs concerning digital microwave radio is the need to provide systems in each area that can cope quickly and flexibly with traffic fluctuations related to time, location, volume, and quality. Rapid system construction offers numerous advantages stemming from the use of open space as the transmission medium and radio´s topology-free character. It is expected that these many advantages will ensure harmonious coexistence between digital microwave radio and optical fiber in the years ahead