Facebook's Terragraph (TG) is the unlicensed 60 GHz millimeter wave technology they created to eliminate the digital divide by providing high speed internet to the billion+ people still relying on outdated last mile infrastructure. As such, Terragraph was designed to deliver fiber-like speeds, but also to be quickly deployable and cost-effective. This article takes a closer look at this what this exciting technology is all about.
"Think of Terragraph as...specifications and software that define a technology, which allows a fleet of radio nodes which operate in the 60 GHz spectrum to form a mesh distribution network which can deliver fiber-like speeds, but at a fraction of the cost of fiber, and also at a much faster deployment speed."
David Botha, Strategic Partnerships, Facebook Connectivity
Defining What Terragraph Technology Is
So what exactly is Terragraph? In a webinar hosted by Cambium Networks on 60 GHz and Terragraph, David Botha from the Facebook Connectivity group was invited to explain what Terragraph technology is, and how it will be utilized in the wireless industry. Here Botha clarifies that, "Terragraph is a project that comes out of the Facebook Connectivity group...that has a mission to bring more people online to a faster internet."
He goes on to clarify that Terragraph is, "specifications and software that define a technology, which allows a fleet of radio nodes which operate in the 60 GHz spectrum to form a mesh distribution network which can deliver fiber-like speeds, but at a fraction of the cost of fiber, and also at a much faster deployment speed."
TG Applications
In addition to urban and suburban last mile Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), TG technology can be used fro a wide variety of applications. TG devices can be mounted on rooftops, poles, and other existing infrastructure to create multi-gigabit line-of-sight connectivity for:
- 5G Small Cell
- Build-to-Building
- Campus Connectivity
- Fiber Extension
- MicroPoP
- Mobile backhaul
- MDUs
- Outdoor WiFi
- Smart City
- Video Surveillance / CCTV
Terragraph Performance
As referenced above, Terragraph is an integral part of the Facebook's Connectivity initiative. Their site explains that by operating in the unlicensed 60 GHz band, Terragraph's peak bi-directional aggregate data rate is 3.6 Gbps at up to 150m. The per user downlink data throughput is shown as 1 Gbps, with latency sub 1ms per hop.
Various real world Service Provider TG uses cases can be found on the website above, as well as in the Cambium webinar mentioned towards the beginning of this article.
Facebook's Role in Terragraph's Success
First and foremost, Facebook invests the resources into the R&D behind the Terragraph technology. They also license it free of charge to partners (chipset vendors, manufacturers, and service providers) to commercialize solutions to bring them to market. In addition, Facebook provides spectrum advocacy, ensures product availability, and offers TG network planning and management tools for Service Providers for easy adoption.
Botha, quoted above, also noted that much of what's been defined in Facebook Terragraph technology has been contributed towards the 802.11ay standard.
Current TG Radio Manufacturers
This is an exciting time to watch the development of TG products as they roll out to market! Manufacturer partners currently listed on the Facebook Terragraph website include the following:
Have Questions about Terragraph Solutions?
DoubleRadius works with all of the manufactures listed above, and our team is standing by to help answer all of your TG questions. If your team is considering TG deployment, call DoubleRadius today so we can point you in the right direction!
For More Info: Call 866-891-3602
