Periodic Reporting for period 2 - StreetHopper (Disruptive Free Space Optics solution for small cell backhaul)
Période du rapport: 2016-04-01 au 2017-04-30
The overall vision of the StreetHopper project is to commercialise and bring to market our disruptive compact low-cost Free Space Optics [FSO] data link. It is capable of providing excellent mobile network service and cost-effectively delivering very high data speeds and capacity – contributing to solving the industrial and societal problem of dramatically increased data traffic demand across the world. Our prototype was developed during the FP7 ConnectToo project (GA #315421), where the major outcome was our fully functional and validated FSO 1Gbps data link prototype (TRL7).
StreetHopper is an optical device that operates in free space e.g. between buildings – a Free Space Optical [FSO] device. It uses an eye safe, laser-based method for data transmission capitalising on line-of-sight [LOS], street-level configurations of single, discreet devices that are capable of providing full duplex (both send and receive) data rates of 1Gbps. The FSO networks enabled by our disruptive StreetHopper technology are perfect for providing rapid, efficient and secure backhaul of data from small mobile transmission cells (small cell backhaul) and thus for addressing a rapidly expanding market in mobile telecommunications.
During and after the ConnectToo project we have conducted a feasibility study, to help us define a commercialisation strategy. Initially our product was developed to address the global market of Fibre to the x [FTTx ] (‘last mile’ broadband internet connections). During the feasibility study, we identified a new and attractive FTTx market – namely the small cell backhaul - telecom infrastructure. This specific business opportunity represents a new and high growth market with expected “serious lift-off” by 2016 reaching a total market size of $7.76bn with CAGR of 107% . This business opportunity has an exceptional technological and strategic fit with our product compared to more mature FTTx market segments, like Fiber To The Home. Quoting a Sprint CTO Office representative: “It is not the last 200 meters up to the small cell that is the problem, it is the last 20 meters. From the last fibered point, across the road or sidewalk over to a light pole, or bus shelter”. Thus, we have made a strategic decision to focus our Commercialisation Plan [CP] on the new emerging FTTx segment, small cell backhaul, as our new primary market. Market maturation and rapid market uptake, form the primary focus in this project.
Commercialisation Plan: The aim of our StreetHopper project is to move our prototype to full commercialisation onto the US and subsequently EU markets. We will enter the US market first due to the fact that the small cell market is more mature there. Most major telecom carries in the US plan to see a significant spike in small cell deployments starting in 2015. The demand for small cells in the US has fast tracked discussions between PW and US telcos regarding the deployment of the StreetHopper for small cell backhaul, and we expect quick market uptake once the StreetHopper is commercialised. To increase our commercial success and impact, we have created a Strategic Business Plan [SBP]. Our SBP was developed during the ‘Phase I-type’ feasibility study (ConnectToo FP7 project) in cooperation with telecom companies as a detailed roadmap, describing all the necessary activities we needed to undertake to ensure a successful market introduction. Each activity was underpinned by a detailed allocation of resources, interim milestones and deadlines to ensure the project progresses according to plan. Now we seek to develop our Commercialisation Plan [CP], which will form an important part of the final Business Innovation Plan [BIP], to be created in this Phase II project. As the envisaged Phase II project builds upon a validated prototype, the majority of our efforts are focused on Commercialisation Innovation Activities [CIAs]. Market maturation activities are key to allow for rapid market entry within global Mobile Network Operators [MNOs].
StreetHopper is an optical device that operates in free space e.g. between buildings – a Free Space Optical [FSO] device. It uses an eye safe, laser-based method for data transmission capitalising on line-of-sight [LOS], street-level configurations of single, discreet devices that are capable of providing full duplex (both send and receive) data rates of 1Gbps. The FSO networks enabled by our disruptive StreetHopper technology are perfect for providing rapid, efficient and secure backhaul of data from small mobile transmission cells (small cell backhaul) and thus for addressing a rapidly expanding market in mobile telecommunications.
During and after the ConnectToo project we have conducted a feasibility study, to help us define a commercialisation strategy. Initially our product was developed to address the global market of Fibre to the x [FTTx ] (‘last mile’ broadband internet connections). During the feasibility study, we identified a new and attractive FTTx market – namely the small cell backhaul - telecom infrastructure. This specific business opportunity represents a new and high growth market with expected “serious lift-off” by 2016 reaching a total market size of $7.76bn with CAGR of 107% . This business opportunity has an exceptional technological and strategic fit with our product compared to more mature FTTx market segments, like Fiber To The Home. Quoting a Sprint CTO Office representative: “It is not the last 200 meters up to the small cell that is the problem, it is the last 20 meters. From the last fibered point, across the road or sidewalk over to a light pole, or bus shelter”. Thus, we have made a strategic decision to focus our Commercialisation Plan [CP] on the new emerging FTTx segment, small cell backhaul, as our new primary market. Market maturation and rapid market uptake, form the primary focus in this project.
Commercialisation Plan: The aim of our StreetHopper project is to move our prototype to full commercialisation onto the US and subsequently EU markets. We will enter the US market first due to the fact that the small cell market is more mature there. Most major telecom carries in the US plan to see a significant spike in small cell deployments starting in 2015. The demand for small cells in the US has fast tracked discussions between PW and US telcos regarding the deployment of the StreetHopper for small cell backhaul, and we expect quick market uptake once the StreetHopper is commercialised. To increase our commercial success and impact, we have created a Strategic Business Plan [SBP]. Our SBP was developed during the ‘Phase I-type’ feasibility study (ConnectToo FP7 project) in cooperation with telecom companies as a detailed roadmap, describing all the necessary activities we needed to undertake to ensure a successful market introduction. Each activity was underpinned by a detailed allocation of resources, interim milestones and deadlines to ensure the project progresses according to plan. Now we seek to develop our Commercialisation Plan [CP], which will form an important part of the final Business Innovation Plan [BIP], to be created in this Phase II project. As the envisaged Phase II project builds upon a validated prototype, the majority of our efforts are focused on Commercialisation Innovation Activities [CIAs]. Market maturation activities are key to allow for rapid market entry within global Mobile Network Operators [MNOs].
D1.1 Report on industrial design and functionality specifications - Delivery Date: Month 3
D1.2 Component and sub-modules cost engineering specifications - Delivery Date: Month 3
D2.1 Report on piloting infrastructure and procedures- Delivery Date: Month 6
D3.1 Report on stakeholder analysis - Delivery Date: Month 6
D4.1 Updated and revised market report – Draft - Delivery Date: Month 6
D6.4 Report on innovation management and strategy - Interim - Delivery Date: Month 6
D6.2 First iteration NPA for inclusion in the BIP and in the first Interim Project Report - Delivery Date: Month 6
D1.3 Report on internal prototype test and validation - Delivery Date: Month 7
D2.2 Report on pre-piloting - Delivery Date: Month 9
D6.1 Periodic Project Reports – Interim - Delivery Date: Month 9
D3.2 Report on upstream and downstream supply chain analyses - Delivery Date: Month 12
D4.1 Updated and revised market report – Interim - Delivery Date: Month 12
D5.1 Report on BIP and associated CP – Interim - Delivery Date: Month 12
D6.4 Report on innovation management and strategy – Interim - Delivery Date: Month 12
D3.3 Report on final supply chains and revenue sharing models - Delivery Date: Month 14
D6.3 Second iteration NPA for inclusion in the BIP and in the Final Project Report - Delivery Date: Month 15
To Date, all deliverables from month 9 and prior have been completed and submitted to the deliverables part of the H2020 project portal. These deliverables include the following:
D1.1 Report on industrial design and functionality specifications - Delivery Date: Month 3
D1.2 Component and sub-modules cost engineering specifications - Delivery Date: Month 3
D2.1 Report on piloting infrastructure and procedures- Delivery Date: Month 6
D3.1 Report on stakeholder analysis - Delivery Date: Month 6
D4.1 Updated and revised market report – Draft - Delivery Date: Month 6
D6.4 Report on innovation management and strategy - Interim - Delivery Date: Month 6
D6.2 First iteration NPA for inclusion in the BIP and in the first Interim Project Report - Delivery Date: Month 6
D1.3 Report on internal prototype test and validation - Delivery Date: Month 7
D2.2 Report on pre-piloting - Delivery Date: Month 9
Polewall and the StreetHopper project are currently progressing as planned in the project application.
D1.2 Component and sub-modules cost engineering specifications - Delivery Date: Month 3
D2.1 Report on piloting infrastructure and procedures- Delivery Date: Month 6
D3.1 Report on stakeholder analysis - Delivery Date: Month 6
D4.1 Updated and revised market report – Draft - Delivery Date: Month 6
D6.4 Report on innovation management and strategy - Interim - Delivery Date: Month 6
D6.2 First iteration NPA for inclusion in the BIP and in the first Interim Project Report - Delivery Date: Month 6
D1.3 Report on internal prototype test and validation - Delivery Date: Month 7
D2.2 Report on pre-piloting - Delivery Date: Month 9
D6.1 Periodic Project Reports – Interim - Delivery Date: Month 9
D3.2 Report on upstream and downstream supply chain analyses - Delivery Date: Month 12
D4.1 Updated and revised market report – Interim - Delivery Date: Month 12
D5.1 Report on BIP and associated CP – Interim - Delivery Date: Month 12
D6.4 Report on innovation management and strategy – Interim - Delivery Date: Month 12
D3.3 Report on final supply chains and revenue sharing models - Delivery Date: Month 14
D6.3 Second iteration NPA for inclusion in the BIP and in the Final Project Report - Delivery Date: Month 15
To Date, all deliverables from month 9 and prior have been completed and submitted to the deliverables part of the H2020 project portal. These deliverables include the following:
D1.1 Report on industrial design and functionality specifications - Delivery Date: Month 3
D1.2 Component and sub-modules cost engineering specifications - Delivery Date: Month 3
D2.1 Report on piloting infrastructure and procedures- Delivery Date: Month 6
D3.1 Report on stakeholder analysis - Delivery Date: Month 6
D4.1 Updated and revised market report – Draft - Delivery Date: Month 6
D6.4 Report on innovation management and strategy - Interim - Delivery Date: Month 6
D6.2 First iteration NPA for inclusion in the BIP and in the first Interim Project Report - Delivery Date: Month 6
D1.3 Report on internal prototype test and validation - Delivery Date: Month 7
D2.2 Report on pre-piloting - Delivery Date: Month 9
Polewall and the StreetHopper project are currently progressing as planned in the project application.
Polewall is working on progress beyond the state of the art with our development of higher bandwidth versions of the StreetHopper. We are aware of the ever growing data needs of both end users and the MNOs, in order to stay ahead of their needs we have decided to begin development of a higher bandwidth solution. The increases in data demand will push RF to its theoretical limits, with expectations of 10Gbps backhaul being a requirement in the next 5 yrs and upto 40 Gbps backhaul expected to be needed in the next 10 yrs.
Polewall's continuous development into higher speed backhaul is expected to open doors into new industries and applications, such as backhaul at Airports and as a means to connect Airplanes to gates.
Polewall will also continue to work on developing a smaller optical assembly which will allow us to miniaturize our product significantly. Once we can achieve significant miniaturization we are expected to be able to utilize the StreetHopper technology for Car-to-Car connectivity. This will represent a very large market opportunity with large amounts of units needed and high data transmission.
Polewall's continuous development into higher speed backhaul is expected to open doors into new industries and applications, such as backhaul at Airports and as a means to connect Airplanes to gates.
Polewall will also continue to work on developing a smaller optical assembly which will allow us to miniaturize our product significantly. Once we can achieve significant miniaturization we are expected to be able to utilize the StreetHopper technology for Car-to-Car connectivity. This will represent a very large market opportunity with large amounts of units needed and high data transmission.