Proposal for an inexpensive
point-to-point wireless link
by Ermanno Pietrosemoli,
Marco Zennaro and Carlo Fonda
the Abdus Salam International
Centre for Theoretical Physics - ICTP
Universidad de Los Andes - ULA
http://wireless.ictp.it
the proposal
point-to-point wireless link
inexpensive (<200 $ per link)
medium distance (1 to 50 Km)
“broadband” TCP/IP (11 Mbps)
open (all platforms, USB ports)
standard compliant (802.11b)
easy installation/relocation
some advantages
USB wireless adapters
are cheap (~50$ each)
license fees / permissions
aren’t required (ISM band)
expensive and / or complex
measurements aren’t needed
sat TV dishes are cheap and
easy to find everywhere
what is needed?
Package Contents
USB wireless adapters:
i.e. D-Link DWL-122 Contents of Package:
! D-Link Air DWL-122
2.4 GHz Wireless USB Adapter
parabolic dishes (for Sat TV) ! Manual on CD-ROM
! Quick Installation Guide
! USB Extension Cable
USB cables (up to 15 meters)
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
System Requirements:
! A computer or laptop with an available USB port
! Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
desktop / laptop computers ! Mac OSX (v10.2x or later)
! At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor
! Properly installed and working USB Controller
Linux / Windows / Mac OSX 3
Package Contents
Contents of Package:
! D-Link Air DWL-122
2.4 GHz Wireless USB Adapter
! Manual on CD-ROM
! Quick Installation Guide
! USB Extension Cable
the wireless adapter
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
System Requirements:
! A computer or laptop with an available USB port
! Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE
! Mac OSX (v10.2x or later)
! At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor
! Properly installed and working USB Controller
3
price/availability
D-Link DWL-122 (11Mbps):
price: approx. 50$ (40€)
sold also in Internet (e-shops) D-Link DWL-122
11Mbps Wireless USB Adapter
Other models/brands:
3Com makes a 802.11g
wireless adapter (54 Mbps)
for around 100$ (80€)
3Com 3CRWE254G72 OfficeConnect
54Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter
RF characteristics
Transmitter Output Power:
Typical 16dBm, 40mW
Receiver Sensitivity:
Typical -81dBm for 11Mbps
@ 8% PER (Packet Error Rate)
Typical -86dBm for 2Mbps
@ 8% PER (Packet Error Rate)
the parabolic dish
dish characteristics
any Sat-TV parabolic dish
(or even a parabolic grid) is
suitable for our purposes
the gain is proportional to
the size (diameter) of the dish
position of the feeder:
center feed
offset feed
Cassegrain feed
!"#$""%&'%("&
!6#2%7& B$%>2*("'& /$.$*$"6$& B$%>2*("'&
%"#$""% $C2(,?$"# %"#$""% $C2(,?$"#
)&8&)+9$*& 1&8&)+9$*& )+ 8&)+9$*& 1D 8&)+9$*&
:$7(;$*$:&#+& *$6$(;$: :$7(;$*$:&#+& *$6$(;$:&
#<$&%6#2%7& =#<$&>%?$&("& #<$&*$.$*$"6$& =#<$&>%?$&("&
%"#$""% @+#<&>#$,>A %"#$""% @+#<&>#$,>A
1#$,&H
1#$,&G !"#$""%&'%(")&' (*&'+*&'
!"#$""%&E%("&8&=)F)+A 181D
,
: '( ;<).#,./(=&-.>$,&&'%("?&@ #A$.,$#(=%B&
)*+,$*#-&+.&/0&1#*23%4 55
=."=$/#*&#A$&,$1$,$"=$&%"#$""%&()&().#,./(=
: '+ C #A$&,$1$,$"=$&%"#$""%&()&%&A%B1C>%D$&
+(/.B$&
antenna gain -,./$,#0&.1&23&4#,56%7 89
In the logarithmic polar coordinate system the concentric grid lines
3&$A#J<#$%'&4;&&#%$6*#<'+;&5:@$).**+A')(@$+*$,+4;&')($.)-#)).$7#.8&$')4*#.&#&$-"#$
.)-#)).R&$(.')$O8#.&;*#%$')$%H'P9$$3)$.)-#)).R&$7#.8A'%-"$8#.)&$S;&-$A".-$'-$&+;)%&$
spaced periodically according to the logarithm of the voltage in the sig
5'=#T$-"#$UA'%-"V$+,$-"#$>N$&'().5$7#.8$-".-$-"#$.)-#)).$-*.)&8'-&9$$N'(;*#$Q9WQ$'55;&-*.-#&$
Different values may be used for the logarithmic constant of periodi
-"#$-#*8$7#.8A'%-"9$
$
and this choice
56.+78*"9!"* 2'$341.&#!05!$,!$,&',,$ * will have an effect on the appearance of the plo
$
patterns. Generally the 0 dB reference for the outer edge of the cha
2'$341.&#
used. 61('/&10,$7
With this type of grid, lobes that are 30 or 40 dB below the m
:'(&1/$7
+,&',,$
lobe are still distinguishable. The spacing between points at 0 dB and
dB is greater than the spacing between -20 dB and -23 dB, whic
greater than the spacing between -50 dB and -53 dB. The spacing
80(190,&$7
2'$341.&#
correspond to the relative significance of such changes in ante
performance.
$
the half power beamwidth
is the angle between the
two points at –3dB in the
antenna radiation pattern
antenna beamwidth
gain and beamwidth
where D is the dish diameter and c is the depth of t
center.
The size of the dish of amost
is the parabolic dish
important factor since
maximum gain that can be achieved at the given fr
resulting beamwidth. The gain and beamwidth obtained a
examples: ( " # D)
2
circular dish for Sat-TV G= 2
#n
$
diameter = 50 cm, n = 75%
gain 118 = 20,7 dB 70 $
BW =
beamwidth = 17,5 deg D
!
large circular grid G : antenna gain
diameter = 1 m,where
n =D60%is the dish diameter and n is the
BW : beamwidth efficiency
(deg)
D : diameter of the dish
gain 380 = determined
25,8 dB mainly by the ! λ : wavelengthof illumination o
effectiveness
beamwidth =feed,
8,7but
degalso by other factors.n :Each time(50
efficiency thetodiameter
80%) of
the gain is four times, or 6 dB, greater. If both stations
their dishes, signal strength can be increased of 12 dB,
one more example:
gain and BW of our dish
the dish used for the demo:
ellipsoidal dish for Sat-TV
with offside feed (cost: 20$)
major diameter = 70 cm
minor diameter = 56 cm
average diameter = 63 cm
efficiency n = 60%
gain 150 = 21,7 dB
beamwidth = 13,9 deg
both mounting structure and
feeder support are provided
where is the focus?
the focal length f (distance
of the focus from the dish) is
given by this expression:
f = D2 / (16 x c)
where
D : diameter of the dish (cm)
c : depth of the parabola at
its center (circular dish)
offset feed dishes: they should
came with support for feeder
offset feed
parabolic dish
mounting support for feeder
Planning a wireless link
(easy) link design
software is available (“Radio
Mobile” is good and free)
you may need a digital map of
the area (free, from Internet)
you may also do all the basic
calculations “by hand”
a network planning is also
required, before the radiolinks
planning (power/frequencies)
G.!"$2.3.E8#$8.1"!=$2.3(,8$:H6$?,830$*,88#4$3.7/8+$I:H6JC$.3$4#%.)#4$,3$!"#$,//,&#)!8+$
3!&,.1"!$8.)#$%&07$!"#$0EK#*!$.)$3.1"!$?!"#$!&,)37.!!#&C$!0$!"#$0E3#&2#&L3$#+#$?!"#$&#*#.2#&C5$$
F"#$:H6$.3$,)$!""!#$%&'($3!&,.1"!$8.)#$E#*,(3#$8.1"!$-,2#3$,&#$3(EK#*!$!0$*",)1#3$.)$
4.&#*!.0)$4(#$!0$&#%&,*!.0)=$4.%%&,*!.0)=$,)4$&#%8#*!.0)$.)$!"#$3,7#$-,+$,3$M>$%&#'(#)*.#35$$
>.1(&#$N5OP$.88(3!&,!#3$:H65$$M>$-0&Q3$2#&+$7(*"$!"#$3,7#$-,+$,3$2.3.E8#$8.1"!$-.!".)$
-.#33$:;<$%&#'(#)*.#3$-.!"$0)#$7,K0&$#R*#/!.0)S$$M>$:H6$*,)$,830$E#$,%%#*!#4$E+$
E80*Q,1#$0%$!"#$>)#8$D0)#5$$$
$
123456#!789# 34.&(56(748"%#
!
Fresnel Zone
34.&(56(74%&
$
$
T7,1.)#$!",!$+0($,&#$800Q.)1$!"&0(1"$,$!-09%00!$80)1$/.#*#$0%$/./#5$$T7,1.)#$%(&!"#&$!",!$
,)$0E3!&(*!.0)$-#&#$E80*Q.)1$/,&!$0%$!"#$.)3.4#$0%$!"#$/./#5$$HE2.0(38+=$!".3$0E3!&(*!.0)$
-0(84$E80*Q$+0(&$2.#-$0%$!"#$0EK#*!3$,!$!"#$0!"#&$#)4$0%$!"#$/./#5$$F".3$3.7/8#$.88(3!&,!.0)$
3"0-3$"0-$M>$-0&Q3$-"#)$0EK#*!3$E80*Q$!"#$>)#8$D0)#=$#R*#/!$!",!=$-.!"$!"#$/./#$
3*#),&.0=$+0($*,)$3!.88$3##$!"#$0!"#&$#)4$!0$307#$4#1&##5$$G.!"$M>=$!",!$3,7#$8.7.!#4$
,E.8.!+$!0$3##$!&,)38,!#3$.)!0$,$E&0Q#)$0&$*0&&(/!#4$*0))#*!.0)5$$M>$:H6$.3$.7/0&!,)!$
E#*,(3#$M>$40#3)L!$E#",2#$.)$#R,*!8+$!"#$3,7#$7,))#&$,3$2.3.E8#$8.1"!5$
$
1:';&'<#=(&'#
$
;$*0)3.4#&,!.0)$-"#)$/8,)).)1$0&$!&0(E8#3"00!.)1$,)$M>$8.)Q$.3$!"#$>)#8$D0)#5$$F"#$
Planning-1: line-of-sight
>)#8$D0)#$0**(/.#3$,$3#&.#3$0%$*0)*#)!&.*$#88./30.493",/#4$,&#,3$,&0()4$!"#$:H6$/,!"=$
,3$*,)$E#$3##)$.)$>.1(&#$N5OO5$$F"#$>)#8$D0)#$.3$.7/0&!,)!$!0$!"#$.)!#1&.!+$0%$!"#$M>$
8.)Q$E#*,(3#$.!$4#%.)#3$,)$,&#,$,&0()4$!"#$:H6$!",!$*,)$.)!&04(*#$M>$3.1),8$.)!#&%#&#)*#$
.%$E80*Q#45$$HEK#*!3$.)$!"#$>)#8$D0)#$3(*"$,3$!&##3=$".88!0/3=$,)4$E(.84.)13$*,)$4.%%&,*!$
0&$&#%8#*!$!"#$7,.)$3.1),8$,-,+$%&07$!"#$&#*#.2#&=$*",)1.)1$!"#$M>$:H65$$F"#3#$3,7#$
0EK#*!3$*,)$,E30&E$0&$3*,!!#&$!"#$7,.)$M>$3.1),8=$*,(3.)1$4#1&,4,!.0)$0&$*07/8#!#$3.1),8$
80335$$$
$
! ! "#$%&'(!)!*!+,!,-./$0'.&$12!!!!"#
$%&'()#!*++# ,('2.'1!34.'#
!
,('2.'1!34.'
!
!
!
"#$!%&'()*!+,!-#$!.%$*/$0!1+/$!&-!(-*!2('$*-!3+(/-!4&/!5$!4&04)0&-$'!56!-#$!,+00+2(/7!
,+%8)0&9!
!
# " 5676 ! "
5! !
!
2#$%$!!!(*!-#$!0(/:!'(*-&/4$!(/!8(0$*9!"!(*!-#$!,%$;)$/46!(/!<=>9!&/'!-#$!&/*2$%9!#9!(*!(/!
,$$-?!!.+%!$@&830$9!*)33+*$!-#$%$!(*!&!A?BCCC!<=>!0(/:!D!8(0$*!EF?GD!:8H!(/!0$/7-#?!!"#$!
%$*)0-(/7!.%$*/$0!1+/$!2+)0'!#&I$!&!%&'()*!+,!GJ?AD!,$$-!EK?DA!8$-$%*H?!
!
try to avoid any obstacle!
,('2.'1!34.'!8$18-1$&94.2!$('!.4&!%$(&!4:!&#'!";<=!'>$07!!?#'!:4(0-1$!92!%(4@9/'/!&4!
A4-!:4(!A4-(!$/09.92&($&9@'!&$2B27!
!
#
,-./012/345.#
!
L+/*('$%(/7!-#$!(83+%-&/4$!+,!.%$*/$0!1+/$!40$&%&/4$9!(-!(*!&0*+!(83+%-&/-!-+!;)&/-(,6!-#$!
measuring distances with GPS
it works everywhere!
Planning-2: site survey
antenna mounting issues
!"#$% "&$% '()*+,-$
!" !#
$% &%
'"
'#
2"
(#))*+,-.)*/011
2#
345
65
!"#$"%& '()*+,-).,/( &0
Planning-3: power budget
budgeting the power
for our “demo” radiolink
free space path loss
TX power = 16 dBm
Lfsp = 32,4 +
RX sensitivity =
20 Log (f) +
20 Log (d)
–81 dBm to get 11 Mbps
–86 dBm to get 2 Mbps where:
loss Lfsp is expressed in dB,
cable losses = 0 (zero!!!) frequency f in MHz
and distance d in km
antenna gain = 21,7 dBi
Q.: how far can we go?
Prx = Ptx + Gtx –Ltx + Grx –Ltx – Lfsp
Prx = 16dBm + 21,7dB + 21,7dB –Lfsp
Prx = 59,4dB –Lfsp
it should be Prx > Srx to get the link
59,4dBm –Lfsp > –81dBm to get 11 Mbps
that means an Lfsp < 140,4dBm
59,4dBm –Lfsp > –86dBm to get 2 Mbps
that means an Lfsp < 145,4dBm
the solution
f = 2440MHz
Lfsp= 32,4dB + 20Log(f) + 20Log(dkm)
Lfsp= 32,4dB + 67,7dB + 20 Log(dkm)
Log(dkm) = (Lfsp–100,1dB )/20
⇛ to get 11 Mbps it should be:
Log(dkm) < (140,4dB–100,1dB )/20
Log(dkm) < 2,015 that means d < 103km
⇛ to get 2 Mbps it should be:
Log(dkm) < (145,4dB–100,1dB )/20
Log(dkm) < 2,265 that means d < 184km
so far we go ???
let assume a factor of 25% for:
1. lower feeder efficiency
2. feeder-dish mismatching
3. less-than-perfect alignment
⇛ to get 11 Mbps, the maximum distance is:
d < 25km
⇛ to get 2 Mbps, the maximum distance is:
d < 45km
more realistic numbers
things to check!
-./$*01&2'*3&#'*$&*/1
check the polarization!
check the USB cable!
is the wireless adapter
weatherproof ? Seal it!
are the cables and connectors
weatherproof ? Seal them!
check the feeder support and
the dish mounting!
after an ice-storm
!"#$%&'#(&)"
!"#$%&'#(&)"*+,-%-
Thank you!
