BASIC CRITERIA FOR MICROWAVE
COMMUNICATION
Rev. R2C Page 1 Microwave Solutions
Agenda
• Fading free conditions
• Free space loss
• Fading margin
• Microwave propagation
• Fresnel zone
• Attenuation due to obstacle
• Fading conditions
• Attenuation due to rain and gases
• Multipath propagation
• Repeaters
• Interfering signals
Rev. R2C Page 2 Microwave Solutions
Free Space (Basic Transmission) Loss
GTX GRX
P = TX Power
G = Antenna Gain
Power
Level A0 = Free Space Loss
M = Fading Margin
PTX
A0
PRX
Receiver Threshold
Distance
Rev. R2C Page 3 Microwave Solutions
Free Space (Basic Transmission) Loss
• The performance of the system is effected by
the path conditions
• The fading margin is designed into the system
so that it will meet network outage objectives
during fading conditions
Rev. R2C Page 4 Microwave Solutions
Free Space (Basic Transmission) Loss
d
Free Space Loss
A 0 = 92.4 + 20 log d + 20 log f
Where d = distance in km
f = frequency in GHz
(refer to isotropic antennas)
Rev. R2C Page 5 Microwave Solutions
Microwave Propagation
Refracted
Direct
Reflected
Rev. R2C Page 6 Microwave Solutions
Microwave Propagation
Dif
fr act
ed
Rev. R2C Page 7 Microwave Solutions
Microwave Propagation
• Due to refraction in the atmosphere the radio beam
is bent, normally slightly downwards
• The bending effect is described by the k-factor
• k = 4/3 corresponds to the “standard” atmosphere
Rev. R2C Page 8 Microwave Solutions
Microwave Propagation
k>1
k=1
k<1
Rev. R2C Page 9 Microwave Solutions
Microwave Propagation
Radio optical line of sight
Geometrical line of sight
Distance 50 km
Rev. R2C Page 10 Microwave Solutions
Radio Wave Propagation
Ground Clearance - True Earth Radius
k=
4/3
1
2/3
Ground clearance
True earth radius (r)
Ground clearance
2/3
1
4/3
k=
Equivalent earth radius (r·k)
Rev. R2C Page 11 Microwave Solutions
Microwave Propagation
k = 2/3
k = 4/3
Distance 50 km
Rev. R2C Page 12 Microwave Solutions
The Fresnel Zone
Definition
The signal power is distributed in the
space surrounding the direct line of sight
Line of sight
1st zone
Rev. R2C Page 13 Microwave Solutions
The Fresnel Zone
Definition
d1 d2
d1 + d2 - d = /2
Rev. R2C Page 14 Microwave Solutions
The Fresnel Zone
Definition
Direct signal
1st zone
Reflected signal
/2 180
Total received signal
180
Rev. R2C Page 15 Microwave Solutions
The Fresnel Zone
Definition
The signal power is distributed in the
space surrounding the direct line of sight
Line of sight
1st zone
+
2nd zone
-
Rev. R2C Page 16 Microwave Solutions
The Fresnel Zone
Definition
Direct signal
2nd zone
1st zone
Reflected signal
180
Total received signal
180
Rev. R2C Page 17 Microwave Solutions
The Fresnel Zone
Definition
The signal power is distributed in the
space surrounding the direct line of sight
Line of sight
1st zone
+
2nd zone
-
3rd zone
+
Rev. R2C Page 18 Microwave Solutions
Radio Wave Propagation
Design Objective
1st Fresnel zone
k = 4/3
Distance 50 km
The 1st Fresnel shall be free from obstacles when k = 4/3
On paths over water surfaces or desert areas, it is
recommended to have the 1st Fresnel zone free from
obstacles when k = 1
(See also ITU-R Rec.P.530)
Rev. R2C Page 19 Microwave Solutions
The Fresnel Zone
Radius
rF
d3 d4
rF in meter
d3 d4
x
rF = 17.3 x d, d3, d4 in km
fxd f in GHz
Rev. R2C Page 20 Microwave Solutions
Attenuation due to Obstacles
Dif
fr act
ed
Rev. R2C Page 21 Microwave Solutions
Agenda
• Fading free conditions
• Free space loss
• Fading margin
• Microwave propagation
• Fresnel zone
• Attenuation due to obstacles
• Fading conditions
• Attenuation due to rain and gases
• Multipath propagation
• Repeaters
• Interfering signals
Rev. R2C Page 22 Microwave Solutions
Attenuation due to Rain
50 150
Tropical
37 dB/km 100
Downpour
50
30 Heavy
10 20 Rain
Rain Absorption Coefficient (dB/km)
10
5.9 dB/km
Instantaneous Rain Intensity (mm/h)
4 Medium
2.4 dB/km Heavy
2
Rain
1 1
0.4 Light
Rain
Drizzle
0.1
0.01
5 7 GHz 10 20 38 GHz 50 100
Radio frequency (GHz)
Rev. R2C Page 23 Microwave Solutions
Attenuation due to Rain
Rain drops real shape:
V
H
Rev. R2C Page 24 Microwave Solutions
Attenuation due to Gases
1000
100
dB / km
H2O H2O
O2
10
O2
Attenuation Coefficient
1
25 g/m3
15 C
H2O H2O 7,5 g/m3
1013 hPa
0,1
0,01
10 50 100 500 1000
Radio Frequency GHz
Rev. R2C Page 25 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Refraction due to atmospheric conditions
Reflections
- from atmospheric layers
- from ground
- from buildings
Rev. R2C Page 26 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Due to Atmospheric Layers
Rev. R2C Page 27 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Due to Atmospheric Layers
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Multipath Propagation
Flat fading
• The loss is uniform across the
frequency spectrum
Selective fading
• The loss varies across the
frequency spectrum
Rev. R2C Page 29 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Frequency Spectrum
Normal Flat Selective
power level (dBm)
Received
Frequency (MHz)
Rev. R2C Page 30 Microwave Solutions
Fading Mechanism
Multipath Propagation
“Up Fading”
Recording of typical multipath fading
Rx level during
fading free time
Threshold level
(-30dB level)
1h
Bit error interruption of communication
(rapid fading)
Rev. R2C Page 31 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Reflections
Rev. R2C Page 32 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Reflections
Rev. R2C Page 33 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Reflections
Rev. R2C Page 34 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Reflections
Rev. R2C Page 35 Microwave Solutions
Multipath Propagation
Reflections
Rx
Tx
h
h1
d Wave length
h =
4h1 d = Path length
Rev. R2C Page 36 Microwave Solutions
Agenda
• Fading free conditions
• Free space loss
• Fading margin
• Microwave propagation
• Fresnel zone
• Attenuation due to obstacles
• Fading conditions
• Attenuation due to rain and gases
• Multipath propagation
• Repeaters
• Interfering signals
Rev. R2C Page 37 Microwave Solutions
Repeaters
Active repeaters: Passive repeaters:
• Parabolic reflectors
• MINI-LINK
• Plane reflectors
Rev. R2C Page 38 Microwave Solutions
Repeaters
Active Repeaters
Rev. R2C Page 39 Microwave Solutions
Repeaters
Passive repeaters
Passive repeater with two parabolic reflectors
Rev. R2C Page 40 Microwave Solutions
Repeaters
Passive repeaters
Passive repeater with plane reflector
Rev. R2C Page 41 Microwave Solutions
Repeaters
Rev. R2C Page 42 Microwave Solutions
Agenda
• Fading free conditions
• Free space loss
• Fading margin
• Microwave propagation
• Fresnel zone
• Fading conditions
• Attenuation due to obstacles, rain and
gases
• Multipath propagation
• Repeaters
• Interfering signals
Rev. R2C Page 43 Microwave Solutions
Interference
Rev. R2C Page 44 Microwave Solutions
Interference
Site F
Interfering signal path
Site B
Site E Site A
Site G
Site C
Site D
Rev. R2C Page 45 Microwave Solutions
Interference
Methods to reduce interference
• Transmitter attenuation
• High performance antenna
• Polarization
• Larger antennas
• Frequency separation
Rev. R2C Page 46 Microwave Solutions
Useful Links
Internet:
ITU rec.: http://www.itu.int/publications/
Intranet:
Normative Standards: http://standards.lme.ericsson.se/eritsr/estandards.htm
Rev. R2C Page 47 Microwave Solutions
