Technical Paper

Building a Microwave Network

Introduction Every Project Manager knows that the success of a venture involves the effective control of time, costs, and quality of service. Although each project has its own unique set of planning, tracking, scheduling, and management tasks, the overall process for a microwave build-out revolves around three key phases: planning and design, construction, and final acceptance. Managing such a project requires mobilizing a design and construction team to plan, and controlling and implementing all of the projects activities, from conception to completion of construction. Thus, Project Managers must have a basic understanding of the microwave build-out process, which includes knowing what specialists to bring in as well as understanding the timeline required and critical steps toward completion. This technical paper briefly describes ten key factors for managing a microwave network build-out project and is recommended reading for executives and the management team. Even if youre an experienced project manager in other fields, understanding the basic phases specific to the microwave network build-out process will help you better navigate its complexities. 1. Organize a Kick-off Meeting and Select Your Team of Engineers Regardless of whether youre charged with building a new microwave system or upgrading or expanding an existing facility, microwave deployment is a multidisciplinary activity that involves a number of specialized experts in their respective fields. Thus, hosting a kick-off meeting that includes all project participants is both a good opportunity for people to meet one another and a great way to brainstorm to identify any missing links, i.e., necessary equipment, needed experts, or other factors that might have been omitted or previously thought unnecessary. Its better to discover such things sooner than later. Carefully engineered designs can provide years of quality service and significantly reduce a projects overall costs, including future maintenance and repairs. Thats why selecting appropriately qualified transmission/microwave engineers, paths surveyors, and a construction crew is essential for achieving the best possible results. Appropriately qualified engineers and/or engineering consultants consider all design and build alternatives, analyze the long-maintenance costs, and present innovative designs for consideration. Choose the company/subcontractor that is best qualified for the job, which isnt always the one with the lowest-priced offer. If possible, select a company who can provide in-house experts in all phases of microwave network design and deployment.

2. Create a Preliminary Network Plan While either the engineers or the Project Manager can do the scheduling and budgeting, the network planalso called a preliminary designis typically done by the microwave engineers. Who performs which function depends on how responsibilities are delegated and can vary from project to project. By and large, a network plan can be completed in a matter of days and usually consists of the following: A thorough discussion of the system requirements and the project goals. The customer defines the system requirements and often the site locations as well. A preliminary engineering of the path using topographical maps and a visit to key sites only, such as BSCs and big hub sites. A list of the required materials and a nominal BOQ. A budget and timeline with clearly defined benchmarks.

The whole project will be assessedand approved or rejectedon the basis of the nominal network plan and its deliverables (budget, work force, and schedule). Unfortunately, due to the short time in which the information is gathered, as well as the limited input data, the margin of error in the plan calculations and its predictions is quite high. Thus, getting approval is probably the most difficult part of the project because you must convince non-technical personnel or executiveswho may not have the funds and/or experience with the technology involvedto go ahead with it. Understandably, they can be nervous about committing large amounts of capital for something that might not bring profits for a few years. 3. Create a Detailed Network Design A microwave radio system requires careful planning and detailed analysis before the equipment can be installed. A poorly designed path can result in periodic system outages, resulting in increased system latency, decreased throughput, or worst case, a complete failure of the system. Because not all the sites will be suitable for tower and microwave antenna installation, site and path surveys and link budgeting are interdependent. Further, any changes in site location can seriously impact network topology and design. A field path survey should determine the exact coordinates where the antennas will be located, the height of each antenna, the location and height of current and future path obstructions (for example, a tree could grow to obstruct the path at some later date), and the location of possible reflection points. A detailed network design should consist of: Comprehensive site and path surveys Link budgeting Interference analysis Final equipment specification for the BOQ

4. Getting the Necessary Equipment and Services Equipment to procure generally includes (but is not limited to) antenna mounting structures (towers, masts, tripods, etc.), microwave radios, antennas, transmission lines, multiplexing equipment, cross-connects, rectifiers, and batteries. Services to procure generally include (but are not limited to) those of consultants, microwave engineers, project managers, construction managers, a site acquisition team, and equipment installers. It is important to line up all the necessary equipment and services as soon as possible and to stay within budget. 5. Hire a Good Materials Coordinator The key to a successful and efficient implementation plan, especially on large projects, is having an experienced Materials Coordinator. This person is responsible for ordering all required materials and equipment as well as scheduling and managing its delivery. The Materials Coordinator must understand the technology, and even more importantly, the process of implementing a large microwave network. Another duty might include making sure that equipment is safely stored on site while waiting to be installed. In some cases, remote sites might require private security to guard expensive microwave equipment like valuable copper waveguides, for instance, which are sometimes targeted by thieves. 6. Install the Equipment and Test It Telecommunications equipment comes in all shapes and sizes, and specially designed, or even custom-built, shelters are available to properly protect it. In addition, new split configuration microwave radios require little space and can be installed virtually anywhere. Installation may include some or all of the following: Erecting towers Installing antenna and transmission lines Installing radio or other transmission equipment

Following installation, all equipment must be tested. In addition, a record of the standard field turn-up testsas defined by the customer, agreed upon by the microwave supplier, and performed after installation is completemust be provided to the customer. Individual microwave links must be tested for a short period of time (a few hours), while the system acceptance end-to-end tests should be performed over a 24-hour period. In case of protected (1+1) configuration, the protection switching should be tested for correct functioning as well. 7. Commission the System Once the as-built documentation is ready and the system acceptance tests have been performed, the system can be commissioned. The as-built documents show all the details of how the system was actually installed and connected, not the way it was originally designed. Commissioning involves systematically bringing the networks various components into operation before its start-up and formal hand-over to the customer Commissioning high-capacity links (backbone systems), hub sites, and ring sites should be performed first, followed by lower-capacity and spur

sites. As soon as the equipment is operational and tested according to the Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP), the Project Manager initiates and submits a final project certificate for acceptance to the customer. This certificate records the formal hand-over of the completed project and identifies all the documentation that the client requires for on-going operation, including operational and maintenance manuals, as-built drawings, equipment warranties, and contract completion reports. 8. Implement a Periodic Maintenance Program Although a properly designed and installed microwave system should not require a lot of maintenance, a periodic maintenance program should be implemented anyway and established during the preliminary design phase. The customer, or any designated company, can perform the maintenance as long as they are qualified to do so. Invest in a good network management system and install it together with the microwave radio equipment. It will simplify the maintenance tasks and automate periodic maintenance logging and record-keeping. Periodic routine maintenance for any equipment should be performed in accordance with the relevant equipment manuals and manufacturers requirements. 9. Carefully Manage Any Changes, Document Their Expenses and Consequences A microwave network build-out will inevitably require changes in scope at some point during the project; therefore, managing these changes, scheduling each phase, and tracking the progress are essential. RF cell-site network design and transmission network design usually change so often during the initial phase of the project that it is difficult to track all of them on a daily basis. Changes can be costly, so anyone requesting changes must understand the impact of each and be willing to accept the consequences. For example, if changes affect the time of year the system is engineered and built, it could dramatically increase the cost. Under ideal weather conditions, small networksa dozen links or sousually require just a few weeks from start to finish. During winter, however, a project could take two months, significantly increasing the cost per link. In temperate or cold climates, design and installation in winter is not recommended due to various factors that slow down the project. However, in regions where temperatures dont dramatically drop during winter, this might not be an issue. 10. Celebrate Achieving Benchmarks One way to ensure momentum on large-scale projects is to celebrate benchmarks as each are achieved. Recognizing successes goes a long way in team building and promoting good morale among everyone involved in the project. Organize a group lunch or get together for a happy hour. Events like these are a good way for Project Managers to personally and publicly acknowledge the contributions of each team member and exchange information that might make the project run even more smoothly. Never use these events to point out faults or mistakes. If necessary, such actions should be done privately and involve the relevant parties only. Its also important to celebrate the projects completion, inviting everyone who contributed, no matter how briefly, to help reach the end result.

Conclusion A clear understanding of the microwave network build-out process is essential for the successful implementation of a project, whether it is a new system or an upgrade/expansion of an existing one. The key to success lies in hiring a team of experts with the appropriate skills and knowledge, carefully managing timelines and costs, and ensuring that the system meets all the construction, testing, and performance requirements to fulfill the customers goals.