ETEG 408

UNIT-2 Microwave Radio Relay Systems

Microwave Communication Link

Prepared by
Ram Kaji Budhathoki, Ph.D
Associate Professor
DoEEE, KU
Microwave Communication Link

For microwave signal, the mode of propagation between two radio antennas may
include a direct (line-of-sight) path but also a refracted path from troposphere and a
path reflected from earth surface as shown in Fig. 1.

For the frequencies in microwave band, the line-of-sight (LOS) propagation mode is
predominant mode available for use, the other modes may cause interference
with the stronger LOS path.

LOS path exists when there is a direct path between two points no obstructions (e.g.,
building, trees, hills, or mountains) between them.

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Microwave Communication Link

Fig.1 Microwave communication link

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Microwave Communication Link

Line-of-sight links are limited in distance due to curvature of earth.

If the tower are too far apart, the earth will get in the way.

In order to overcome the problem of line-of-sight, microwave system use repeaters

between the transmitter and receiver as shown in Fig. 1.

The function of repeater is receive the signal amplify and re-transmit the signal to next
station.

The distance between repeaters can be upto 40 km or more some time upto 100 km,
depending on terrain topology and height of tower.

The distance between repeaters is roughly equal to the cube root of the tower height. For
example, repeaters can be spaced 90 km apart if towers height is approximately 100 m.

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Summary

Microwave transmission is a line-of-sight (LOS) link.

For long distance communication, repeater are used at distance 40–50 km.

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Parameters Affecting Microwave Link Design
Various parameters that affect microwave LOS link design are:
1. Attenuation
2. Free space loss
3. Noise
4. Atmospheric absorption
5. Multipath propagation 6. Refraction.

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1. Attenuation

Attenuation is the reduction of signal strength during transmission.

It is just the opposite of amplification. Its unit is dB (decibel) or more generally it is measured
exponentially.

The various causes of attenuation are rain attenuation, attenuation due to trees, long distance
attenuation, other climatic factors such as snow, wind, fog etc. Attenuation is an inherent
characteristics of RF signal and also is very important in the design aspect.

So it should be taken into consideration while designing and calculating the RSL (receive signal
level) of RF signal between two stations.

Attenuation is directly proportional to the frequency. That means the RF signal gets significantly
attenuated at higher frequencies and there is less effect of attenuation at lower frequencies.
Aαf
where, A = Attenuation
f = Frequency.
of course, there are some loss (signal attenuation) in transmitter as well as in receiver,
however the major attenuation occurs in the transmission medium between
transmitting and receiving antennas of two stations.
1. Attenuation

Fig. 2 Attenuation vs. distance

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1. Attenuation

The radio signal get attenuated exponentially with distance while propagating as shown in Fig.
2.

From Fig. 2, it is clear that keeping transmission distance (d) fixed, the higher frequency (f ) gets
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attenuated significantly than does the lower frequency (f ) signal.

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It is also observed that when the transmission distance is near, then the selection of frequency
(microwaves antenna of certain frequency) is not so important because there is not much
difference (∆A ) between the attenuation occurred by higher frequency and lower frequency
1

whereas it is very much important to choose the appropriate frequency (microwave antenna)
when the transmission distance is far because there is significant difference (∆A ) between the
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attenuation occurred due to higher and lower frequencies.

One should choose the lower frequency microwave antenna to establish the link between the
two stations located quite far away from each other.

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2. Free Space Loss
In free space signals propagate in straight line independent of their frequency.

If such a straight line exist between any transmitter and a receiver it is a called line-of-
sight.

If no medium (source of attenuation) exist between transmitter and receiver, the signal
experiences free space loss.

In other words, free space loss is the loss that would occur in a region which is free of all
object that might absorb or reflect radio energy.

This represents the ideal case which we hope to approach in our real world microwave
link (in fact, it is possible to have path loss which is less than free space loss).

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2. Free Space Loss

Free space loss can express in term of difference between transmitted and received
power
(both in dB), i.e.,
[Lfs]dB = Pt - Pr (Both in dB)

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Calculation of Free Space Loss

Calculation of free space loss is quite simple. Consider a transmitter with power P coupled to
t

an
antenna which radiates equally in all direction (hypothetical isotropic antenna). At a distance
d from
the transmitter, the radiated power is distributed uniformly over an area of 4πd2 (i.e., the
surface area of sphere of radius d).
Thus power flux density is

--------------(1)

Since the radiation is distributed over a sphere of radius ‘d’. Now we consider a practical
antenna having gain G instead of hypothetical isotropic antenna.
T

Now power flux density towards receiver is

--------------(2)

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Calculation of Free Space Loss
P G is called effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of the transmitter.
t t

The transmission loss then depends on how much of this power is captured by receiving
antenna.

If the capture area, or effective aperture of this antenna is A , then the power which can
r

be delivered to the receiver (assuming no mismatch or feedline losses) is simply

--------------(3)

--------------(4)

We know that the gain and effective area are related as

--------------(5)

--------------(6)

where G is gain of receiving antenna.

r
Calculation of Free Space Loss
Substituting (6) in (4)

--------------(7)

--------------(8)

where L is the path loss.

p

The path loss in dB is given by

--------------(9)

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Calculation of Free Space Loss

--------------(10)

The above equation may be written in form of effective aperture area by using the
relation
Calculation of Free Space Loss

From (5) Substituting in (4), we get

It shows that decrease in loss at higher frequencies.

3. Noise
The unwanted signal are called as noise. Noise is a major limiting factor in the microwave
LOS link.

There are four categories of noise: thermal noise, intermodulation noise, crosstalk and
impulse noise.

4. Atmospheric Absorption
Attenuation is caused by absorption of signal energy by water vapour and molecular
oxygen.

These losses are different than the adverse weather condition but are also called
atmospheric losses.

To distinguish between them, the weather related losses are called as atmospheric
attenuation and absorption losses are called as atmospheric absorption.
5. Multipath Propagation

In this signals from receiver to transmitter reach. Through the different paths. The multipath
propagation results in three main effects:

• The multiple copies of signal are arrived at different phases. If the phases are added
distructively, the signal level decreases and signal detection may become more difficult.

• Multipath propagation produces is ISI (inter symbol interference (ISI)).

• Since net signal strength at receiver is the vector sum of all the signals received from
different directions. Hence, multipath propagation results in variation in signal level with
time which is known as fading.

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Reflection

Refraction occurs when propagating wave passes through one medium to another medium have
different properties (i.e., conduction, refractive index, density etc.), then the wave is partially
reflected and partially transmitted. This complete mechanism is known by refraction.

This refraction occurs due to that because air is denses at lower level than at higher level as well
as outer surface of earth (ionosphere and toposphere) having different properties.

Mostly this mechanism considered in LOS microwave link and satellite communication.

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Summary

• Attenuation is the reduction of signal strength during transmission.

• Attenuation is directly proportional to the frequency.
• Free space loss can be express in term of difference between transmitted and
received power (both in dB).
• PtGt is called effective isotropic retiated power (EIRP).
• Atmospheric absorption is cause by absorption of signal energy by water vapour
and molecular oxygen.

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 Example-1

1. For a carrier frequency of 6 GHz and a distance of 50 km, determine the free-space path
loss.
(Ans: FSL = 142 dB)

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 Solution:

Given: f = 6 GHz
D = 50 km
Req’d: FSL
Sol’n:
FSL = 20 log 4fD
C
= 20 log 4(6 x 109)(50 x 103)
3 x 108
FSL = 142 dB
 Example-2

2. An FM LOS microwave link operates at 6.15 GHz. The transmitter output power is 1 watt.
The path length is 34 km; the antennas at each end have a 35-dB gain and the
transmission line losses at each end are 3 dB. Find the received signal level (RSL).
(Ans: RSL = -44.85 dBm)
 Solution: Part 1

Given: f = 6.150 GHz

Pt = 1 watt = 30 dBm
D = 34 km
Gant(Tx) = Gant(Rx) = 35 dB
TLL(Tx) = TLL(Rx) = 3 dB
Req’d: RSL

Sol’n:
RSL = Pt + Gant(Tx) – TLL(Tx) – FSL + Gant(Rx) – TLL(Rx)
 Solution: Part 2

Solving for FSL:

4fD
FSL = 20 log C
4(6.15 x 109)(34 x 103)
= 20 log 3 x 108

FSL = 138. 85 dB

RSL = 30 dBm + 35 dB – 3 dB – 138.85 dB + 35 dB – 3 dB

RSL = - 44.84 dBm

 Example-3

3. Consider a space-diversity microwave radio system

operating at an RF carrier frequency of 1.8 GHz. Each
station has a 2.4-meter diameter parabolic antenna that is
fed by a 100m of air-filled coaxial cable. The terrain is
smooth and the area has a humid climate. The distance
between stations is 40 km. A reliability objective of
99.99% is desired. Determine the system gain. The air-
filled coaxial cable has a feeder loss of 5.4 dB/100m and
branching loss of 2 dB.
(Ans: GS = 114.75 dB)
 Solution: Part 1:

Given: f = 1.8 GHz

d = 2.4 m (antenna diameter)
D = 40 km
R = 99.99%
Lf = 5.4 dB/100m (each station)
Lb = 2 dB (each station)
Req’d: GS
Sol’n:
GS = Pt – Cmin
GS = FM + FSL + Lf + Lb – At - Ar
 Solution: Part 2

a) FM = 30 log D + 10 log (6ABf) – 10 log (1 –R) – 70

A=4
B = 0.5
R = 0.9999
FM = 31.4 dB

b) FSL = 20 log 4fD

C
FSL = 129.55 dB
 Solution: Part 3
c) Lf = 5.4 dB x 2
Lf = 10.8 dB

d) Lb = 2 dB x 2
Lb = 4 dB

e) At = Ar = 20 log f (GHz) + 20 log d (m) + 17.8

At = Ar = 30.5 dB
 Solution: Part 4

GS = FM + FSL + Lf + Lb – At – Ar
= 31.4 dB + 129.55 dB + 10.8 dB
+ 4 dB – 30.5 dB – 30.5 dB
GS = 114.75 dB

* The result indicates that for this system to perform at

99.99% reliability with the given terrain, distribution
networks, transmission lines and antennas, the transmitter
output power must be at least 114.75 dB more than the
minimum receive signal level.
 Fading

• Variations in signal loss which can be caused by natural weather

disturbances, such as rainfall, snowfall, fog, hail and extremely
cold air over a warm earth.
• Can also be caused by man-made disturbances, such as irrigation,
or from multiple transmission paths, irregular Earth surfaces, and
varying terrains.
 Fade Margin

• is the difference between the RSL and the receiver threshold or

sensitivity.

• is the additional loss added to the normal path loss to

accommodate the effects of temporary fading, that considers the
non-ideal and less predictable characteristics of radio-wave
propagation
 Categories Of Fading

• Flat Fading
– non-frequency dependent fading occurring during
atmospheric variations like heavy rain and ducting and
aging or partial failure of equipment.
• Frequency Selective Fading
– due to multipaths formed by atmosphere, terrain
reflection, and diffraction.
 Fresnel Zone

 Fresnel Zone - Areas of constructive and destructive interference

created when electromagnetic wave propagation in free space is
reflected (multipath) or diffracted as the wave intersects obstacles.
Fresnel zones are specified employing ordinal numbers that
correspond to the number of half wavelength multiples that
represent the difference in radio wave propagation path from the
direct path
 The Fresnel Zone must be clear of all obstructions.
 Fresnel Zone

 Typically the first Fresnel zone (N=1) is used to determine

obstruction loss
 The direct path between the transmitter and the receiver needs a
clearance above ground of at least 60% of the radius of the first
Fresnel zone to achieve free space propagation conditions
 Earth-radius factor k compensates the refraction in the atmosphere
 Clearance is described as any criterion to ensure sufficient antenna
heights so that, in the worst case of refraction (for which k is
minimum) the receiver antenna is not placed in the diffraction
region
 Fresnel Zone
Line-of-Sight

0.6 of 1st Fresnel Zone

1st Fresnel Zone

where:
d1d 2 F1 = radius of the first Fresnel zone in feet
F1  72.1 d1 = distance in statute miles from one end
d2 = distance from the other end of the path
DFGHz D = total distance in statute miles
where:
d1d 2 F1 = radius of the first Fresnel zone in meters
F1  17.3 d1 = distance in kilometers from one end
d2 = distance from the other end of the path
DFGHz D = total distance in kilometers
THANK YOU

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