Microwave Communication System Link Design

Submitted by:

Miracel June Cesar

November 2014

Submitted to:

Prof. Meriam Gay Bautista

I. Introduction

Communication is a meaningful exchange of information. It is a process by which we

assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding. This process requires

a vast repertoire of skills in intrapersonal and interpersonal processing, listening, observing,

speaking, questioning, analyzing, and evaluating. Use of these processes is developmental and

transfers to all areas of life: home, school, community, work, and beyond. It is through

communication that collaboration and cooperation occur.

Communication is not possible without a transmitter, transmission medium, and a

receiver. Transmission mediums play an important role in an effective communication between

the transmitter and receiver.

In order to carry a communication signal from one end to another, we need a physical

system which is the transmission medium. A transmission medium is a material substance

which can propagate energy waves. Take for example, the transmission medium for sound

received by the ears is usually air, but solids and liquids may also act as transmission media for

sound.

There are two basic categories of Transmission Media: Guided media and unguided

media, basically, the guided transmission media uses a "cabling" system. Guided media is also

known as bound media. And the unguided transmission media consists of a means for the

signals to propagate but nothing to guide them along a specific path and as such are often

called unbound media.

 In this paper, we will focus on unguided media particularly the microwave transmission

and design a particular microwave link in two points in Mindanao. Microwave Transmission

offers several advantages in transmission when compared with other transmission media. One

is, it carries high quantity of information due to their high operating frequencies. It has low cost

land purchase: each tower occupies small area and high frequency/short wavelength signals

require small antenna.

Objective

The project aims to design a microwave link from two sites in Mindanao, specifically, within the

MSU-IIT Campus and within MSU-Marawi Campus. Specifically, it aims to:

1. Create a design considering technical specification requirements, site and topographical

locations.

2. Design and engineer a reliable microwave link to an availability of 90% or greater.

3. Establish connection for proper and efficient handling of first-hand-information which

includes project patents, pertinent documents and educational system-wide

information.

4. The design is planned so as to provide enough gain with minimal losses encountered in

the propagation of signal and other possible losses.

Significance

This project provides a microwave link between two urban stations. These links provide

communication opportunities to these places. The communication links will enable these

schools to easily communicate with each other for educational purposes. This will be a factor to

the development of these institutions.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Microwave Communication

Microwaves are generally described as waves with frequencies that range from

approximately 500 MHz to 300 GHz or more. Microwave radios propagate signals through

Earth’s atmosphere between transmitters and receivers often located on top of towers spaced

about 90Km to 180 km apart. Therefore, microwave radio systems have the obvious advantage

of having the capacity to carry thousands of individual information channels between two

points without the need for physical facilities such as coaxial cables or optical fibers. The main

advantages of microwave radio systems are:

 Due to their operating frequencies, microwave radio systems can carry large quantities

of information;

 High frequencies mean short wavelengths which require relatively small antennas;

 Minimum delay times are introduced;

 Minimal crosstalk exists between voice channels; Microwave radio systems capacities

range from less than 12 voice-band channels to more than 22,000 channels. Early

microwave systems carried frequency-division-multiplexed voice-band circuits and used

 conventional, non-coherent frequency modulation techniques. Most recent developed

microwave systems carry pulse-code time-division-multiplexed voice-circuits and use

more modern digital modulation techniques, such as phase shift keying (PSK) or

quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). In essence, electronic communication is the

transmission, reception, and processing of information with the use of electronic Fig. 1

shows a simplified block diagram of an electronic communication system, which

comprises three primary sections: a source, a destination, and a transmission medium.

Signal Transmitted Received Signal

Message Message
Signal Signal
2 5
1 6
3 4
4 Transmission 4
Transducer 4 Transmitter 4 Receiver Transducer
4 Medium

Information Source Information Destination

Fig.1. Simplified block diagram for an electronic communication system.

Direct/Space Wave Propagation

Space Waves, also known as direct waves, are radio waves that travel directly from the

transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. In order for this to occur, the two antennas

must be able to “see” each other; that is there must be a line of sight path between them.

Microwave transmission is a space wave transmission. This sets a limit on the distance between

stations depending on the local geography. Typically the line of sight due to the Earth's
curvature is only 50 km to the horizon. Repeater stations are then needed, so the data signal

can hop, skip and jump across the country or somewhere beyond line-of-sight.

The diagram below shows a typical line of sight. The maximum line of sight distance

between two antennas depends on the height of each antenna.

Reflected waves can cause problems. Radio LOS takes into account the concept of

Fresnel ellipsoids and their clearance criteria.

 d = distance between antenna and horizon (km)

 h = antenna height (m)

 K = adjustment factor to account for refraction, rule of

thumb ; K = 4/3
Advantages and Disadvantages of Microwave Communication

Microwave Communication offers a list of advantages which are as follows:

• Radio systems do not require a right-of-way acquisition between stations.

• Because of their high operating frequencies, microwave radio systems can carry large

quantities of information.

• Less affected by natural calamities

• Less prone to accidental damage

• Links across mountains and rivers are more economically feasible

• Single point installation and maintenance

• Single point security

• They are quickly deployed

Microwave propagation has the following disadvantages:

 Attenuation by solid objects: birds, rain, snow and fog.

 Reflected from flat surfaces like water and metal.

 Diffracted (split) around solid objects

 Refracted by atmosphere, thus causing beam to be projected away from receiver.

 It is difficult to implement conventional circuit components (resistors, capacitors,

inductors, and so on) at microwave frequencies.

Antenna

An antenna is a circuit element that provides a transition form a guided wave on

a transmission line to a free space wave and it provides for the collection of

electromagnetic energy. When it is used in transmission, it radiates electromagnetic

energy into space. When in reception, it collects electromagnetic energy from space. In

two-way communication, the same antenna can be used for transmission and reception.

In our design, we will be using a parabolic dish antenna.

III. PARABOLIC DISH ANTENNA

Parabolic antenna is a high-gain reflector antenna used for radio, television and data

communications, and also for radiolocation, on the UHF and SHF parts of the electromagnetic

spectrum. The relatively short wavelength of electromagnetic radiation at these frequencies

allows reasonably sized reflectors to exhibit the desired highly directional response for both

receiving and transmitting.

Cassegrain antenna - a type of parabolic antenna in which the feed antenna is mounted

at or behind the surface of the concave main parabolic reflector dish and is aimed at a

smaller convex secondary reflector suspended in front of the primary reflector. The beam of

radio waves from the feed illuminates the secondary reflector, which reflects it back to the

main reflector dish, which reflects it forward again to form the desired beam. The Cassegrain

design is widely used in parabolic antennas, particularly in large antennas such as those

in satellite ground stations, radio telescopes, and communication satellites.

180CM C/Ku Prime Focus Dish Antenna(SADOUN SD180)

Perfect reception make this antenna an excellent choice

anywhere - especially in urban and suburban. These precision
steel antennas often outperform larger mesh antennas and
provide years of trouble-free reception. Dish includes a polar
mount and elevation fine tuning screw.

ANTENNA SPECIFICATIONS
Parabolic Antenna Gain

𝝅𝟐 𝑫𝟐
G= where: G is power gain over isotropic
𝝀𝟐

D is reflector diameter in same units as (λ) wavelength

Given the diameter of a parabolic antenna and its operating frequency, the gain can be

estimated.

For an antenna with an efficiency of 55%:

G = -42.2 + 20 log (Dm) + 20 log (fMHz)

Parabolic Antenna Beamwidth

A 55% efficiency dish with a small bandwidth (10%):

G = -20 log (θB) + 44; where θB is the half-power beamwidth

Therefore 3-db θB = 10-(G-44)/20; units in angle

Center Frequency

𝑓𝑢 +𝑓𝑙
fc = 2

4.225GHz+5.125GHz
fc = 2
 fc = 4.675 GHz

Antenna Height

To calculate the needed antenna height, here is the equation to use.

𝐻2 +𝐸𝐵 −𝐻𝑇 𝐻𝑇 +𝐸𝐴 −𝐻1

=
𝑑2 𝑑1

𝐻𝑡+𝐸𝐴 −𝐻1
𝐻2 = ( )d2 + HT - 𝐸𝐵
𝑑1

𝐻2 = (1980−980−50
12.9
) 3.4 + 1980 − 2154 = 76 ft

Where:

Ht is the assumed highest elevation clearance

H2 is the antenna height at station B

H1 is the antenna height at station A

EA is the elevation of station A

EB is the elevation of station B

d1 is the distance of the highest obstruction with respect to station A

d2 is the distance of the highest obstruction with respect to station B

Important Parameters to consider:

 Focus

The focus or focal point of the parabolic reflector is the point at which any incoming

signals are concentrated. When radiating from this point the signals will be reflected by the

reflecting surface and travel in a parallel beam and is used to provide the required gain and

beamwidth.

 Vertex

This is the innermost point at the centre of the parabolic reflector.

 Focal length

The focal length of a parabolic antenna is the distance from its focus to its vertex.

To ensure that the antenna operates correctly, it is necessary to ensure that the radiating

element is placed at the focal point. To determine this it is necessary to know the focal length.

Where f is the focal length D is the diameter of the reflector c is the depth of the reflector.

 Aperture

The aperture of a parabolic reflector is what may be termed its "opening" or the area

which it covers. For a circular reflector, this is described by its diameter. It can be likened to the

aperture of an optical lens.

IV. FREQUENCY BAND SELECTION

Frequency bands are groupings of radio frequencies that are used by networks to

communicate. It is a specific range of frequencies in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, which is

divided among ranges from very low frequencies (VLF) to extremely high frequencies (EHF).

Every country allocates specific bands of frequencies for specific services for specific users. In

this project, we choose 4.225GHz to 5.125GHz frequency band, with a center frequency of

4.675GHz along with an appreciable channel capacity of 600 to 2000.

We take note that the higher the frequency ranges of operation the better. Higher frequencies

are attractive to carriers because they often support a wider transmission bandwidth, which

allows the service provider to offer high-speed services such as Internet access and data

transmission.

V. SITE SELECTION

We will determine distance that separate the two site considerations. An aerial map will be

used for the site planning and inspection. We will consider the highest elevation within the area

to prevent distortion of transmitted signal due to obstructions. Proper lighting of the site is a

mandate and a requirement in the construction of microwave links. Accessibility of the site area

is to be considered to ensure that the site will have proper maintenance and regular checking

and upgrades. Regular maintenance and inspection of site is recommended by the project

engineer to prevent faults and problems in the transmission. If there are errors and faults in the

transmission, project engineers.

The elevation needs to be high terrain for fewer obstructions. No signal repeater is needed,

since from the path profile being done along its path, a line of sight has been established.

Lastly, the path is mountainous so multipath fading would not cause a significant problem.

Proposed Microwave sites:

1.COE Building Rooftop, MSU-IIT Campus, Andres Bonficacio Avenue, Tibanga, Iligan City

2. CASS Rooftop, MSU-Marawi Campus, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur

(Measuring Distance and Elevation via Google Earth)

V. METHODOLOGY

Path Profile

Path profile is a graphic representation of the physical features of a propagation path in

the vertical plane containing both endpoints of the path, showing the surface of the

Earth and including trees, buildings, and other features that may obstruct the radio signal.

Typically the first Fresnel zone (N=1) is used to determine obstruction loss which was

discussed in the previous part. 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.

In the microwave path from MSU-IIT to MSU-Marawi, design, and implement high-availability

microwave paths that have path reliabilities of not less than 90% and a fade margin of not less

than 30 dB for all microwave paths. We shall apply for, coordinate and obtain FCC licenses for

all microwave paths requiring licensing. We shall calculate and compute for the path loss,

Fresnel zone, power input and output of each radio, transmit and receive power of our radio.

Earth Bulge / Horizontal Axis

The curvature for various values of K can be calculated from the following relationship:

𝑑1𝑑2
H = (3/2)𝑘

𝑑1𝑑2 𝑑1𝑑2 12.9(3.4)

H = (3/2)(4/3) = = = 21.93
2 2

Where:

H is the vertical variation in height (ft.).

d1 is the distance (mi.) from one end of the path to the point being considered
d2 is the distance (mi.) from the point considered to the other end of the path

K is the equivalent Earth radius factor with consistent value of K = 4/3 under a uniform normal

atmospheric state.

Fresnel Zone

Fresnel Zones are 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.

where

d = distance between

antennas

R= first Fresnel zone radius

in (m)

f= frequency in GHz

Radius of the first Fresnel zone

(1)

𝒅𝟏𝒅𝟐
F = 72.1 √
𝒇𝑫

Where: d2 is the difference between D and d1

 f is the center frequency in GHz

where D = distance between antennas (in Km)

F1 is first Fresnel zone radius in feet D is the total length of the path in miles d1 is the distance

from one end of the path to the point being considered .

d1 = 12.9 mi

d2 = 3.4 mi

12.9(3.4)
F1 = 72.1 √ = 54.70 ft
4.675(16.3)

𝐷 26.23
(2) R = 8.657 √ = 8.657 √ = 20.51 m
𝑓 4.675

Center Frequency

In electrical engineering and telecommunications, the center frequency of a filter or

channel is a measure of a central frequency between the upper and lower cutoff frequencies.

𝑓𝑢 +𝑓𝑙
fc = 2

4.225GHz+5.125GHz
fc = 2

fc = 4.675 GHz
 First
Distance from Recorded Earth
OBSTRUCTION Fresnel
Station A Elevation Bulge TOTAL
Zone
(in miles) (in ft) (in ft)
(in ft)
a 6.24 1100 31.38 65.44 1196.91

b 9.26 1510 32.68 66.69 1609.37

c 11.6 1755 27.33 45.99 1843.42

d 12.9 1979 21.98 54.70 2055.68

e 15.8 2002 3.96 23.21 2104.17

Power Density

Power density helps determine the limit of the electromagnetic radiation that the body

absorbs. The recommended upper limit for the International Exposure Standard is only up to 50

uw/m2 with upper limit of 100 uW/m2.

Gt=43.41 dB

d1 = 20760 m

d2 = 5471 m

 For 20760 m distance

Ƿd = PtGt/4П𝑑 2 = 20(37.41)/ 4П(20760 2 ) = 0.14 μW/m2

  For 5471 m distance

Ƿd = PtGt/4П𝑑 2 = 20(37.41)/ 4П(5471 2 ) = 1.99 μW/m2

 For 26232 m distance

Ƿd = PtGt/4П𝑑 2 = 20(37.41)/ 4П(26232 2 ) = 0.087 μW/m2

Free Space Loss

LP = 96.6 + 20 log FGHz + 20 log Dmiles

LP = 96.6 + 20 log (4.675) + 20 log (16.3) = 134.24 dB

Feed Waveguide Systems

In this design, we use waveguides as feed to our antenna. Why use waveguide? Wave

guides conduct microwave energy at lower loss than coaxial cables. Waveguides are practical

only for signals of extremely high frequency, where the wavelength approaches the cross-

sectional dimensions of the waveguide. Below such frequencies, waveguides are useless as

electrical transmission lines. This makes waveguide an advantage in our design since we are

considering microwave frequency. A waveguide is a special form of transmission line consisting

of a hollow, metal tube. The tube wall provides distributed inductance, while the empty spaces

between the tube walls provide distributed capacitance.

Waveguides may be thought of as conduits for electromagnetic energy, the waveguide

itself acting as nothing more than a “director” of the energy rather than as a signal conductor in
the normal sense of the word. In a sense, all transmission lines function as conduits of

electromagnetic energy when transporting pulses or high-frequency waves, directing the waves

as the banks of a river direct a tidal wave. However, because waveguides are single-conductor

elements, the propagation of electrical energy down a waveguide is of a very different nature

than the propagation of electrical energy down a two-conductor transmission line.

Figure below shows the waveguide to be used in the design produced by MICROTECH,

Inc. The waveguide is a rectangular flexible waveguide, EIA WR-137. Its specifications are shown

below. This Flexible waveguide is silver-plated per QQ-S-365. Flexible waveguide assemblies

include a protective molded Neoprene rubber coating to the exterior of the waveguide. An

optional polysulfide brush-on jacket may be supplied on all sizes. The frequency range that the

designer considered is the 5.85 – 8.20 GHz so that the waveguide would match our operating

frequency range of 4.225GHz to 5.125GHz .

 The table below shows the specifications of the connector to be used. The designer

chose EIA WR- 137 to meet the frequency range of the waveguide. Its insertion loss is 0.10

which we will use in the computation for the total loss by the waveguide.

The table below shows the graph for the Loss caused by the radome depending on the
frequency. In this case, we consider the frequency of 6.175GHz. The corresponding loss in dB is
approximately 0.3dB.
Waveguide Length = Antenna Height + 30

Waveguide Loss = (waveguide length)(waveguide attenuation)

FIXED LOSSES STATION A STATION B

Waveguide (100 + 30)*(0.05) = 6.5 dB (160 + 30)*(0.05) = 9.5 dB

Connector 0.1 0.1

Radome 0.3 0.3

Total 6.9 dB 9.9 dB

Total Losses = StationAloss + StationBloss + Path Loss Total Losses

= 6.9 dB + 9.9 dB + 134.24 dB

Total Losses = 151.04 dB

Tentative Net Path Loss = Transmitted Power – Median Received Power

Tentative Net Path Loss = 40 dBm - ( -32 dBm)

Tentative Net Path Loss = 72 dB

Theoretical Gain = Total Losses – Net Path loss

Theoretical Gain = 151.04 dB – 72 dB

Theoretical Gain = 79.04 dB

Fade Margin

The Fade Margin is the difference between the Received Signal Strength and the radio Receiver

Sensitivity . When you deploy a link you want to have a Receive Signal Strength that is

sufficiently above the radio Receiver Sensitivity in order to survive signal fading due to a

variety of factors. These factors might include slight misalignment of the antennas, losses

due to fog and rain, etc. As a rule of thumb you should try to get at least 15 dB of fade

margin in your links.

In April 1969, W.T. Barnett of Bell Telephone Laboratories described ways of calculating outage

time due to fading on a nondiversity path as a function of terrain, climate, path length, and fade

margin. In June 1970, Arvids Vignant (also of Bell Laboratories) derived formulas for

calculating the effective improvement achievable by vertical space diversity as a function of

the spacing distance, path length, and frequency. Solving the Barnett-Vignant reliability

equations for specified annual system availability for an unprotected, nondiversity system

yields the following expression:

where

FM = fade margin (dB)

D = distance (kilometers)

F = frequency (GHz)

R = reliability expressed as a decimal

1-R = reliability objective for one-way 400-km route

A = roughness factor

= 4 over water or a very smooth terrain

= 1 over an average terrain

= 0.25 over a very rough, mountainous terrain

B = factor to convert a worst-month probability to an annual probability

= 1 to convert an annual availability to a worst-month basis

= 0.5 for hot humid areas = 0.25 for average inland areas

= 0.125 for very dry or mountainous area

At the receiver end, thermal noise occurs. The input signal to the receiver must be above the

FM threshold (power of the signal is approximately 10dB higher than the power of the noise)

because if it drops below this level, the noise in the derived channel rises quickly to an

intolerable level. By present standards, the maximum acceptable noise level is considered to be

55dBrnC0.
Practical Threshold

The practical threshold or minimum acceptable RF input level point, cannot be lower

than the FM improvement threshold, but may be higher if it is established as an arbitrary value

of noise in the top channel. Since, from the start, we had used the 55dBrnC0 as the maximum

allowable limit, it is evident that the ―practical threshold will be at an RF input that is 4.9dB

above the FM threshold, or -74dBm.

Actual Fade Margin = Actual Median Received –Practical Threshold

Actual Fade Margin = -37.086 dBm – (-74dBm)

Actual Fade Margin = 36.914

Microwave Radio Link Reliability

The generally accepted formula used to calculate the annual outage probability (U) resulting

from frequency selective type fading of a non-diversity microwave radio path is the classic

formula

Undp = (a)(b)(1.25)(10-6)(f1.5)(D3)(10-FM/10)

where: FM = fade margin (dB)

D = distance (miles)
 f = frequency (gigahertz)

a = roughness factor = 4 over water or a very smooth terrain

= 1 over an average terrain

= 0.25 over a very rough, mountainous terrain

b = factor to convert a worst-month probability to an annual probability

= 1 to convert an annual availability to a worst-month basis

= 0.5 for hot humid areas = 0.25 for average inland areas

= 0.125 for very dry or mountainous area

Undp = 1.210 × 10−6

Therefore, we can compute for the percent reliability through:

% 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦= 1−𝑈𝑛𝑑𝑝 x 100%

% reliability = (1 – 1.210 × 10−6 ) x 100% = 99.99%

REFERENCES

http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/jk1/lectures/node83.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_transmissiona

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabolic_antenna

http://www.eogogics.com/talkgogics/tutorials/microwave-line-of-sight-systems

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-communication.html

http://www.ehow.com/list_6137210_microwave-radio-communications-advantages-

disadvantages.html

http://www.ehow.com/list_6137210_microwave-radio-communications-advantages-

disadvantages.html

http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/antennas/parabolic/parabolic_reflector.php

http://www.antenna-theory.com/antennas/reflectors/dish.php