900 MHz Propagation Advantages Application Note

150 Cardinal Crescent Saskatoon SK Canada S7L 6H7 306 955 7075

Suite 3, 30 Cowper St. Parramatta, NSW Australia +61 (2) 8835-4984

4210 Commerce Circle Victoria BC Canada V8Z 6N6 250 881 1982

900 MHz Propagation Advantages Application Note

WaveRiders LMS8000 Fixed Wireless Access

WaveRiders LMS8000 family of products includes WaveRiders end-user modem (EUM8000, EUM8001, EUM8005 and EUM8012) and the CCU8000 and CCU8001 base stations. WaveRider was amongst the first in the industry to deliver high-speed non-line-of-sight (NLOS) wireless connections in 900 MHz. The Vecima EUM achieves NLOS performance by taking advantage of the superior propagation characteristics of the lower frequency 902-928 MHz band. It is a simple fact of physics that lower frequency radio energy travels farther through cables, through the air, and through and around clutter like trees, hills and buildings. This note provides examples of propagation loss to be expected in the 900 MHz band, the 2.4 GHz band, and the 5.8 GHz band. The advantages of 900 MHz mean that more subscribers are accessible from a given base station. It usually allows for the use of inexpensive indoor antennas, or under-the-eaves outdoor subscriber antennas. These antennas are less costly to install and maintain, less obtrusive, and avoid subscriber reluctance to deal with rooftop masts. 2 Propagation Characteristics

Free Space Loss The loss due to radio energy passing through air with a clear Fresnel zone1. Generally, a 900 MHz signal travels through air with much less loss than does a higher frequency signal. Example: 3 mile distance 900MHz 5.2 dB 900 MHz 5.9 dB 2.6 dB 1.9 dB 2.4 GHz 113.7 dB 2.4 GHz 10 dB 4.4 dB 3.4 dB 5.8 GHz 121.3 dB 5.8 GHz 16.1 dB 7.2 dB 5.6 dB

Cable Loss The loss expected due to radio energy passing through RF cables2. Examples: 150 feet, LMR400 150 feet, LMR900 150 feet, LMR1200

Vegetation Loss The loss expected due to radio energy being absorbed by the moisture content of the vegetation. The loss will vary for every situation, however the typical free loss expected at different frequencies has been estimated by the International Telecommunication Union.3 900 MHz 2.4 GHz 5.8 GHz Example: 150 feet of trees 9 dB 25 dB 60 dB Wall and Glass Loss The loss expected due to radio energy being absorbed while passing through the walls and windows of a building. The amount of absorption varies depending on
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Use the common formula: Free Space Loss = 20Log10(Frequency in MHz) + 20Log10 (Distance in km) + 32.4 See http://www.timesmicrowave.com/cable_calculators/ 3 See the ITU Recommendation: ITU-R P.833-3 Attenuation in vegetation 2001. http://www.itu.int/md/R00-SG03-C-0087/en 900MHz_Advantages_ap_r02 Page 2

900 MHz Propagation Advantages Application Note

the construction materials and thickness of the material. Generally more energy is absorbed at the higher frequencies. 3 Propagation Characteristics

Gains from Reflection In the real world, radio energy does not follow just one path from the transmitter to the receiver. In a cluttered NLOS environment (for example lots of buildings surrounding the receiving modem), the received signal is really the sum of many signals that have reflected off surrounding buildings, the ground, trees etc. With higher frequencies, more of the signal gets absorbed during a reflection. With lower frequency 900 MHz signals, more energy will ultimately reach the receiving antenna benefiting from the reflections. Gains from Diffraction Diffraction is what happens when a radio signal bends around an obstacle, like a hill, a building or a tree. For example if a 900 MHz base station antenna is located out of or above the trees, than a diffractive path can exist around the trees, giving a much stronger link. The benefit is not available to the same extent at higher frequencies. The following diagram shows an example where a signal may diffract around a hill to reach a receiving antenna in the shadow of the hill.
Tx antenna height (m)

Rx antenna height (m)

5
Obstruction height (m)

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Vecima Networks Inc. 150 Cardinal Place, Saskatoon SK Canada S7L 6H7 Tel: +1 306 955 7075 Fax: +1 306 955 9919 waveridersales@vecima.com

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