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These calculations are mainly based in two quantities, transmit and receive powers in the antennas.
They are usually expressed in decibel (dB). Losses occur along the path (Fig‐1).
Fig‐1 Microwave Link
The power delivered to a receiver is the flux density multiplied by the effective aperture/area.
Gt Pt EIRP
Ψ
A sphere 4πr
Gr λ²
A eff η A physical
4π
A physical πr Circle
Fig‐2 Electromagnetic flux going towards a dish
Pr Ψ A eff
EIRP λ Gr
Pr
4πd 4π
λ c
Pr EIRP Gr EIRP Gr ²
4πd 4πdf
Where,
η–illumination efficiency (between 55% and 80. 55% is
a conservative typical used value)
r‐dish radius
λ‐Wavelength
EIRP‐Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power
d‐distance or range between antennas
Gr‐Receiver Antenna Gain
Let’s express the previous formula in decibels. To do that, we need to take the logarithm in both sides of
the equation. Brackets [] are used to denote the value expressed in decibels.
4πd
Pr EIRP Gr 10 log ²
λ
Where, the last term is the free space transmission loss (FSL). Engineers must always deal with the FSL.
It will be present even in a perfect environment. Actually, the FSL is the ideal minimum loss including all
losses of a microwave link (i.e. rain, misalignment, etc). Said that, let’s express the previous equitation in
a different way.
Pr EIRP Gr 20 log
f‐frequency
c‐speed of light (300, 000 Km/s = 186, 000 miles/s)
f c/λ
As we can see, Pr will decrease when the frequency (f) and/or distance (d) increase and vice versa. EIRP
is the power radiated by an antenna compared to an isotropic element. It can be express as follow:
EIRP Gt Pt
or
EIRP Gt Pt
Gt‐Transmitter Gain (usually equal to the Receiver’s)
Pt‐Output Transmitter Power
Now, we can express the link loss budget expression in a very straight forward formula:
Pr Pt Gt Gr FSL
All calculations above have been done only considering the microwave link. However, the analysis is
usually done between the transmitter and receiver electronics equipments. Other considerations have
to be taken into account. Thus, the previous equation must be modified to express the new link
components. It will be covered in a future release of this document.