MICROWAVE LINK - FUNDAMENTALS

INTRODUCTION
Definition of Microwave

Microwaves are electromagnetic radiations in the frequency range 1 GHz to

30 GHz (generally for Telecom).

Various books uses various frequency ranges for identifying microwaves. 

Radio Frequency or Microwaves are two different terms used to break
monotony.  This means both terms convey similar meaning.  Frequency from
300 MHz to 300 GHz are used in various ranges to define range of RF /
Microwaves.

It is to be noted that higher the frequency, higher the bandwidth.  Thus using
high frequency gives us facility of transferring more data.  However,
everything comes with a price.  High frequency means high processing
capabilities are required and thus higher the cost.  But use of frequency
spectrum is very high and thus latter (i.e. high cost for high capabilities) is
generally adapted now a days.

MICROWAVE APPLICATIONS FOR TELECOM INDUSTRY

1.  BTS connectivity

2.  STM 1 (63 E1) ring closure

3.  BTS on spur

4.  Point of Interconnect (POI) connectivity.

(If you are not familiar with above telecommunication terms, refer tutorial on
"Introduction to basic fundamentals in telecom industry")
 FREQUENCY - MW LINKS
Frequency used in MW Links

Microwave links of short distances are generally allocated with higher

frequencies, because high frequency means high losses in air and thus it is
good to have short distances in these cases.  While for distances like 20-35
Kms or so we use lower frequencies.  Please note that the terms high and low
used for frequencies are relative and the values for these terms can be 15/18
GHz or 6/7 GHz say.

Microwave Links can be of two types

1.  SDH

2.  PDH

Frequency allocated to MW link does not depend on the type of MW link.  If

the type of MW link is to be explained in easiest possible manner, it may be as
follows.

SDH link can carry optical signals i.e. each BTS falling in this MW link will
have to have transport equipment to convert optical signal into electrical
signal.  This is good if we wish to have MW links of large no of hops and wish
to use it for ring closure.  In this case only what is required will be dropped
without disturbing the whole link.   SDH link can carry maximum of STM 1
i.e. 64 E1s as a whole for one MW ring.

PDH link can carry electrical signals i.e. all 16E1s (capacity of PDH link) will
have to be dropped in site falling in this link.  Remaining E1s can then be
retransmitted for next hop. (Hop means single MW link)

SOME PARAMETERS

For 15 GHz link, Tx and Rx bandwidth is 28 MHz.  Tx and Rx separation is

420 MHz.  This separation is defined by ITU and is there to avoid interference.

For 6 GHz link Tx and Rx separation is 152 MHz.

For 7 GHz link Tx and Rx separation is 154 MHz.

MICROWAVE LINK - FUNDAMENTALS
 

PRACTICAL VIEW - MW LINKS

 

If we wish to look at practical implementation of MW links in telecom

industry, we can start from Fig MW.4.1

Fig MW.4.1 General MW Link Setup in Field

In Door Unit (IDU) which resides in Shelter, acts as Modem i.e. Modulator
and Demodulator.  It takes electrical / optical signal and convert it into analog
(electromagnetic) which is sent to ODU (Out Door Unit).

IF cable is a co-axial cable which carries Intermediate Frequency.  Details of IF

cable can be seen in Fig MW.4.2.  You can feel free to ignore this figure and
continue.  Generally, maximum permissible length of IF cable from IDU to
ODU is 300m and frequency do not exceed 2 GHz.
                              Fig MW.4.2  IF Cable

ODU is present just near MW antenna at height in tower.  ODU performs

upconversion (acts as Mixer) to convert signal into required frequency
allocated.  For doing this ODU also have high power amplifiers and filters. 
Since ODU output is high frequency cable connecting ODU to antenna is "RF
Low Loss Cable".  Generally, for 6/7 GHz link this low loss cable is used and
for 15/18 GHz link waveguide is used to connect ODU to antenna.

POLARIZATION
 

Polarization defines the way of movement of MW waves in air.  It can be

either Linear or Circular.

Type of Polarization

1.  Linear - can be sub-divided into Vertical and Horizontal

2.  Circular

VERTICAL POLARIZATION
An electromagnetic wave is said to be following Vertical Polarization if its
electrical component is perpendicular to the horizon of earth as shown in Fig
MW.5.1

            Fig MW.5.1  Vertical Polarization

HORIZONTAL POLARIZATION

An electromagnetic wave is said to be following Horizontal Polarization if its

electrical component is parallel to the horizon of earth as shown in Fig
MW.5.2

Fig MW.5.2  Horizontal Polarization

CIRCULAR POLARIZATION

An electromagnetic wave is said to be following Circular Polarization if it

radiates electric and magnetic field in all directions i.e. they keep on rotating. 
Phase is the deciding factor here.  Don't worry about this... We generally do
not use this in MW links.

WHICH POLARIZATION IS BETTER FOR MW LINKS?

There is no straight forward answer for this question.  Definitely one can
point out Vertical Polarization as the best in first view because it is more
prone to rain fading.  Rain droplets are generally flattened with increase in
size (See Fig MW.5.3) and thus Vertical polarization is more prone and less
affected.  However, horizontal polarization is very much used to avoid
interference, in case nearby areas are using Vertical Polarization.  (See Fig
MW.5.4)

        

          Fig MW.5.3  Rain Droplets                                                Fig MW.5.4  Use of

V and H Polarization to avoid interference

So, vertical polarization is generally used for high frequency links, because
high frequencies are more prone to rain fading and horizontal polarization is
generally used to avoid interference.  However, this cannot be treated as rule. 
Each operator is free to decide.

FACTORS AFFECTING MW LINK

 

Following major phenomenon affect MW Link

1.    REFLECTION

2.    REFRACTION
3.    DIFFRACTION

4.    SCATTERING

5.    ABSORPTION

Factors affecting MW link - REFLECTION

 

REFLECTION

Reflection is one of the major factors that affect MW link.  Fig MW.7.1 explains
this phenomenon.

                Fig MW.7.1  Reflection in MW Link

Water is good reflector.  Reflected Wave can have different phase and
amplitude as compared to LOS wave.  Thus, this causes Fading of signal at
receiver and this fading is called Multi Path Fading.

To overcome this problem, we either adjust antenna heights at two ends to

avoid major source of reflection or to reduce its intensity.  Another solution is
to use Space Diversity, about which we will study later in this tutorial.

NOTE:
Trees are good absorbers.  So, if trees are present in between MW link,
chances of reflection reduces drastically.

Factors affecting MW link - REFRACTION

 

DO YOU KNOW THIS ?

Theory says that MW / electromagnetic waves travel in a straight line and

yes, they do so in vacuum.  But when it comes to atmosphere, it may come as
surprise to most of us that MW waves do not travel in a straight line. 
Phenomenon responsible for this is REFRACTION.  Density in atmosphere is
not uniform.  It varies from one place to another.  As we all know that light
ray bends towards or away from normal as it moves from higher density
medium to lower or vice versa, we can easily understand why MW waves
deviate from straight line path in atmosphere.

In homogeneous atmosphere vertical change in dielectric constant is gradual

and hence bending or refraction is continuous.  Ray is bent from thinner
density air towards thicker making it follow earth curvature. This can be
related with radii of spheres.  First radius is of earth (6370 Km approx) and
second is formed by curvature of beam of ray with its center coinciding center
of earth.

We can define K Factor using above information

K-Factor = R / R`

where

R = Radius of ray beam curvature

R` = Radius of earth

K=4/3 for earth's atmosphere.

Fig MW.8.1 shows value of K according to path traveled by MW wave.

            Fig MW.8.1  K-Factor in MW Link

Factors affecting MW link - Diffraction, Scattering &

Absorption
 

DIFFRACTION

Diffraction of wave occurs when bending takes place at sharp irregular

edges.  This diffracted wave can interfere very much with desired signal.

SCATTERING

Scattering of ray of light occurs when object it strikes is of smaller size that its
own wavelength.

ABSORPTION

Above 10 GHz, absorption in atmosphere becomes dominant.  Rain droplets

become comparable to wavelength.

This absorption can be 2 dB/Km or can be as high as 3 dB/Km in case of rain.

DIVERSITY IN MW LINKS
 

Diversity in MW Links is a sort of redundancy in network.  They also help

overcome various factors which affect MW links.

Two types of Diversity in MW links

1.  Frequency Diversity

2.  Space Diversity

Fig MW.10.1 and MW.10.2 shows these diversities respectively.

        
             Fig MW. 10.1  Frequency Diversity                                                Fig
MW.10.2  Space Diversity

Frequency Diversity calls for use of two different frequencies for same MW
link.  This is normally avoided because two frequency allocation means
double the annual fee payable for frequency. Frequency diversity is generally
meant to overcome frequency interferences and various other factors.

Space Diversity uses two MW antennas at each side and is best suited to
overcome Reflection of MW waves.  Signal is received by both antennas called
Main Antenna and Diversity Antenna and it is IDU to decide which signal to
receive.  Generally IDU receives best possible signal.  This diversity also helps
a lot in areas of high wind because if one antenna gets misaligned network
can function without fail from another.  Thus this provides a sort of
redundancy to our network.

FREE SPACE LOSS

 

Free Space Loss is defined as minimum loss an electromagnetic wave

experiences if it travels in atmosphere.  It depends from place to place.  Its
value for Kerela and Rajasthan will be different due to various factors one of
which can be humidity.  However, we may roughly define free space loss for
MW link as

Lfs  =  92.45 + 20 log (dist * freq)

where

dist = MW hop length in Kms.

freq = Frequency of MW link in GHz.

EXAMPLE

For MW link of 15 GHz and hop length 10 Kms free space loss can roughly be
calculated as
=  92.45 + 20 log ( 10 * 15)

=  135.97 dB

ANTENNA GAIN
 

Antenna Gain is the gain antenna provides to the signal before transmitting it
into air.  For parabolic antennas used for MW link, this gain is roughly

Antenna Gain = 17.8 + 20 log (f * dia)

where

f     =  Frequency in GHz

dia =  Diameter of MW antenna.

EXAMPLE

For 18 GHz MW link and 0.3 m size MW antenna, Antenna Gain will be
approx

= 17.8 + 20 log (18*0.3)

= 32.44 dBi

(Don't worry about unit dBi, refer tutorial "Introduction to dB" elsewhere on
this website.  To learn more about antennas refer tutorial on it.)

FRESNEL ZONE
 

To understand Fresnel zone we need to first refer Fig MW.12.1

          Fig MW.12.1  MW Communication

From the figure above we can see that apart from direct line of sight (LOS) we
need to leave some space above and below it to allow deviation of MW wave
from its original path.  This deviation, as already studied, is due to refraction. 
Fresnel zone is nothing but distance below and above a point which should be
clear for LOS communication.

where

rn = radius of fresnel zone.  Generally we consider n=1 i.e. first fresnel zone
clearance.

d1 = distance of point from Point A

d2 = distance of point from Point B

Lambda = Wavelength

LINK BUDGET
 
Now we will see link budget of MW link i.e. we will analyze gains and losses
and calculate received power at other end.

Refer Fig MW.13.1 before moving further.

                                         Fig MW.13.1  Link Budget for MW Link

From Fig MW.13.1 it can be seen clearly that received power at Point B can be
calculated as

RxA = TxA + GA   - Lfs   - Arain  +  GB

where

TxA = Transmit Power

GA = Gain of Antenna A

Lfs = Free Space Loss

Arain = Attenuation due to rain

GB = Gain of Antenna B

EXAMPLE

Suppose we have 6.2 GHz MW link.  Diameter of antenna at both sides is 1.8
m.  Distance is 20 Kms.  Calculate approx received power at point B, if
transmitted power at point A is 25 dBm.

SOLUTION
First we will calculate Gain of two antennas.  Since diameter is same, both
antennas will roughly have gain of

= 17.8 + 20 log (freq * dia)

= 17.8 + 20 log (6.2 * 1.8)

= 38.753 dBi

Then, we will calculate rough free space loss as

= 98.45 + 20 log (dist * freq)

= 98.45 + 20 log (20 * 6.2)

= 140.318 dBm

Finally we will calculate received power at Point B from above given

formula.  We are assuming rain attenuation as zero.

RxB = 25 + 38.753 - 140.318 - 0 + 38.753

=    - 37.812 dBm  Answer

NOTE

Receiver sensitivity is generally around -65 dBm and hence the receive power we are
getting is good and also take care of rain attenuation margin during rainy season.  It
is good practice to leave around 30 dB as rain margin.