Land Forces Academy Review

Vol. XXVIII, No. 3(111), 2023

WEB APPLICATION FOR ESTIMATING

RADIO LINK BUDGET BASED ON CHANNEL
CAPACITY AND BIT ERROR RATE
Nicoleta DĂNĂILĂ
“Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy, Sibiu, Romania
nico_danaila@yahoo.com

Mirela ȘORECĂU
“Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy, Sibiu, Romania
sorecau.mirela@armyacademy.ro

ABSTRACT
Today’s tactical communications system increasingly relies on the use of
broadband waveforms and data rates in the Mbps range. The main requirements of
a broadband tactical communications system are wide coverage, high data rate and
low power consumption. This paper presents a web application designed for
automated radio link budget analysis. The application takes into account various
parameters that are critical for establishing a reliable link, including the desired
data rate, transmit power, channel bandwidth, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bit error
rate (BER), modulation scheme, and more. Using this application, it is possible to
determine the feasibility of establishing a radio link with the available equipment
and achieving specific performance targets before deploying the equipment in the
field. This pre-assessment capability significantly increases the efficiency of the
radio link deployment process.

KEYWORDS: power efficiency, radio communications, Radio Mobile,

radio link budget, spectral efficiency

1. Introduction communication systems, as it entails

A tactical communications system is evaluating essential parameters that ensure
designed to incorporate a wide range of data, efficiency and adaptability in various
voice and video communications capabilities communication scenarios. In today’s world,
using both narrowband and wideband where the demand for high data
channels. Understanding the key transmission speeds (Şorecău, 2023) is
characteristics of a waveform is essential to ever-increasing due to data-intensive
the design, analysis and optimization of radio applications, cloud services, streaming,
communications systems (Lussier, 2006). Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G mobile
The accuracy of this information is critical to networks, data transmission rate emerges as
ensuring efficient data transmission a critical factor in any communication
and secure communications in setup. Satisfying this requirement is
various applications, especially military becoming a priority for all sectors,
communications. including the military, and is essential to
Waveform characterization is a ensure uninterrupted communications.
fundamental aspect of modern

DOI: 10.2478/raft-2023-0027
© 2023 Nicoleta Dănăilă et al. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 License.

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 Another vital parameter that
significantly influences communication
systems is the coverage area (Yarkoni,
2007). Especially in mobile operations,
maintaining continuous and flexible
connections across a wide area is critical.
The coverage area is influenced by several
factors, including frequency, transmit
power, terrain, antennas, and environmental
conditions. Designing a waveform that
optimizes coverage while ensuring reliable
connections is of utmost importance.
In the context of real-world
communication environments, robustness
plays a key role. A robust waveform is
designed to maintain stable communication
links even in the presence of interference,
noise, and fading, which are common
challenges faced in wireless communication
scenarios. By addressing these challenges,
robust waveforms enhance the overall
reliability of the communication system.
Spectral efficiency is another critical
consideration, especially when dealing with
limited frequency spectra. The objective
here is to carry as much information as
possible while maintaining high data
throughput. Maximizing spectral efficiency
is essential to accommodate the ever-
increasing demand for data transmission
and to make the most of the available
frequency resources.
Moreover, the suitability of a
waveform is greatly determined by its
resistance to jamming attempts. Utilizing
techniques such as frequency hopping,
information spectrum spreading, and
encryption enhances a waveform’s ability
to counter jamming attempts, which have
become increasingly common in modern
communications protocols (Sârbu, 2023).
This aspect is vital not only in military
applications but also in civilian settings
where interference, intentional or
unintentional, poses a threat to
communication systems. The choice of
modulation technique also has a significant
impact on the bandwidth required for a
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system. In turn, the link requirements
dictate the choice of modulation. Striking a
balance between factors like bandwidth
utilization and power consumption is
essential to ensure the best trade-off and
achieve optimal efficiency in the system
(Kim, 2009).
To accurately plan radio links
and deploy equipment, a thorough
understanding of the technical
specifications and specific field
requirements is crucial. Various radio link
simulation applications are available, but
they might not always be suitable for
evaluating links solely based on equipment
visibility and free space losses. Planning a
radio link requires considering the desired
data transfer rate, noise levels, modulation
scheme, link margin and the SNR required
to ensure a certain level of reliability in
terms of BER at the receiver (Singh, 2017).
In this context, the paper introduces a
web application that facilitates
comprehensive radio link budgeting. With
an intuitive interface, the application
automatically calculates various parameters,
catering to the specific requirements of link
creation. This proves to be a significant
time-saving aspect, especially in urgent
real-world operational scenarios.
Additionally, the application serves as a
valuable educational tool, helping students
in understanding and applying radio link
budgeting concepts effectively.
The integration of simulations with
Radio Mobile further enhances the
application's capabilities. The combination
of features offered by this application
makes it a powerful and versatile solution
for radio link planning and simulation
requirements, benefitting both professionals
and students alike. By enabling efficient
link budget calculations and assisting in
radio link planning, the application
contributes to reliable and effective
communication between devices.
 2. Materials and Methods In the second section, users can explore
The HTML site serves as an Bit Error Rate (BER) analysis, a critical
educational resource for individuals aspect of digital communications.
interested in communications concepts, The content explains what BER represents
BER analysis, and link budget calculations. and its importance in evaluating the
Its combination of informative content, performance of digital communication
interactive elements, and credible systems. Illustrations and real-life examples
references makes it a valuable tool for aid in understanding how errors occur during
students, educators, and enthusiasts seeking data transmission and how BER quantifies
to deepen their understanding of modern the quality of a communication link.
communications technologies. Interactive graphs and tables allow users to
The first section serves as an experiment with different error rates and
informative introduction to the fundamental observe their impact on data reliability.
concepts of communications. It provides a The Link Budget Calculator section
concise overview of various provides an interactive tool for analyzing
communication modes, including wired and wireless communication links. Users can
wireless communication. The content enter parameters such as transmission
highlights the significance of capacity, modulation, signal-to-noise ratio
communication in modern society, (SNR), and equipment characteristics.
emphasizing its role in connecting people The calculator performs intricate calculations,
and enabling seamless information including path loss, antenna gains, and fade
exchange. Engaging visual elements and margin, providing comprehensive insights
clear explanations make this section into the link’s feasibility and performance.
accessible to all audiences, including Real-time updates enable users to observe
students and enthusiasts looking to grasp changes in link parameters instantly,
the basics of communication. promoting a better understanding of how
different factors affect communication links.

Figure no. 1: HTML page interface

(Source: Authors)

The provided HTML code analyzing wireless communication systems.

implements a Link Budget Calculator, The code behind is a brief overview of
which is a useful tool for designing and critical parameters.

224
 Figure no. 2: HTML code
(Source: Authors)
The Link Budget Calculator serves as a
valuable educational tool in schools,
particularly for students studying
telecommunications, wireless communication,
or networking. With this calculator, students
can delve into the fundamental concepts of
link budgets, gaining a deeper understanding
of critical calculations like signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR), path loss, and antenna gains.
By incorporating the calculator into hands-on
assignments or projects, teachers can provide
real-world scenarios for exploration. Students
can experiment with various parameters, such
as transmission capacity, modulation, Eb/N0,
fade margin, and more. Through this
hands-on experience, they can observe
firsthand how these factors affect the overall
performance and reliability of wireless
communication links. The interactive nature
of the calculator fosters active learning and
empowers students to make informed
decisions about link design and optimization.
By adjusting various parameters, they can
assess the effects on signal strength and
quality, allowing them to understand the
importance of link budgets in wireless
communication system design. By integrating
this tool into the curriculum, schools can
provide students with practical skills and
knowledge, that will prepare them for future
careers in telecommunications and related
fields. Whether in the classroom or for
independent study, the Link Budget
Calculator provides an engaging platform for
students to explore the intricacies of
wireless communications and link budget
analysis.

Figure no. 3: Link budget calculator interface

(Source: Authors)

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 A link budget is a comprehensive
accounting of all the gains and losses in a
communication link, starting from the
transmitter to the receiver. It helps evaluate
the performance of the link by comparing
the received signal strength to the minimum
required power for a given quality of
service. And that is why link budgets are
crucial:
Performance Prediction: link budgets
allow engineers to predict the performance
of a wireless link before deployment.
It helps ensure that the link meets the
desired quality and reliability.
Optimization: engineers can optimize
various parameters like transmit power,
antenna gains, and receiver sensitivity to
achieve the best link performance and
coverage.
Troubleshooting: when a wireless link
experiences issues, a link budget analysis
can help identify potential causes like
excessive path loss or insufficient received
power.
Cost-Efficiency: by accurately
estimating the required equipment and
power levels, link budgets help minimize
unnecessary expenses and avoid over-
engineering.
The Link Budget Calculator provided
above serves as a valuable educational and
practical tool for understanding and
planning wireless communication systems.
Whether used in schools for educational
purposes or in industry for network design,
link budgets play a crucial role in ensuring
effective and reliable wireless connectivity.
3. Results and Discussions
The Link Budget Calculator provided
is a user-friendly web-based tool that serves
as an excellent starting point for basic link
budget calculations. It allows users to
quickly assess key parameters such as
226
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), path loss, and
antenna gains. This simple calculator is
particularly useful for educational purposes
and preliminary feasibility assessments,
offering an easy-to-use interface and fast
results. Students, beginners, and individuals
seeking to grasp the fundamentals of link
budget analysis can benefit from its
interactive nature, allowing them to
experiment with different input values and
observe how they influence the overall link
performance.
3.1. Proposed Scenario
In a particular scenario, all these
measurements will be conducted within the
radius of Bihor County, with the following
data: LINK radio relay, modulation type:
BPSK to 256 QAM, cable loss per meter:
0.25dB, BER (Bit Error Rate):
10-6, antenna mast height: 21 m, antenna
gain: 30 dBi, link availability: 99%,
maximum transmit power: 35 dBm, link
distance: 35 km, minimum transfer capacity
(Mbps): 102, frequency: 5 GHz.
The modulation will be M = BPSK,
following the results:
I. C = Rb= 102 Mbps = 102*106 bits/s
(1)
where: B is the bandwidth and M is the
factor modulation.
∙
⇒ B = 51 MHz
N0[dBm/Hz] = 10lg(kT) = -174 [dBm/Hz] (2)
where N0 is the thermal noise
expressed in dBm on a bandwidth
N0 = - 174 + 10log10(B) ⇒ - 96,9 dBm
For a BER = 10-6 with BPSK
modulation, the Eb/N0 ratio is 10.5 dB
(Figure no. 4).
 Figure no. 3: BER Value
(Source: MATLAB)
SNR=(Eb/N0)(Rb/B) (3)
where Eb represents the energy per
bit; N0 represents the one-sided power
spectral density of the noise in the
communication channel; Rb represents the
bit rate
SNR=(Eb/N0)[dB]+(Rb/B)[dB] (4)
SNR=14 dB
SNR=Signal Power[dB]-Noise Power[dB] (5)
Minimum PRx power[dB] = -83.41 dBm
where PRx represents the received
power
II. Loss analysis:
Link availability: 99% ⇒ Fade
margin=18 dB
Gains=60 dBi, 30 dBi for each
antenna
Cable loss per meter: 0.25 dB
Antenna mast height: 21m
Total losses are 10.5 dB, for 21m of
cable for each antenna with a loss of
0.25 dB/m.
FSPL=20log10(d)+20log10(F)+32.44 (6)
where FSPL represents Free Space
Path Loss, the distance (d) is expressed in
km, and the frequency (F) in MHz.
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We choose the frequency from the
range 4.4 GHz to 5.875 GHz, specifically 5
GHz.
FSPL = 20log10(35)+20log10(5000)+32.44 ⇒
137.29 dB
PRx=PTx+Gains–Losses–FSPL–Fade_margin
(6)
PTx=PRx–
Gains+Losses+FSPL+Fade_margin(7)
⇒ PTx = 34.20 dBm
The transmitted power (PTx) has a
value of 34.20 dBm, taking into account the
received power, the transmitting antenna
gain, the receiving antenna gain, cable
losses for each antenna, free space path
loss, and the fade margin determined for
99% link availability.
3.2. Link Budget Calculator
Scenario
Using the same values for the critical
parameters (Figure no. 5), the Link Budget
Calculator completed the previous steps in
less than 10 seconds with better accuracy.
 Figure no. 5: Link Budget Calculator
(Source: Authors)

Within the context of learning, the critical parameter known as the modulation
imperative of making well-informed index. By skillfully manipulating this
decisions cannot be overstated, as it is a parameter, communication systems can
pivotal factor in attaining optimal results. achieve enhanced spectral efficiency
The Link Budget Calculator, with its without compromising on error
emphasis on expediency and effectiveness, performance. Such an illustration
assumes a central role in this process. When underscores the paramount importance of
delving into the domain of link budget the Link Budget Calculator as an essential
analysis, our focus gravitates towards tool in making informed decisions,
achieving outcomes that augment both ultimately leading to the realization of
spectral and power efficiency. superior outcomes in wireless
To elucidate this perspective, we shall communication network design and
exemplify the pivotal role played by a implementation.

228
 Figure no. 6: 8PSK
(Source: Authors)

As a result of changing the significant understanding of the

modulation index to 8PSK, another interdependent relationship between these
parameter’s value will also be changed. parameters. Consequently, the Eb/N0 ratio
The modification is driven by the is now 14 (as depicted in Figure no. 7).

Figure no. 7: Eb/N0 values

(Source: MATLAB)
By applying the link budget, it is
possible to make an immediate decision on
the use of a given modulation so that, for the
same required transmission rate, both the
spectral efficiency and the power efficiency
can be guaranteed. Analyzing the two cases
presented, it can be seen that using a
modulation with a higher packing factor
ensures spectral efficiency (smaller
bandwidth), but increases the transmit power
level (decreases power efficiency – case 2).
3.3. Improvements and Updates in
Radio Mobile using Link Budget
Calculator
Radio Mobile is a sophisticated
software widely used in the industry for
professional radio planning and

229
optimization of wireless communication
networks, but to be able to understand what
the application can do, the calculator serves
as a valuable learning and optimization
tool. Unlike the calculator, Radio Mobile
provides a comprehensive approach to link
budget analysis. It incorporates advanced
simulation capabilities, considering
complex factors such as terrain data, clutter
information, building heights, vegetation,
and obstructions. These critical issues have
a significant impact on radio coverage and
link performance in real-world scenarios.
In order to have a Radio Mobile analyse
and to see the Link budget in the
application, some of the parameters have to
be calculated before, such as Bandwidth,
SNR, Modulation. In contrast, the Link
Budget Calculator provided earlier offers a
more convenient and comprehensive
approach. The calculator automatically
calculates various parameters critical for
establishing a reliable link, including data
rate, transmit power, channel bandwidth,
SNR, BER, modulation scheme, antenna
gains, and more. This automated process
Figure no. 8: Radio Mobile Link Budget interface after adjusting data with Link Budget Calculator
(Souce: Radio Mobile Application Software)
230
saves time and eliminates the need for users
to manually enter each parameter, reducing
the potential for errors and ensuring more
accurate results.
By integrating the Link Budget
Calculator into Radio Mobile, the software’s
capabilities can be further enhanced. Users
can easily import the calculated link budget
parameters from the calculator into Radio
Mobile, streamlining the radio planning
process. This integration simplifies the task
for network planners, as they can directly
access the pre-calculated link budget
parameters, eliminating the need to input
them individually in Radio Mobile.
Additionally, the Link Budget Calculator’s
interactive nature allows users to experiment
with different input values and instantly
observe their impact on the link budget. This
real-time feedback enables users to fine-tune
parameters and optimize the link design
before deploying the equipment in the field.
The ability to quickly explore different
scenarios helps engineers make informed
decisions and plan more efficient and reliable
communication links.
 4. Conclusions
The Link Budget Calculator provides
a user-friendly and accessible platform for
basic link budget calculations. It offers a
quick and straightforward way to assess
critical parameters like signal-to-noise ratio
(SNR) and path loss, making it an excellent
tool for educational purposes and initial
feasibility assessments.
Radio Mobile, a sophisticated
software widely used in the industry, offers
a comprehensive approach to link budget
analysis. It incorporates advanced modeling
capabilities and considers complex factors
like terrain data and clutter information,
providing more accurate predictions for
radio coverage and link performance in
real-world scenarios.
The Link Budget Calculator is a
valuable educational tool for students
studying telecommunications and wireless
communication. It fosters active learning
and empowers students to experiment with
different parameters, gaining a deeper
understanding of link budget concepts.
Link budgets play a crucial role in
communication system design, enabling
engineers to predict link performance,
optimize parameters, troubleshoot issues,
and minimize unnecessary expenses.
Whether using the calculator for initial
assessments or Radio Mobile for
professional planning, link budgets are
essential for ensuring reliable and effective
wireless communication systems.
In summary, integrating the HTML
Link Budget Calculator with Radio Mobile
offers several advantages. It simplifies the
input process, reduces the chances of errors,
provides real-time feedback, and serves
as a valuable pre-assessment tool.
The combination of these two tools can
significantly enhance the capabilities of
Radio Mobile, making it even more powerful
for radio planning and optimization in various
communication scenarios.

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