Brief

Link budget calculations

Fresnel Zone Clearance Calculations
1. Line of Sight
2. Minimum Antenna Height For Line of Sight
3. Fresnel Zone (Mid Point)
4. Minimum Antenna Height (Equal Antenna Height Solution)
5. Graph Parameters
6. K-Factor
The line-of-sight link section allows you to calculate the line-of-sight that it is possible to achieve when the heights of two antennas are
known. The line-of-sight calculated only means that the two antennas can see each other, this will not mean that an adequate lin
possible!
This section provides a means to calculate the minimum height which would be required to obtain a line of sight link. Enter the link
distance in the first box and the minimum height of each antenna (only if they are both to be mounted at the same height) will be
calculated.

If it is not possible to mount both antennas at the heights calculated, the fixed height of one antenna can be entered and the height
required for the second antenna will be calculated
Enter the link distance and frequency of operation and the first Fresnel zone radius can be calculated. The value stated is t he midpoint
of the Fresnel zone, which if the antennas are of the same height, is where the lowest point of the Fresnel zone will be. A Fresnel zone
clearance of at least 60% from an obstruction is required
To obtain a reliable link a line of sight link must first be established. Then the Fresnel zone needs to be taken into account and the
antenna mounting height increased to obtain a reliable link. . Enter the link distance, frequency of the link and the k-factor. The minimum
height of each antenna will then be calculated to provide 100% and 60% clearance of the Fresnel zone by automatically taking int
account the Fresnel zone and line-of-sight link.
If the antennas are to be mounted at heights other than that calculated under the minimum height required
section, then the graph can be used in a trial -and-error approach, the results of which are updated
automatically on the graph. Enter the link distance, both antennas heights Frequency, and k-factor.
k=1.33
k=1
Earth
If the infrastructure of the link has been designed so that at least 60% of the Fresnel zone is clear from obstruction, then a link budget
calculation can then be produced to ensure that a reliable link will be obtained. It is possible to penetrate the Fresnel zone further but
this will have a detrimental effect on data throughput.
Two obtain a reliable RF link the first thing to consider is whether there is a line-of-sight link between the two antennas in the RF link. At
large distances the curvature of the earth needs to be taken into account to ensure a line-of sight link is achievable. Having a line of
sight link is not sufficient on its own to obtain a reliable link, the Fresnel zones also need to be taken into account. Fres nel zones are
'imaginary' ellipsoid shapes around the direct path of an RF link. The optimal design of the link should keep 60% of the firs t Fresnel
zone clear of obstruction and ideally no more. Any even Fresnel zone should not be allowed to have any points of reflection a t a
tangent to its radius (e.g. the sea) as this will lower the fade margin of the link as destructive waves will arrive at the r eceiver cancelling
out the direct RF signal. If it is not possible to avoid having more than 60% of the first Fresnel zone clear, the designer s hould aim to
have an odd numbered Fresnel zone 'touching' to the surface between the two antennas, this means any reflections off of this Fre
zone will not reduce the fade margin.
It is dependant on the link distance, antenna heights and frequency of the RF signal. Adding the heights of the antennas need ed
line-of-sight link and also adding the extra height to the antennas needed to keep the Fresnel zone clear of obstruction will pr ovide the
height needed for the antennas to obtain a reliable point -to-point link so that no obstructions are in the way of the RF path
To obtain an optimal point-to-point link, a line-of-sight link, Fresnel zone clearance and a good link budget is required. This spreadsheet
lets you calculate the antenna heights required to obtain an an optimal point-to-point link and also allows the calculation of the RF link
budget. Select the worksheet at the bottom of the screen depending on the calculation required.
The K-factor is used to change the effective radius of the earth. It is due to the
atmospheric refraction of RF waves causing them to bend downwards as shown in the
diagram opposite (typical k-factor = 4/3) or to bend the RF signal upwards away from the
earth (k-factor less than 1). The K-factor is an important part of any RF link design, it is
suggested to use a k-factor of 4/3, 1, 3/4 and 1/2 when performing any link analysis, as
should the k-factor change on a day to day basis due to the weather, the link should
always be operational.

antennas are
sight calculated only means that the two antennas can see each other, this will not mean that an adequate link is
he link
l be
e height
he midpoint
resnel zone
nd the
The minimum
height of each antenna will then be calculated to provide 100% and 60% clearance of the Fresnel zone by automatically taking into
k=1.33
ink budget
urther but
he RF link. At
of sight link is achievable. Having a line of
zones are
t Fresnel
zone clear of obstruction and ideally no more. Any even Fresnel zone should not be allowed to have any points of reflection at a
iver cancelling
ld aim to
have an odd numbered Fresnel zone 'touching' to the surface between the two antennas, this means any reflections off of this Fresnel
It is dependant on the link distance, antenna heights and frequency of the RF signal. Adding the heights of the antennas needed for a
sight link and also adding the extra height to the antennas needed to keep the Fresnel zone clear of obstruction will pr ovide the
spreadsheet
he RF link
1. Line of Sight 3. Fresnel Zone (Mid Point)
Antenna 1 Height (m) Link Distance (km) 1
Antenna 2 Height (m) 1 Frequency (GHz) 2.4
Line of Sight (km) 3.57 FrMax (m) 100% 5.59
FrMax (m) 60% 3.35
2. Minimum Antenna Height for Line of Sight
4. Minimum Antenna Height
(Equal Antenna Height Solution)
Link Distance (km) 1
Link Distance (km) 1
Antenna Height (m) (Equal Height Solution) 0.02 Frequency (GHz) 2.4
K-Factor 1
Antenna 1 Height (m) (lowest antenna) 1
Minimum Height Per Antenna 100% 5.61
Antenna 2 Height (m) (highest antenna) 0.52 Minimum Height Per Antenna 60% 3.37
5. Graph Parameters
Link Distance (km) 1
Frequency (GHz) 2.4
K-Factor 1
Antenna 1 Height (m) 1
Antenna 2 Height (m) 1
See the Fresnel Guidance
worksheet for information on
how to obtain an optimal RF
link and also for information
on how to use this minimum
Fresnel clearance worksheet.
Use the buttons to the right to
show/hide the various Fresnel
zones.
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
-600 -400 -200 0 200 400 600
H
e
i
g
h
t

(
m
)

Distance (m)
Graph of Fresnel Zone Dependant on Antenna Height and Frequency
Earth
LOS
1st Fresnel 60%
1st Fresnel 100%
Hide 100% of
Fresnel Zone
Show 100% of
Fresnel Zone
Hide 100% of
Fresnel Zone
RF Calculator Maximum Safe EIRP in Ex Areas
Gas Group IIC
Gas Group IIB
Gas Group IIA
Transmitting Approx. Climate Propagation Losses (dB/km)
Transmitter output power (dBm) Type 2.4GHz 5GHz
Cable Loss Drizzle (0.25mm/h) 0.001 0.001
-Length (m) Fog(0.1g/m^3) 0.001 0.001
-Cable loss dB/m (Varies with Frequency -
See cable specs) Heavy Rain (25mm/h) 0.005 0.02
-Connector Loss (dB) Excessive Rain (150mm/h) 0.01 0.1
Antenna Gain (dBi) Snow 0.01 0.1
Sandstorm 0.1 0.25
Total Transmit (dBm) 1 mW
Approx. Obstacle losses (dB)
Propagation Building Material 2.4 Ghz 5 Ghz
Free space loss (dB) Plasterboard (2cm) 3 5
-Total Point to Point Link Distance(km) Hollow Wooden Door (5 cm) 3 6
-Frequency (Ghz) Glass Window (1.5cm) 3 7
Total Climate Losses (dB) Solid Wooden Door (5cm) 4 7
-Climate Loss A (dB/km) Double Glazed Glass (4cm) 13 20
-Distance (km) Steel Door (5cm) 14 23
-Climate Loss B (dB/km) Brick Wall (15cm) 14 18
-Distance (km) Concrete Wall (20cm) 30 38
Extra Propagation Losses (dB)
Approx. Selected Cable Losses (dB/m)
Total propagation (dB) Cable 2.4 Ghz 5 Ghz
LMR-400 0.222 0.326
Receiving RG58 0.813 1.24
Antenna gain RG213 0.406 0.65
Cable loss RG223 0.716 1.09
-Length (m)
-Cable loss dB/m (Varies with Frequency -
See cable specs) Approx. Tree losses (dB per metre)
-Connector Loss (dB) Attenuation from trees can vary greatly depending on
Receiver Sensitivity (dBm) the amount of leaves on the trees and if they are wet.
It is advised to avoid pointing RF through trees however
Total Power At Receiver (dBm) At 2.4Ghz the attenuation is typically 0.5dB/m
At 5.8GHz the attenuation is typically 1.2dB/m
Total Margin Remaining (dB) 0
Copyright Extronics Ltd 2009
Fill in all the boxes shaded grey and click calculate to find your link budget. Click
reset to clear all inputted data, or just change each part individually and the data will
automatically change.
If a box turns red it means the link is not good enough (total margin remaining), or
too powerful for the various Ex areas.