Introduction to Microwave

Tuesday, February 07, 2012 13:01

What is Microwave? - refers to electromagnetic energy having a frequency higher than 1 GHz corresponding to wavelength shorter than 30 cm. - micrometric waves - UHF to EHF Applications of Microwave Telecommunications cellular phone broadcast communication Navigation GPS (Global Positioning System) Tracking Devices RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging)

Industrial Field Household What is a Microwave Link? - simply a high-frequency (RF) link specifically designed to provide connection between two specific points. - a widely employed broadband transmission medium commonly used to transport signals. - also called as LOS (line-of-sight), radio link, point-to-point communication.
An "LOS" is a straight path, unobstructed by the horizon between a transmitting and receiving antenna. Nature of Microwave System a microwave system is said to be "analog" or "digital" depending on the nature of signal it carries. a. analog - radio frequency transmission b. digital - used to carry digital signals.

Models of Microwave System Simplex one- way transmission

Half-Duplex asynchronous two-way transmission Full-Duplex simultaneous two-way transmission Models according to Transmission Length - refers to separation between station (TX RX) 1. Short Haul 2. Medium Haul 3. Long Haul Historical Perspective

Microwave Systems Page 1

1887 1897 1919 1931 1933

Heinrich Hertz generates radio waves and demonstrate that they shave the same properties as light. Guglielmo Marconi files his first patent on wireless transmission by radio. In 1901, he demonstrated radio telegraphy. Heinrich Barkhausen invented Burkhausen tube which made it possible to build effective oscillators at frequencies above 300 MHz. Andre G. Clavier directed the setting up and demonstration of a microwave link between Dover, England and Calais, France. Guglielmo Marconi installed a microwave link between The Vatican and the summer residence of the Pope, a distance of 15 miles.

Mid 1930s George C. Southworth & W. L. Barrow

invented hallow waveguides.

1939 1940 1944 1955 1960 R. H. Varian & S. F. Varian invented the Klystron Tube J. I. Randall & H. A. H Boot developed the high-power cavity magnetron. R. Komptner invented the Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) Navender Kapany demonstrates the optical fiber as low-loss, light transmission medium. J. B. Gunn developed the Gunn Diode Microwave Frequency Band Standard Radar Frequency Letter-Band Nomenclature (ITU-R) Band Designator Frequency (GHz) L-Band S-Band 1-2 2-4 (GHz) 1.5 2.5 Wavelength in Free Space (cm) 30.00 - 15.00 15.00 - 7.50

C-Band
X-Band Ku-Band K-Band Ka-Band V-Band W-Band

4-8
8 - 12 12 - 18 18 - 27 27 - 40 40 - 75 75 - 110

4/6
11/14 & 12/14 20 30

7.50 - 3.80
3.80 - 2.50 2.50 - 1.70 1.70 - 1.10 1.10 - 0.75 0.75 - 0.40 0.40 - 0.27

Wavelength Classifications (ITU-R) Band Name ELF ELF ELF Frequency 30 - 300 mHz 0.3 - 3 Hz 3 - 30 Hz Wavelength gigametric waves hectometric waves decamegametric waves
Microwave Systems Page 2

ELF

3 - 30 Hz

decamegametric waves

ELF
VLF VLF LF MF HF VHF

30 - 300 Hz
0.3 - 3 kHz 3 - 30 kHz 30 - 300 kHz 0.3 - 3 MHz 3 - 30 MHz 30 - 300 MHz

megametric waves
hectokilometric waves myriametric waves kilometric waves hectometric waves decametric waves metric waves

UHF
SHF EHF THF THF

0.3 - 3 GHz
3 - 30 GHz 30 - 300 GHz 0.3 - 3 THz 3 - 30 THz

decimetric waves
millimetric waves centimetric waves decimillimetric waves centimillimetric waves

THF
THF

30 - 300 THz
0.3 - 3 PHz

micrometric waves
decimicrometric waves

User Assignments (ITU-R) Op-fixed (Operational Fixed) - microwave links for the general public typically used by non-telecommunication facilities. Frequency assignment is not changeable. CC (Common Carrier) - Microwave links designated to common carrier facilities, which provide telecommunication services to the public. GOVT (Government) - Microwave links use by government office although, this frequency may be offered by the government to the public for use. DTS (Data Termination Service) - Digital microwave links which connect data termination equipment to one another. Bandwidth Assignments (ITU-R) NB (Narrow Band) - Digital channels having medium speed transmission (6-10 MHz). WB (Wide Band) - Digital channels having high-speed transmission. Route & Site Selection A. Order of Procedure

operational requirements traffic studies expansion potentials relativity requirements cost studies

B. Site Considerations
Microwave Systems Page 3

B. Site Considerations 1. Full description of each site: -

Geographical coordinates Political subdivisions Access roads Physical objects

2. Any unusual weather conditions to be expected in the area. 3. Description of the physical characteristics of the site indicating the amount of leveling required, removal of rocks, trees or other structures. 4. The relationship of the site to any commercial, military or private airport within several miles. This information is needed to determine compliance with government regulations on potential destructions to air traffic. 5. The mean sea level elevation of the site at the recommended tower location and the effect on the elevation of any necessary leveling. 6. A full description or recommendation for an access road from the most improved road to the proposed building location. 7. The nearest location where commercial electric power of suitable secondary or distribution voltage may be obtained and the name and office location of the power company.

8. If telephone communication is desired, the nearest telephone facility should be indicated together with the name of the company and the type of service available.
C. Microwave Paths: General Appreciation of Path Influences Microwave Beams refers to the line representing the longitudinal center of the beam or main lobe particularly when discussing LOS clearances. 1. Influence of Terrain & Obstructions a. diffraction b. refraction c. reflection

2. Influence of Weather
a. Rain and fog - at microwave frequency from 11-12 GHz or above attenuation is very serious. Thus, short distances or short microwave paths are recommended. D. Sources of Path Data 1. Topographical Map 2. Satellite Imagery (Google Earth) 3. Aerial Photography Earth Bulge - refers to the number of feet or meters an obstacle is raised higher in elevation owing earth curvature.

Microwave Systems Page 4

where d1
d2 eb

distance from a point to one end of the path

distance from the same point to the other end of the path earth bulge

Effective Earth Bulge (Earth Curvature)

where k effective earth radius factor

The k-factor is a numerical figure that considers the non-ideal condition of the atmosphere resulting to atmospheric refraction that causes the ray beam to be bent toward the earth or away from the earth.

Effective Earth Radius

where ro Ns true Earth radius surface refractivity

Surface Refractivity (Ns)

where NO hs Earth Curve Condition k<1 Sub-standard Condition microwave beam is bent away from the earth. mean sea-level refractivity altitude or height of the potential site

k=4/3
k>4/3

Standard Condition
Earth radius appears to the microwave beams to be longer than the true Earth radius. Super Standard Condition results in an effective flattening of the equivalent Earth's curvature.
Microwave Systems Page 5

results in an effective flattening of the equivalent Earth's curvature.

k=

Infinity Condition (Flat Earth Condition)

Results to zero curvature, and the beam follows the curvature of the Earth.

Effective Height

or

where Ha Fresnel Zone Radius - amount of additional clearance that must be allowed to avoid problems in LOS. actual obstruction height

or

For higher Fresnel:

where n Total Height Extended refers to the nth Fresnel zone

where

ec
%F1 veg

Earth's Curvature
percentage of Fresnel Zone refers to clearance provided for any obstruction seen 10 m (trees) 20 m (buildings)

Microwave Link Engineering A. Link Engineering Steps

Microwave Systems Page 6

A. Link Engineering Steps 1. Selection of sites (radio equipment plus tower locations) that are LOS to each other. 2. Selection of an operational frequency band, considering RF interference environment and legal restraints. 3. Development of Path Profiles to determine radio tower heights. 4. Path calculations (unit budget calculation). 5. Making a path survey to the correctness of Steps 1-4. (optional)

6. Establishment of frequency plan and necessary operational parameters.

7. Equipment configuration to achieve the fade margins set in Step 4 most economically. 8. Installation. 9. Beam alignment equipment line up, checkout and acceptance by customer. B. Planning Guide 1. Determine the condition for putting up a microwave link by establishing the purpose of the microwave link. Example:

A microwave link is to connect the digital PABX system located at the office buildings at site A and B. Path Length
Traffic Capacity

25 km
4 E1 (main) plus 4 E1 (spare) = 8 E1

Reliability Requirements 99.99%

2. Obtain the product specification sheet of a microwave radio which meets the requirements. Example: http://www.dmcwave.com http://www.microwave.harris.com 3. Obtain a topographical map which both sites are considered.

4. Determine the frequency band required.

CCIR from (km) to (km) frequency (GHz) 0 3 5 10 15 35 45 3 5 10 15 35 45 60 26 23 18 15 13 10 8
Microwave Systems Page 7

45

60

5. Determine the Channel Available - the channel plans are based on the frequency band and the bandwidth (multiplexed digital rate) of the traffic being carried. Band (GHz) Frequency Range (GHz) Low Band (GHz) High Band (GHz) 38 26 23 18 15 13 10 07 From the example: Use the 13-GHz Band Low Band High Band 12.75 - 12.98 GHz 13.01 - 13.12 GHz 37.00 - 40.00 24.50 - 26.50 21.20 - 23.60 17.70 - 19.70 14.20 - 15.37 12.75 - 13.25 10.70 - 11.70 7.10 - 8.50 37.00 - 38.60 24.50 - 25.60 21.20 - 22.45 17.70 - 18.90 14.20 - 14.93 12.75 - 12.98 10.70 - 11.20 07.10 - 07.90 38.30 - 40.00 25.40 - 25.60 22.35 - 23.60 18.35 - 19.70 14.37 - 15.37 13.01 - 13.25 11.20 - 11.70 07.70 - 08.50

Duplex Spacing

260 MHz
14 MHz

Channel Bandwidth 8 E1

Frequency Planning Choose the number of Arbitrary Channels

Let n = 5 14 MHz 5 = 70 MHz Low Band:

12.75 GHz + 70 MHz = 12.82 GHz High Band: 13.01 GHz + 70 MHz = 13.08 GHz Channel Low Band (GHz) High Band (GHz) 1 12.764 13.024

2
3 4 5

12.778
12.792 12.806 12.820

13.038
13.052 13.066 13.080

Microwave Systems Page 8

6. Compute the minimum elevation at Site A and Site B which would clear earth curvature.

k-factor
2.50

Terrain Type
low ground humidity fog over cold water above normal low level ground temperature

2.75

high ground humidity

steam
fog over warm water 1.25, 4/3, 1.60 dry mountains typical inlands humid & coastal uniform & homogenous 7. Path Profile - create a table plotting points along the path and identifying possible sources of reflection and obstructions. Distance from A Distance from B Path Elevation Earth Curvature Terrain (km) (km) (m) (m) Type 0 25 F1 (m) THE (m)

1
2 25

24
23 0

*terrain type allowances tree building 10 m 20 m

rural area 10 m 8. Tower Height Calculations Condition 1 Maximum Tower Height is defined
Condition 2 No Maximum Tower Height is defined Condition 3 With or Without Maximum Tower Height is defined

Microwave Link Budget Calculations

Link Budget
Microwave Systems Page 9

Link Budget - identifies the system parameters and is used to determine the projected carrier-to-noise ratio and the received signal level at both microwave station receivers.

Design Parameters
Transmit Parameters 1. Transmitter Power

2. Transmitter Transmission Line Loss

where Lm miscellaneous loss

3. Transmitter Antenna Gain

where D f c diameter frequency speed of light

Expressing in dB,

or

4. Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)

Expressing in dBW,

or L_Tx Path Parameters

1. Free Space Loss (FSL)

Microwave Systems Page 10

General Solution,

where D f In dB, path distance frequency (GHz)

2. Isotropic Received Level (IRL)

or

Receive Parameters 1. Receive Antenna Gain

In dB,

or

2. Receiver Transmission Line Loss

3. Net Path Loss (NPL)

or

4. Received Signal Level (RSL)

or

Microwave Systems Page 11

RSL must be greater than the Receiver Sensitivity for optimum reception
5. Noise Threshold

6. Carrier-to-Noise Ratio (C/N)

System Parameters 1. Improvement Threshold

2. Fade Margin - a factor included in the system gain equation that considers the non-ideal and less predictable characteristic for radiowave propagation such as multipath propagation & terrain sensitivity.

in terms of Propagation Parameters,

where a b surface factor climate factor

Reliability
Description smooth terrain over water

Surface Factor 4.00 1.00 0.25

desert
average terrain with some roughness mountains very rough very dry terrain Climate Factor Description
Microwave Systems Page 12

Climate Factor

Description

0.500
0.250 0.125 Rayleigh Table

hot humid coastal area

normal interior temperature mountainous, very dry but not reflective terrain

Propagation Reliability Required FM (dB) 90 99 99.9 8 18 28

99.99
99.999 99.9999

38
48 58

3. Reliability (%R) - refers to the percentage of time a system or link meets preferred requirements.

where

outage amount of time that the requirement will not be meet 4. System Gain (GS) - the difference between the nominal output power of a transmitter and the minimum required by a receiver.

Microwave Systems Page 13