Chapter 18 Terrestrial Microwave

Communication Systems
Objectives

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

18.3 Path Calculations

18.4 Fixed Microwave Links

18.5 Local Microwave Distribution systems

 Chapter 18 Terrestrial Microwave
Communication Systems
Objectives

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

18.3 Path Calculations

18.4 Fixed Microwave Links

18.5 Local Microwave Distribution systems

Objectives
After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
Describe the basic structure and uses of microwave radio
links,
Explain the methods used in choosing site for repeaters,
Calculate the signal strength at the receiver for a variety of
transmitter, antenna, and terrain configurations
Calculate the required clearance of a microwave path from an
obstacle,
Calculate the noise temperature and carrier-to-noise level of a
microwave system,
Objectives
After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
Describe the basic structure and uses of microwave radio
links,
Explain the methods used in choosing site for repeaters,
Calculate the signal strength at the receiver for a variety of
transmitter, antenna, and terrain configurations
Calculate the required clearance of a microwave path from an
obstacle,
Calculate the noise temperature and carrier-to-noise level of a
microwave system,
Objectives
Calculate the energy per bit per noise density ratio for a
microwave system,
Explain fading and describe the diversity schemes that are
used to overcome it,
Describe the transmitting and receiving equipment used for
FM, SSB, and digital systems,
Describe the types of repeaters used for analog and digital
systems and perform frequency calculations for these
systems,
Describe the place of microwave systems for terrestrial
broadcasting.
Objectives
Calculate the energy per bit per noise density ratio for a
microwave system,
Explain fading and describe the diversity schemes that are
used to overcome it,
Describe the transmitting and receiving equipment used for
FM, SSB, and digital systems,
Describe the types of repeaters used for analog and digital
systems and perform frequency calculations for these
systems,
Describe the place of microwave systems for terrestrial
broadcasting.
 Chapter 18 Terrestrial Microwave
Communication Systems
Objectives

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

18.3 Path Calculations

18.4 Fixed Microwave Links

18.5 Local Microwave Distribution systems

 Chapter 18 Terrestrial Microwave
Communication Systems
Objectives

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

18.3 Path Calculations

18.4 Fixed Microwave Links

18.5 Local Microwave Distribution systems

Electronics Rewind
 The first fixed
microwave link for
telephone
Microwaves in communications in
North America was
Long-Distance established in 1947
between New York and
Telephony Boston.
 The first fixed
microwave link for
telephone
Microwaves in communications in
North America was
Long-Distance established in 1947
between New York and
Telephony Boston.
 By 1951 a
transcontinental
system was in place
Microwaves in using 107 repeaters to
cover the distance
Long-Distance from New York to San
Francisco.
Telephony
 By 1951 a
transcontinental
system was in place
Microwaves in using 107 repeaters to
cover the distance
Long-Distance from New York to San
Francisco.
Telephony
18. 1 Introduction

Point-to-point microwave radio links have many

uses. They can be used as studio-to-transmitter
(STL) links for radio and television broadcasting
stations, and they can also link the head-ends
(antenna sites) of many cable television
installations to their distribution systems. Another
very common application of microwave links is as
part of a communications network involving
telephone, data, or television signals.
18. 1 Introduction

Point-to-point microwave radio links have many

uses. They can be used as studio-to-transmitter
(STL) links for radio and television broadcasting
stations, and they can also link the head-ends
(antenna sites) of many cable television
installations to their distribution systems. Another
very common application of microwave links is as
part of a communications network involving
telephone, data, or television signals.
18. 1 Introduction

Fiber-optic systems are being installed in preference

to microwave radio for some fixed point-to-point
services. The bandwidth available with fiber-optic
systems is greater than with radio, and they require
less maintenance. On the other hand, microwave
relays are needed only at intervals of approximately
40 km, so microwave systems are easier to install in
difficult terrain, such as in mountainous or wilderness
areas. There is no doubt that terrestrial microwave
systems will continue to be part of the evolving
communications grid.
18. 1 Introduction

Fiber-optic systems are being installed in preference

to microwave radio for some fixed point-to-point
services. The bandwidth available with fiber-optic
systems is greater than with radio, and they require
less maintenance. On the other hand, microwave
relays are needed only at intervals of approximately
40 km, so microwave systems are easier to install in
difficult terrain, such as in mountainous or wilderness
areas. There is no doubt that terrestrial microwave
systems will continue to be part of the evolving
communications grid.
18. 1 Introduction

Some microwave systems use only one

link or hop, while others are multihop
systems that use repeaters to extend the
system beyond the line-of-sight range of a
single link. Figure 18.1 shows the two
types of systems.
18. 1 Introduction

Some microwave systems use only one

link or hop, while others are multihop
systems that use repeaters to extend the
system beyond the line-of-sight range of a
single link. Figure 18.1 shows the two
types of systems.
 Transmitter Receiver

Antenna Antenna
(a) Single link

Transmitter Repeater Receiver

Antenna Antenna Antenna Antenna

(b) System with repeater

Figure 18.1 Microwave communication systems

 Transmitter Receiver

Antenna Antenna
(a) Single link

Transmitter Repeater Receiver

Antenna Antenna Antenna Antenna

(b) System with repeater

Figure 18.1 Microwave communication systems

18. 1 Introduction
Microwave systems can also be classified by the modulation
technique used. Older systems are analog; most employ
frequency modulation, though some use single-sideband AM.
Many of the newer systems use digital modulation schemes,
generally quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). All of
these techniques have been discussed in previous chapters.
The analog and digital systems are similar in many aspects,
since the radio propagation part of the system is the same for
both. The modulation and demodulation techniques and the
design of repeaters are the main difference between the two
types.
18. 1 Introduction
Microwave systems can also be classified by the modulation
technique used. Older systems are analog; most employ
frequency modulation, though some use single-sideband AM.
Many of the newer systems use digital modulation schemes,
generally quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). All of
these techniques have been discussed in previous chapters.
The analog and digital systems are similar in many aspects,
since the radio propagation part of the system is the same for
both. The modulation and demodulation techniques and the
design of repeaters are the main difference between the two
types.
18. 1 Introduction

This chapter will first review microwave

propagation and then discuss the components
used in microwave links, both analog and digital.
Because these systems are used in commercial
applications were reliability is of utmost
importance, we will also consider the means of
ensuring the greatest possible reliability. Practical
systems often have reliability in the range of
99.99%, that is the system may be down for
about one hour per year, or even less.
18. 1 Introduction

This chapter will first review microwave

propagation and then discuss the components
used in microwave links, both analog and digital.
Because these systems are used in commercial
applications were reliability is of utmost
importance, we will also consider the means of
ensuring the greatest possible reliability. Practical
systems often have reliability in the range of
99.99%, that is the system may be down for
about one hour per year, or even less.
18. 1 Introduction

Recently there has been considerable

interest in the use of terrestrial microwave
links for broadcasting. Most of these systems
are used as substitutes for television
distribution using coaxial cable, but two-way
systems that allow interactive television and
Internet access have also been introduced.
This chapter concludes with a look at some
of these systems.
18. 1 Introduction

Recently there has been considerable

interest in the use of terrestrial microwave
links for broadcasting. Most of these systems
are used as substitutes for television
distribution using coaxial cable, but two-way
systems that allow interactive television and
Internet access have also been introduced.
This chapter concludes with a look at some
of these systems.
 Chapter 18 Terrestrial Microwave
Communication Systems
Objectives

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

18.3 Path Calculations

18.4 Fixed Microwave Links

18.5 Local Microwave Distribution systems

 Chapter 18 Terrestrial Microwave
Communication Systems
Objectives

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

18.3 Path Calculations

18.4 Fixed Microwave Links

18.5 Local Microwave Distribution systems

18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

In general, a microwave system should use as

few repeaters as possible. Repeaters cost
money, of course, and one increases the
chances of an equipment breakdown that
can disable the link. More importantly,
additional links contribute to noise levels in
analog systems and increase the jitter in
digital ones.
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

In general, a microwave system should use as

few repeaters as possible. Repeaters cost
money, of course, and one increases the
chances of an equipment breakdown that
can disable the link. More importantly,
additional links contribute to noise levels in
analog systems and increase the jitter in
digital ones.
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

On the other hand, repeater stations must not be

located beyond line-of-sight propagation range
from each other, and all sorts of practical
considerations can prevent certain sites from
being used for repeaters. Land must be acquired,
access and electrical power must be arranged, and
the topography must be inspected for the best
repeater sites, preferably on high points of the
terrain.
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

On the other hand, repeater stations must not be

located beyond line-of-sight propagation range
from each other, and all sorts of practical
considerations can prevent certain sites from
being used for repeaters. Land must be acquired,
access and electrical power must be arranged, and
the topography must be inspected for the best
repeater sites, preferably on high points of the
terrain.
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting
Terrestrial microwave systems use relatively low power
transmitters with high-gain parabolic or hog-horn antennas.
By concentrating the transmitted power into a narrow beam,
these antennas increase the effective power and reduce
interference to and from other systems. There are limits to
antenna gain, however. Gain figures greater than 45 dB
should be avoided because antennas with this much gain
have such narrow beamwidth (less than one degree) that
mounting requirements are severeslight motion of an
antenna tower due to wind can be sufficient to cause signal
loss with such narrow antenna beams.
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting
Terrestrial microwave systems use relatively low power
transmitters with high-gain parabolic or hog-horn antennas.
By concentrating the transmitted power into a narrow beam,
these antennas increase the effective power and reduce
interference to and from other systems. There are limits to
antenna gain, however. Gain figures greater than 45 dB
should be avoided because antennas with this much gain
have such narrow beamwidth (less than one degree) that
mounting requirements are severeslight motion of an
antenna tower due to wind can be sufficient to cause signal
loss with such narrow antenna beams.
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

Feedlines between transmitters and/or

receivers and antennas are almost always
constructed from waveguide at
frequencies at 2 GHz, to reduce losses. At
lower frequencies, coaxial cable may be
used.
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting

Feedlines between transmitters and/or

receivers and antennas are almost always
constructed from waveguide at
frequencies at 2 GHz, to reduce losses. At
lower frequencies, coaxial cable may be
used.
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting
Path Calculations
18.2 Terminal and Repeater Siting
Path Calculations
Path Calculations

To be continued by the next reporter