4/13/2011

Basic Design Requirements
Microwave Communication System Optimization: LOS based on 
the assigned sites.
the assigned sites

Sites:   Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya, Cabanatuan Nueva Ecija
and Dinalungan Aurora.
y Base Stations straight line distance minimum of 75km
y Maximum tower height: 50 m
y Number of repeater stations is unlimited with a maximum hop 
length of 35 km
y System reliability: 99.99999% or better
y All equipment and infrastructure must be commercially 
available
y Losses to consider: Waveguide/transmission line losses, 
Miscellaneous Path losses (DLP, DLS, RL), FSL

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Requirement: Plates and Defense
Plate 1 (due  Wk 4, 4:30pm)
Base Stations Description,  Selection of Relays Site – 5%
Plate 2 (due  Wk 5, , 4:30pm)
Path Profiling 
P h P fili   – 15%
%
Plate 3 (due Wk 6, 4:30pm)
Equipment Specifications – 5%
Plate 4 (due Wk 8, 4:30pm)
Link Budget  – 15%
Plate 5 (due Wk 9, 4:30pm)
Final Compilation, Bid Proposal  – 10%
Defense (Wk 10, 20% of which is peer/leader’s evaluation)
‐required to have 2  ECE faculty as panel members      – 50%

Passing: 70%
Note: Ten (10) points will be deducted per day of late submission of report.

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Plate 1: Base Stations Site 
Description
Using the assigned sites to serve as the company’s base 
stations, provide a narrative to include the following details (at 
a minimum):
  i i )
y Geographical Coordinates
y Elevation above Mean Sea Level
y Weather Conditions
y Accessibility/Access Roads
y Commercial Electric Power/Water Supply
y Telephone Communications
y Presence of Airports (location of nearest airport)
y Security/Peace and Order
y Terrain Type

Identify your chosen relay stations and provide the same narrative as 
well.

Plate 2: Path Profiling
LOS H
TB

h2

TA
E
ho
h1

eb

d1 d2

D
A B

Notations:
Eb – earth bulge                                                                      
• • H – path clearance 
E – elevation as seen on 
• • tg – tree growth
topographical map                               
> Tower height depends on clearance of highest  obstruction
> Higher clearance means higher tower height

Note:  Scale – 1:50,000 

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Calculation:
d1d2
eb =
d1 & d2 are in KM
12.75Kave
eb ‐meters 
ho = eb + E +tg (if any)
ho – total height
h1 = eA +TA
h2=eB +TB

K factor, an equivalent earth radius factor, conveniently defines the degree and direction 
of bending. 
K = 1.165 mountain
5
K =0 .58 water
K= 2/3 rice paddies
K =3/4 coconut trees
K = 4/3 dry rock standard

Legend:
Dry Rock/Standard Earth Bulge
Mountain Elevation over Eb
LOS
Water
Upper Fresnel
Coconut Trees Lower Fresnel
Rice Paddies ho'

Sample Computations
This section shows how the different parameters for each hop are computed.  The 
computations shall use data acquired from HOP 1 path profile, (Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
to Bulusan, Sorsogon).

y K‐Factor (K
( AVE)
K 1d1 + K 2 d2 + ... + K ndn
K ave =
D
3 4 3 2 4 3
( )(2) + ( )(1) + ( )(6) + ( )(1) + ( )(1) + ( )(12.825)
K ave = 4 3 4 3 3 4
23.825

K ave = 0.79547

y Earth Bulge (at maximum elevation)

d1 d2
eb =
12.75K ave
(21)(2.825)
eb =
(12.75)(.79547)

e b = 5.8493 m

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y Total Obstruction (ho’ at maximum elevation)

h 'o = Tree growth + elevation + earth bulge

h'o = 15m + 157m + 5.8493m

h'o = 177.8493 m

y First Fresnel Zone (HN at maximum elevation)
d1 d 2
H N = 17 . 3
fD
(21)(2.825)
HN = 17.3
(13.05)(23.825)
HN = 7.55689 m

Considering 60% of the Fresnel Zone as minimum Path Clearance, we can solve 
Considering 60% of the Fresnel Zone as minimum Path Clearance  we can solve 
for the minimum antenna tower heights:
0.60HN = (0.60)7.5568 = 4.534 m

From the path clearance equation:

( h 2 − h 1 ) d1
H = − h o '+ h1
D
(135 + TB − 67 − TA ) 21
4 .534 = − 177 .849 + 67 + TA
23 .825

Assuming the tower heights are equal:
TA = TB = 55.446m

The proposed tower height for this Hop is 60 m (both towers).

y Path Clearance

( h 2 − h 1 ) d1
H= − h o ' + h1
D

(195 − 127)21
H= − 177.849 + 127
23.825

H = 9.088

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y Fresnel Clearance Ratio
H
F=
HN

9.088
F=
7.55689

F = 1.203

y Line of Sight Formula (at maximum obstruction)
LOS = H + h’o
LOS = 9.088 + 177.8493
LOS = 186.937

y Clearance from 1st Fresnel (C
( 1st at maximum elevation))
C1st = LOS – HN – h’o
C1st = 186.937 – 7.557 – 177.8493
C1st = 1.53085 m

y Note:
if TA & TB are not equal, the two obstruction  method is applied.

Note:
X3
¾In between sites: choose the  site
higher value
¾If computed TA or TB are negative  X 2X 3 Hop 3
(due to high elevation), choose 
X 1X 2
minimum height = 15 m Hop 2

X1 Hop 1

To solve for the tower height, consider the highest obstruction per hop.

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Path
d1 (Km) d2 (Km) Elevation Eb Add’l Obs ho' Hn 0.6Hn C1st Terrain Remarks
Clearance

0 23.825 67 0.00 0 67.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 60.00 Rice paddies Absorption

1 22.825 67 2.25 15 84.25 4.69 2.81 40.92 45.60 Coconut Absorption

2 21.825 37 4.30 0 41.30 6.48 3.89 84.92 91.40 Dry Rock Absorption

3 20.825 37 6.16 0 43.16 7.75 4.65 84.65 92.40 Dry rock Absorption

4 19.825 37 7.82 15 59.82 8.74 5.24 69.86 78.60 Coconut Absorption

5 18.825 37 9.28 15 61.28 9.52 5.71 70.47 79.99 Coconut Absorption

6 17.825 37 10.55 15 62.55 10.15 6.09 71.43 81.58 Coconut Absorption

7 16.825 54 11.61 15 80.61 10.65 6.39 55.72 66.37 Coconut Absorption

8 15.825 64 12.48 15 91.48 11.04 6.62 47.31 58.35 Coconut Absorption

9 14.825 73 13.16 15 101.16 11.33 6.80 40.20 51.53 Coconut Absorption

10 13.825 73 13.63 0 86.63 11.54 6.92 57.37 68.91 Rice Paddies Reflection

11 12.825 87 13.91 0 100.91 11.65 6.99 45.83 57.49 Dry Rock Absorption

12 11.825 95 13.99 0 108.99 11.69 7.01 40.57 52.26 Coconut Absorption

13 10.825 95 13.88 15 123.88 11.64 6.98 28.59 40.23 Coconut Absorption

14 9.825 97 13.56 15 125.56 11.51 6.90 29.89 41.40 Coconut Absorption

15 8.825 97 13.05 15 125.05 11.29 6.77 33.47 44.76 Coconut Absorption

16 7.825 97 12.34 15 124.34 10.98 6.59 37.34 48.32 Coconut Absorption

17 6.825 104 11.44 15 130.44 10.57 6.34 34.51 45.08 Coconut Absorption

18 5.825 97 10.34 15 122.34 10.05 6.03 45.99 56.04 Coconut Absorption

19 4.825 130 9.04 15 154.04 9.39 5.64 17.80 27.19 Coconut Absorption

20 3.825 100 7.54 15 122.54 8.58 5.15 52.96 61.54 Coconut Absorption

21 2.825 157 5.85 15 177.85 7.56 4.53 1.53 9.09 Coconut Absorption

22 1.825 137 3.96 15 155.96 6.22 3.73 27.62 33.83 Coconut Absorption

23 0.825 137 1.87 15 153.87 4.27 2.56 34.50 38.77 Coconut Absorption

23.825 0 135 0.00 0 135.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 60.00 Coconut Absorption

Additional obstructions- building, trees etc.

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Through excel, plot

LOS H ho vs distance
TB
¾Highest 
obstr ction here
obstruction where 
h2 tower height is 
computed
TA
E
ho
h1
eb vs distance

eb

d1 d2

D
A B

Plot : ho vs distance, eb vs distance, LOS, upper and lower Fresnel, show

terrain

NOTE:
Apply engineering judgment for highest obstruction.

y Hn is obtained from highest obstruction
y H = 0.6Hn with H, TA = TB is solved 

y LOS = H + ho’
y Lower Fresnel = LOS –Hn
y Upper Fresnel zone = LOS  +Hn

Table Summary

Transmitter Transmitter
Recom antenna height Computed antenna height
Station 1
Station 2
Station 3

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Plate 3: Equipment Listing/ 
Specifications
From a set of possible equipment available, select the 
company’s choice and justify
y Radio / multiplex 
y Antenna
y Waveguide‐support frequency stated in plates
y Primary and secondary power sources
y Other accessories

Plate 4: Link Budget
y Link Budget – a summary  of gains and losses; used to determine 
the system’s reliability ( 99.99999 %)

Tx Tx

Dr=5 m 5 m

Radio Specification

Pt

Antenna 
0 dBm
0 dBm gain

Waveguide 
loss
Losses  Received Signal (RF) RSL = 
Antenna 
FSL,AAL,RL,DLP,DLS IRL + Gr – Lr
gain

Isotropic  receive level = EIRP ‐
FSL

Sensitivity

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Sample Computations
This section shows how the different losses and gains are computed.  These parameters 
shall determine what antenna diameter should be used and whether or not the hop will 
require diversity techniques due to diffraction and reflection.

The computations shall use data acquired from HOP 2 path profile, (Bulusan, Sorsogon
p q p p ,( , g
to Muiluiol, Samar).

Assumed and Proposed Values:
y PT = 30 dBm at 8 Mbps Lr= ( TB + Dr) * TL loss multiplier +
connector loss
y Cmin = ‐87 dBm at 8 Mbps
y Reliability (R) = 99.9999%
y TLL multiplier = 11.14 

Data from Path Profile:
y D = 27 km
y h2 = 155 m
y h1 = 87 m
y Frequency = 13.25 GHz
y TA = TB = 20

y Computing for the Losses:
y Free Space Loss
FSL = 92.4 + 20 log f( GHz ) + 20 log D (km )

FSL = 92.4 + 20 log13.25 + 20 log 27

FSL = 143.472 dB

y Line Loss
Lt = (TA + Dr) * TL loss multiplier +
connector loss

y Transmission Line Loss
TLL = ( TA + TB + 12m) * TL loss multiplier
TLL = (20 + 20 + 6m+ 6m) * 11.14dB 100m
TLL = 5.793 dB

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y Atmospheric Absorption Losses
Absorption due to Oxygen at frequency below 57 GHz:
⎡ 6.09 4.81 ⎤ 2
Ao = ⎢7.19 x10 −3 + 2 + xf x10 −3 dB / km
⎣ f + 0.227 ( f − 118) 2 ⎥⎦
⎡ 6.09 4.81 ⎤
A o = ⎢7.19x10 − 3 + 2
+ 2⎥
x (13.25)2 x10 − 3 dB / km * 27km
⎣ (13.25) + 0.227 (13.25 − 118) ⎦

A o = 0.200 dB

Absorption due to Water:
⎡ 3 9 4.3 ⎤ 2 −4
AH2 O = ⎢0.067 + 2
+ 2
+ 2 ⎥ * fα * 10 dB / km
k
⎣ (f − 22.3 ) + 7.3 (f − 183.3 ) + 1.47 (f − 323.3) + 10 ⎦

⎡ 3 9 4.3 ⎤ 2 −4
A H2 O = ⎢0.067 + + + ⎥ * (13.25)(12) * 10 dB / km * 27km
⎣ (13.25 − 22.3) 2 + 7.3 (13.25 − 183.3) 2 + 1.47 (13.25 − 323.3) 2 + 10 ⎦

AH = 0.242192 dB
2O

y Fade Margin

Roughness Factor (A) = 4 ,Smooth Terrain, Over water, or flat desert
Roughness Factor (A) = 4  Smooth Terrain  Over water  or flat desert
Climatic Factor (B) = 0.50 ,Hot humid areas
NOTE: for the constants A & B to use in the fade margin equation, 
refer to Tomasi , 5th edition (Barnett‐Vignant Reliability equation)

FM = 30 log D + 10 log(6 ABf ) − 10 log(1 − R ) − 70

FM = 30 log27 + 10 log[6(4)(0.50)(13.25)] − 10 log(1 − 0.999999) − 70

FM = 54.955 dB

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y Miscellaneous Path Loss
From the path profile parameter computations, the Fresnel Ratio (F) 
obtained for this particular hop is 5.828 which is definitely greater than 
1.  Thus, there will be no Diffraction Loss due to Path (DLP), DLP = 0.

The line of sight is free from any obstruction since the hop will run over 
the ocean.  Thus, there will be no Diffraction Loss due to Shielding, 
DLS = 0.

Since the terrain of the hop is water in majority, there is a possibility 
p g
that Reflection Loss (RL) will occur.  Computing for the needed 
parameters: h2 - h1
c=
h2 + h1

155 - 87
c=
155 + 87
c = 0.281

Dkm 2
m=
25.5k(h1 + h2)

27 2
m=
25.5(0.772)(87 + 155)

m = 0.153

⎛ 3c ⎞
⎜ ⎟
1+m ⎧1 −1 ⎜ ⎟
b=2 cos ⎨ [cos ⎜ 1 + m
⎟ + 180 ]}
0

3m ⎩ 3 1 + m
⎜2 ⎟
⎜ 3m ⎟⎠
⎝
⎛ 3(0.281) ⎞
⎜ ⎟
1 + 0.153 ⎧1 −1 ⎜ 1 + 0.153 ⎟
b=2 cos ⎨ [cos ⎜ ⎟+π ]}
3(0.153) ⎩3 ⎜ 2 1 + 0.153 ⎟
⎜ 3(0.153) ⎠⎟
⎝
b = 0.363

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Computing for the Reflection Point Distances:
D
d1R = (1 − b ) = 27 (1 − 0.363) = 8.605 km
2 2
D 27
d2R = (1 + b ) = (1 + 0.363 ) = 18.395 km
2 2
Locating the Point on the map, it will fall on water, a 
Locating the Point on the map  it will fall on water  a 
reflective terrain.  The reflection coefficient (RC) of water 
is 0.8.

Computing for the Reflection Factor, we need the following 
1
Df =
parameters:
' d
2
2d d
2
h2 = h2 − 2R
1+ 1R 2R
12.75k kaDh'2
18.3952 1
'
h2 = 155 − Df =
12.75(0.722) 2(8.605)(18.395)2
1+
' (0.772)(6.374)(27)118.242)
h2 = 118.242 m
D f = 0 .854

Thus, the Reflection Factor (RC) can be computed as:
RF = RC * Df
RF = (0.8) * (0.854)
RF = 0.6833

From the Reflection Loss Graph, RL can be 
obtained as:
RL = 9 dB

Therefore, the Miscellaneous Path Loss (MPL) is equal to 
RL since DLP and DLS is not present.
MPL = 9 dB

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y Other Losses ( from the equipment manual)

Hybrid Loss = 1.00 dBCoupling Loss = 0.50 dB
Connector Loss = 0 50 dB
Connector Loss = 0.50 dB
Radome Loss = 0.50 dB
Thus, the Total Losses can be obtained:

Total Losses = FSL + TLL + AAL + FM + MPL + Other Losses

TotalLosses = 143.472+ 5.792+ (0.2 + 0.574)+ 54.955+ 9 + [1 + 3(0.5)]
Total Losses = 216.494
216 494

Computing for the Gains:

y Total Gain
Gain total = Loss total - Pt + C min

Gain total = 216.494 - 30 − 87

Gain total = 99.494 dB

y Antenna Gain
Gain total
G ant =
2
99.494 dB
G ant =
2
G ant = 49.747 dB

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We can now solve for the minimum Dish Antenna 
Diameter: G ant − 20 log f −17.8

dmin = 10 20

49.747 − 20 log(13.25 ) −17.8

dmin = 10 20

dmin = 2.986 m

y The proposed antenna diameter is 3 m.  The difference 
h d d h d ff
with the proposed diameter and the minimum diameter 
corresponds to a change on the antenna gain and Fade 
Margin, thus, affecting the Reliability of the Hop. 

y New Antenna Gain

G ant = 20 log f( GHz ) + 20 log d(m) + 17.8

G ant = 20 log
l 13.25 + 20 log
l 3 + 17.8

G ant = 49.787 dB

y New Fade Margin

FM = Gain total + Pt − C min − FSL − TTL − AAL − MPL − Other Losses

FM = 2(49.787) + 30 − (−87) − 143.472 − 5.792 − (0.2 + 0.574) − 9 − [1 + 3(0.5)]

FM = 55.034 dB

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y Hop Reliability
FM − 30 log D −10 log 6 ABf + 70

R = 1 − 10 −10

55.034 − 30 log( 27 ) − 10 log[ 6 ( 4 )( 0.5 )(13.25 )] + 70

R = 1 − 10 − 10

R = 0.99999990181×100%
R = 99.9999901 81%

Undp = 1 − R

U ndp = 1−
1 0.9999999018 1

U ndp = 0.00000009 818851 × 100%

Undp = 0.00009818851%

“If reliability doesn’t meet the minimum required, apply 
diversity techniques.”

Other Path Parameters needed for the hop are as follows:
p (
y Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) )
EIRP = Pt + G ant − Lt
y Isotropic Receive Level (IRL)
IRL = EIRP − FSL
y Received Signal Level (RSL)
RSL = IRL + G ant − Lr

Put a table summarizing all computed gains losses 
and reliability.
Note:    
Examples given are theoretical and may not work in 
practice.

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Plate 5:  Bid Proposal 
y Consider all equipment/accessories and other 
miscellaneous cost 
y Propose a budget for this equipment listing. This will 
serve as your basis for your bid proposal of your site 
design. “The most cost effective design, the better the 
grade.”

The End

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