WAN Basics

Tsunami MP.11 - QB.11 QuickBridge 60250

Radio Frequency (RF) and Radio Technology Fundamentals

April 2008

Point to Point (PtP)

One location to one location Dedicated access
Full bandwidth between two locations

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Point-to-Multipoint (PMP)
One location to many locations; Many locations to one location Shared access
Shared bandwidth between multiple locations

Indoor Wireless LAN

Outdoor Point-to-Multipoint
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The Concept of Line-of-Sight (LOS)

No obstructions between each end
No trees No buildings No mountains
Can you go through a window? Probably, but with added losses that are hard to predict: Plan on 10dB as an initial guess, can be greater for reflective (metallic) tinted glass

Note: The lower the frequency, the better it will travel through obstacles

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The Line-of-Sight Issue raising one side

A structure can be erected to establish line-of-sight over obstacles

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The Line-of-Sight Issue raising two sides

Two structures can be erected to establish line-of-sight over obstacles

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The Line-of-Sight Issue using a repeater

A system approach called a repeater can establish line-of-sight to go around or over obstacles
Active repeaters (two radio systems back-to-back) Passive repeaters (one radio system redirected)

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The Hertz Measurement of Frequency

1 Hertz (Hz) = 1 cycle/second
1,000 Hz = 1 kHz 1,000,000 Hz = 1 MHz 1,000,000,000 Hz = 1 GHz

time

period (cycle)
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Wavelength
Inversely proportional to the frequency Wavelength = the distance required to complete one cycle at a particular frequency
The distance from Point A to Point B represents one wavelength Wavelength is normally measured relative to meters (such as cm, or mm)

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Phase
The location of the traveling wave at a fixed point in time Measured in degrees or radians, related to Pi () 360 Degrees = 1 Cycle
2 Radians = 360 57.3 = 1 Radian 90

180

360

270
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Modulation
Method of sending information over radio wave
By changing the signal phase over time one can send information Example QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying):
4 decisions points 2 code bits per symbol

90

64 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation)

64 decision points 6 coded bits per symbol 180 0

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Watts & Decibels: Measurement of Power

Watt (W) Decibel reference to 1 mW (dBm) Decibel (dB) - a ratio or difference in power
e.g. 20dBm is 3dB less than 23dBm +3 dB equals power x2 +10 dB equals power x10

Conversion equations

x(dbm) = 10logy(mW) y(mW) = 10x(dBm)/10

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Watts vs. dBm

100 W 10 W 2W 1W 100 mW 1 mW 100 uW 0.001 nW 50 dBm 40 dBm 33 dBm 30 dBm 20 dBm 0 dBm -10 dBm -80 dBm
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Power and Directivity

Without obstructions and with high intensity and beam focus, RF can travel long distances
Power is measure of strength Gain is measure of amplification

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Microwaves Behave Similar to Visible Light & Sound

They propagate in air similar to light and sound
Reflect off surfaces Absorbed by surfaces Diffuse and refract through substances

Transmitting source (e.g., car headlight) Point A Point B

Signal is more concentrated at Point A than at Point B

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RF Refraction and Scattering

RF can pass through materials which will change its direction of travel (called refraction) RF can pass through materials which will diffuse the energy (scatter) to a wider beam

Air (medium 1)

Away from Perpendicular Observer

Apparent Position

Water (medium 2)
Actual Position

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Reception:RF ~ Vision:Light
Reception of RF can be affected by vision-related components
Blinders Angle of attack Focus Obstructions Weather

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Obstructions Will Stop or Seriously Attenuate Signals

Some RF can travel easily through walls, stone, etc. and some will be immediately dampened Partial obstructions can dramatically reduce wave energy

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RF is Attenuated by Rainfall
Signals above 11 GHz can be severely affected Most of Proxims products operate below 6 GHz and are virtually unaffected by rainfall in most parts of the world

11GHz Cloudburst =7dB/mile 6GHz Cloudburst

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RF Reflection and Multipath

RF can bounce off objects like buildings and mountains, water and atmosphere Different paths of RF will arrive at destination at different times - this is called multipath

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The Importance of Signal Phase

Best Case: Even number of Wavelengths
x

_ _
2x

-x

+
x

=
-2x

_ _

-x

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The Importance of Signal Phase

Worst Case: Odd number of Wavelengths
x

_ _

-x

+
x

_ _
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-x

Fresnel Zone
The Fresnel zone is additional path clearance that is required to optimize radio reception There are an infinite number of points where reflected signal arrives exactly wavelength out of phase for a given frequency

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Earth Curvature and k factor

One factor for line-of-sight includes earth curvature and the effects of the atmospheric refraction due to the curve of the earths surface
The earths bulge between the end points must be considered when determining if LOS and proper path clearance exists, including Fresnel zone The k factor (refraction index) is a mathematical figure that will help determine the effect on path clearance
Not much of a factor under 10 miles

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Polarization
Polarization describes the orientation of the E (electrical) and H (magnetic) components of an RF wave front.
Linear polarization (horizontal, vertical, slant linear) Circular polarization (right-hand, left hand)

RF can be transmitted (and received) with dominant polarization

Polarization provides a level of discrimination (attenuation) against different polarization signals, especially opposite polarization (e.g. horizontal versus vertical)

Weather and multipath can de-polarize RF

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Terrain Effects on RF

Mountainous terrain is best

Many multipath reflections will not reach the other end, thus reducing the potential for out-of-phase reflected signals that may have degraded the integrity of the direct signal

Flat, smooth terrain is worst

Many multipath reflections may reach the other end, thus increasing the potential for out-of-phase reflected signals that may degrade the integrity of the direct signal

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Climate Effects on RF
Humid climate is worst
More moisture = more ducting and refraction = more attenuation

Dry climate is best

Reduced moisture = less ducting and refraction = less attenuation

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The Concept of Interference

Interference is the reception of signals from sources other than the intended source
The source of the interference may be from a closer and/or stronger signal level compared to the desired signal impacting the ability of the system to receive the desired signal properly

Interference can be caused by energy that is at the same frequency as the signal that you wish to receive, or can be at a nearby frequency with enough energy to leak into the receiver Interference can also be caused by energy that is a completely different frequency from that which you wish to receive. High-powered transmitters can radiate harmonics where they are also inadvertently transmitting energy that is a multiple of the intended transmitter frequency

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The Basics of Interference Management

Use opposite antenna polarization to reject nearby interference Change frequency plans to steer around interference
Swap ends of the system so that the receive frequency is changed (where possible) Change frequency channels or bands (where possible)

Move antenna to attenuate interference

Create physical blocks (hide) the antenna from the interference source Moving the antenna may create a new angle from the interference, which may greater reject the interference

Use larger or high-performance antennas (where possible)

Improves off-angle rejection Improves gain of on-angle signals

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Methods of Two-Way Communications

Frequency Division Duplex (FDD)
Communications in one direction are at a different frequency than in the other direction, transmitting and receiving in both directions at the same time
Can establish high speeds in both directions (usually equivalent speed) No substantial time delays (latency) for communication, as no information is buffered The difference in frequency can be small (a few MHz) or large (100s of MHz), in the same frequency band or different bands altogether

Time Division Duplex (TDD or Ping Pong)

Communications in one direction are at a different time than in the other direction, transmitting and receiving at the same frequency but in succession
Can provide unbalanced communications when desired (e.g. more download than upload, or variable to demand) Has an impact on latency

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One-Piece and Two-Piece Construction

For Proxims outdoor wireless solutions, one end of the radio system is made up of one or two distinct boxes
One-piece radios Indoor
Are designed for all-indoor mounting (or mounting in a weatherproof container)

One piece radios Outdoor

Rugged housing

Two-piece radios
give the flexibility of mounting part of the system closer to the antenna and part inside

2-piece configuration

1-piece configuration
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Connected or Connectorized Antenna

Some Proxim products have built-in antennas that cannot be removed or bypassed Some Proxim products have built-in antennas that can be bypassed and an alternate antenna connected instead Some Proxim products do not have a built-in antenna
an external antenna must be connected

Connected Antenna Configurations

Connectorized Antenna Configurations

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Understanding Antennas
Outdoor systems usually implement directional antennas
Highly directional (narrow beamwidths) for PTP systems Sector (wide beamwidths) for the central location of PMP systems Somewhat directional (medium beamwidths) for the client locations of PMP systems

The choice of gain and beamwidth is critical to the application

The larger the antenna (in surface area), the higher the gain The lower the gain, the wider the beamwidth The wider the beamwidth, the more susceptible to interference The higher the gain, the further the distance and/or improved RSL

The configuration of polarization is important to the system plan

To optimize communications, both ends of a wireless system should be implemented with the same polarization

Click here to watch the antenna properties video

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Antenna Performance Parameters

Gain Beamwidth/Coverage Pattern Polarization

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Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)

The output power of a transmitter, including all cable losses and antenna gains
Transmitter Output Power - Cable Loss + Antenna Gain

Antenna (Gain)

Transmission Line (Loss)

EIRP

Radio (Output Power)

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What Governs Distance or Coverage?

The radios technology (sometimes) The strength of the transmitted signal The radios threshold specifications The radios frequency of operation Output power regulations Obstacles between the end points Climate/Terrain The antenna pattern

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Basic Distance Planning: a series of Gains and Losses

Antenna (Gain)

Path (Loss)

Antenna (Gain)

Transmission Line (Loss) RSL Radio (Output Power)

Transmission Line (Loss) Radio (Threshold)

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Understanding System Gain & Fade Margin

System Gain
The difference between the output power and the threshold

Output Power

Fade Margin
The difference between the received signal level and the threshold

System Gain Received Signal Level (RSL) Fade Margin Threshold

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Understanding Availability
The predicted amount of time the system will be operating above threshold
Availability is the primary design criteria for outdoor wireless systems

Examples:
99.999% 99.995% 99.950% = 5.26 minutes/year outage = 26.28 minutes/year outage = 262.8 minutes/year outage

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Overall Spectrum

AM Radio 550 - 1700kHz

UHF TV 460-600MHz

Remote Controls 100GHz-500THz Medical X-ray

VLF

LF

MF

HF

VHF

UHF

SHF

EHF

Infrared

Visible

UV

Gamma

Cosmic

FM Radio 88-108 MHz Sound VHF TV 20Hz - 20kHz 54-220 MHz

Light 700THz - 1000THz

Cellular 800-900 MHz PCS 1.8-2 GHz Terrestrial Microwave 118 GHz Indoor Wireless 900 MHz, 2 & 5 GHz
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Types of Spectrum
License-exempt
Anyone can use No coordination or registration required Opportunity for interference, which the user must work around

Licensed (or Leased)

Coordination required Registration required Interference is better controlled, but not completely eliminated
Regulatory agency will assist with any interference cases

Owned
Purchased spectrum, usually in a given region, usually by auction Owner needs to self-coordinate intra-system interference potential Some coordination may be needed with neighboring owners

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Bands and Regulations USA and Canada

900 MHz ISM
902 928 MHz
+36 dBm EIRP. For every dB of antenna gain above 6dBi, Tx must be reduced by 1 dB

1.8 GHz Federal Government

1.755 1.850 GHz
+80 dBm EIRP

2.4 GHz ISM

2.4000 2.4835 GHz
+36 dBm EIRP. For every 3 dB of antenna gain above 6dBi, Tx must be reduced by 1dB +36 dBm EIRP for PMP systems and some PtP systems

3.6 GHz
3.650 3.700 GHz
+44 dBm EIRP (per 25 MHz) for fixed station +30 dBm EIRP (per 25 MHz) for mobile station An unlimited numbers of licenses will be granted, but every base station must be registered. established circular protection zones around existing station 150 km for Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) earth stations 80 km for Federal Government stations

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Bands and Regulations USA and Canada

4.9 GHz Public Safety
4.9405 4.9895 GHz
Chanel size (Mhz) 1 5 10 15 20 For every dB of antenna

Low power (dBm) above 9dBi, Tx must High power (dBm) reduced by 1 dB 5.3 GHz U-NII
5.250 5.350 GHz
+30 dBm EIRP limit for all systems

7 20

14 27

17 18.8 20 30 31.8 33

gain be

5.4 GHz U-NII

5470 5725 GHz
+30 dBm EIRP limit for all systems, Automatic DFS Required

5.8 GHz U-NII

5.725 5.825 GHz
+53 dBm EIRP limit for qualified PTP systems +36 dBm for PMP systems Unwiring the Network

Bands and Regulations India

2.4 GHz
2.4000 2.4835 GHz
+36 dBm EIRP, + 30 dBm Output Power Indoor + outdoor

3.3 GHz
3.300 3.400 GHz Licensed band

5 GHz
5.150 5.350 & 5.725 5.875 GHz
+23 dBm EIRP Indoor (which includes usage within the single contiguous campus of an individual, duly recognized organization or institution)

5.825 5.875 GHz

+36 dBm EIRP, + 30 dBm Output Power Outdoor

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Bands and Regulations Russian Federation

Russian Federation defined four geographical zone
Category I Category II Category III Category IV cities with population exceeding 1 million inhabitant cities with population between 250k and 1 million inhabitant cities with population between 100k and 250k inhabitant whole Russian Federation area excluding cities with population exceeding 100k inhabitant

2.4 GHz
2.4000 2.4835 GHz
Point to Multipoint systems I II III IV

BSU and SU max Tx power dBWatt BSU and SU max EIRP

Point to Point systems

-10 6 4

-10 6 10 30

-10 6 20

-10 dBWatt km

-4

BSU max range coverage 0,5 Max EIRP

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Bands and Regulations Russian Federation

3.5 GHz
3.400 3.450 and 3.500 3.550 GHz
Point to Multipoint systems I II III IV

BSU and SU max Tx power dBWatt BSU and SU max EIRP

Point to Point systems

-10 0 5

-10 10 10 30

-10 20 20

0 dBWatt km

-4

BSU max range coverage 3 Max EIRP dBWatt Antennas pattern

According to - F.1336 or F.699 recommendations

5.2 GHz
5.150 5.350 GHz
Point to Multipoint systems I II III IV Unwiring the Network

Bands and Regulations Russian Federation

5.7 GHz
5.650 5.725 GHz
Point to Multipoint systems I II III IV

BSU and SU max Tx power dBWatt BSU and SU max EIRP BSU max range coverage
Point to Point systems

-10 0 3 6 5

-10 13 10 30

-10 23 20

0 dBWatt km

Max EIRP dBWatt Antennas pattern

According to - F.1336 or F.699 recommendations

6 GHz
5.725 6.425 GHz
Point to Multipoint systems I II III IV Unwiring the Network

Bands and Regulations Europe

2.4 GHz ETSI 301 328
2.400 2.483 GHz (3 channel)
+20 dBm EIRP, Indoor and outdoor use.

3.5 GHz ETSI 301 021 v1.6.1 (July 2003)

3.400 3.600 GHz
Licensed band

5 GHz ETSI 301 983 v1.3.1 (August 2005)

5.150 5.250 GHz (4 channel)
+23 dBm EIRP, Indoor use, TPC

5.250 5.350 GHz (4 channel)

+23 dBm EIRP, Indoor use, TPC, DFS

5.470 5.725 GHz (11 channel)

+30 dBm EIRP, Indoor and outdoor use, TPC, DFS

5.8 GHz ETSI 302 502 v1.1.1 (November 2006)

5.725 5.850 GHz (5 channel)
+36 dBm EIRP, Fixed outdoor use, TPC, DFS, UK, Norway, Germany Unwiring the Network

Extra Regulation Europe

WEEE
Waste of Electrical and Electronics Equipment Directive 2002/96/EC Implementation August 2005

RoHS
Restriction of Hazardous Substance Directive 2002/95/EC Implementation July 2006

All Proxim ORiNOCO and TSUNAMI MP.11 / MP.16 product comply with those two rules

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Outdoor Wireless Systems Require Engineering

Determine Line-of-Sight and Path Clearance
Including Fresnel Zone, k-factor, reflection point

Determine Antenna System Requirements

Meet distance, availability and fade margin requirements

Determine All Cable Types and Lengths Analyze Interference Potential

Including any self-interference

Plan for Proper Grounding and Lightning Protection Plan for Egress of Cables from Outdoor to Indoor

These statements are true for ANY deployment, even across a parking lot!

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