Digital Microwave Communication Principles V1.0

Document code Product name

Target readers Huawei engineers Product version

Edited by Optical Network Product Service Department Document version 1.0

Digital Microwave Communication Principles

Drafted by: Chen Shaoying Date: 2007-01-06

Reviewed by: Chen Hu Date:

Reviewed by: Date:

Approved by: Date:

Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd All Rights Reserved

Digital Microwave Communication Principles V1.0 Confidentiality Level:

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2007-4-4 Huawei Confidential. No disclosure without permission. of 144

Revision Records

Date Revised version Author Description

2007-1-11 V1.0 Chen Shaoying Initial draft


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Contents

Chapter 1 Microwave Communication Overview .......................................................................... 7 1.1 Basic Concepts of Digital Microwave ................................................................................... 7 1.2 Microwave Development Course.......................................................................................... 8

1.2.1 Microwave Evolution in the World.............................................................................. 8 1.2.2 Microwave Evolution in China.................................................................................... 9

1.3 Characteristics of Digital Radio Communication System ................................................... 10 1.4 Challenges and Opportunities for Digital Microwave Communication................................ 11

1.4.1 Optical Fiber Communication—Biggest Challenge for Digital Microwave Communication ................................................................................................................. 11 1.4.2 Opportunities for Digital Microwave Communication ............................................... 12

1.5 Microwave Frequency Band Choice and RF Channel Arrangements................................ 14 1.6 Digital Microwave Communication System Model.............................................................. 16

1.6.1 Modulation Method of Digital Microwave ................................................................. 16 1.6.2 Channel Utilization of Each Modulation ................................................................... 18

1.7 Digital Microwave Frame Structure..................................................................................... 19 1.8 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 21

Chapter 2 Introduction to Digital Microwave Equipment ........................................................... 21 2.1 Digital Microwave Equipment Classification ....................................................................... 21 2.2 Microwave antenna and feeder .......................................................................................... 23

2.2.1 Microwave antenna .................................................................................................. 23 2.2.2 Classification of Microwave Antennas ..................................................................... 26 2.2.3 Feeder System......................................................................................................... 26 2.2.4 Branching System .................................................................................................... 27

2.3 Outdoor unit (ODU)............................................................................................................. 28 2.3.1 Constituents of Digital Microwave Transmitter and Major Performance Indexes .... 29 2.3.2 Constituents and Major Indexes of Receiver ........................................................... 31

2.4 Indoor Unit .......................................................................................................................... 33 2.5 Installation and Adjustment of Split Microwave System ..................................................... 34 2.6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 36

Chapter 3 Microwave System Networking and Application....................................................... 36 3.1 Microwave System Typical Networking Modes and Station Types .................................... 36

3.1.1 Typical Networking Modes ....................................................................................... 36 3.1.2 Microwave Station Types ......................................................................................... 37

3.2 Relay Station....................................................................................................................... 38 3.2.1 Passive Relay Station .............................................................................................. 38 3.2.2 Active Relay Station ................................................................................................. 42

3.3 Digital Microwave Application ............................................................................................. 43 3.4 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 45

Chapter 4 Microwave Propagation Theory .................................................................................. 45 4.1 Electric Wave Propagation in Free Space.......................................................................... 45

4.1.1 Free Space............................................................................................................... 45 4.1.2 Propagation Loss of Electric Waves in Free Space................................................. 45

4.2 Influence of Ground Reflection on the Electric Wave Propagation .................................... 46 4.2.1 Concept of Fresnel Zone.......................................................................................... 46 4.2.2 Influence of Ground Reflection on Receiving Level ................................................. 48

4.3 Influence of Troposphere on Electric Wave........................................................................ 54 4.3.1 Ray Bend in Atmosphere ......................................................................................... 55 4.3.2 Concept of Equivalent Earth Radius ........................................................................ 56 4.3.3 Refraction can be classified into three categories based on the K value ................ 56


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2007-4-4 Huawei confidential, no disclosure without permission of 144 pages

4.3.4 The Meaning of K Value in Engineering Design ...................................................... 57 4.4 Fading caused by Several Atmospheric and Earth Effects ................................................ 58

4.4.1 Fading Types............................................................................................................ 58 4.4.2 Influence of Troposphere on Electric Wave Propagation ........................................ 59 4.4.3 Fading Rules (microwave frequency bands lower than 10 GHz)............................. 61

4.5 Frequency Selective Fading ............................................................................................... 62 4.5.1 Multi-path Propagation of Electric Waves ................................................................ 62 4.5.2 Influence of Frequency Selective Fading on Transmission Quality of Microwave Communication Systems .................................................................................................. 63

4.6 Statistic Feature of Fading.................................................................................................. 64 4.6.1 Microwave Fading Model—Rayleigh Distribution Function ..................................... 64 4.6.2 Engineering Calculation of Rayleigh Fading Probability .......................................... 65

4.7 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 66 Chapter 5 Anti-Fading Technology in Digital Microwave Equipment ....................................... 67

5.1 Overview............................................................................................................................. 67 5.1.1 Purposes of Taking Anti-Fading Measures.............................................................. 67 5.1.2 Classification of Anti-Fading Measures.................................................................... 68 5.1.3 Evaluation on Anti-Fading Measures ....................................................................... 69

5.2 Adaptive Equalization ......................................................................................................... 70 5.2.1 AFE .......................................................................................................................... 70 5.2.2 ATE .......................................................................................................................... 72

5.3 Cross-Polarization Interference Counteracter (XPIC) ........................................................ 73 5.4 Automatic Transmit Power Control (ATPC)........................................................................ 74 5.5 Diversity Reception............................................................................................................. 76

5.5.1 Classification of Diversity Reception........................................................................ 76 5.5.2 Description of Space Diversity ................................................................................. 78 5.5.3 Compound Mode of Diversity Signals...................................................................... 80

5.6 Microwave Equipment Protection Mode ............................................................................. 81 5.6.1 HSM ......................................................................................................................... 81 5.6.2 HSB .......................................................................................................................... 82 5.6.3 Classification of Digital Microwave Equipment Protection Modes ........................... 83

5.7 Interference and Main Methods against Interference......................................................... 85 5.7.1 Interference Source.................................................................................................. 85 5.7.2 Basic Methods of Communication System against Interference ............................. 85

5.8 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 87 Chapter 6 Digital Microwave Engineering Calculation............................................................... 87

6.1 Overview............................................................................................................................. 87 6.2 Microwave Path Parameter Calculation ............................................................................. 87

6.2.1 Microwave Station Antenna Communication Azimuth Calculation .......................... 87 6.2.2 Calculation of Path Distance.................................................................................... 89 6.2.3 Calculation of Elevation and Minus Angles.............................................................. 89 6.2.4 Calculation of Clearance .......................................................................................... 90 6.2.5 Calculation of Reflection Point ................................................................................. 91 6.2.6 Determining Antenna Gain....................................................................................... 91

6.3 Calculation of Microwave Circuit Index............................................................................... 92 6.3.1 Calculation of Receiving Level and Flat Fading Margin........................................... 92 6.3.2 Calculation of Interference Level.............................................................................. 92 6.3.3 Calculation of Diversity Receiving Parameter.......................................................... 94 6.3.4 Calculation of Circuit Interruption Rate .................................................................... 97 6.3.5 Rain Fading............................................................................................................ 102 6.3.6 Gas Absorption....................................................................................................... 104

6.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 105 Chapter 7 Microwave Engineering Design Requirement ......................................................... 105

7.1 Overview........................................................................................................................... 105


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7.2 Basic Requirement of Microwave Path and Cross-section Design .................................. 106 7.2.1 Cross Section and Station Distance ...................................................................... 106 7.2.2 Clearance Standard ............................................................................................... 107 7.2.3 Antenna Height and Space Diversity Distance ...................................................... 108

7.3 Selecting Microwave Band and Configuring Polarization................................................. 109 7.3.1 Selecting Microwave Band..................................................................................... 109 7.3.2 Arrangement of Microwave Frequency and Polarization ....................................... 110

7.4 Technical Requirement of Digital Microwave Relay Communication Engineering Design113 7.4.1 PDH Microwave Engineering Design Technical Requirement............................... 113 7.4.2 SDH Microwave Engineering Design Technical Requirement............................... 116 7.4.3 Access Network Technical Requirement—26 GHz Local Multiple-point Distribution System (LMDS) ............................................................................................................... 118 7.4.4 Access Network Technical Requirement—3.5 GHz Fixed Radio Access ............. 119

7.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 120 Chapter 8 Microwave Engineering Design ................................................................................ 120

8.1 Design Method.................................................................................................................. 120 8.1.1 Overview ................................................................................................................ 120 8.1.2 Route, Site and Antenna Height............................................................................. 121 8.1.3 Frequency Selection and Polarization Arrangement.............................................. 123 8.1.4 Circuit Performance Estimate ................................................................................ 124

8.2 Design Example................................................................................................................ 125 8.2.1 SDH Microwave Circuit .......................................................................................... 125 8.2.2 SDH Microwave Site Type and Polarization Configuration.................................... 135 8.2.3 Calculation of PDH Microwave Circuit Indexes...................................................... 139

8.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 142 Chapter 9 Precautions in Engineering Design .......................................................................... 142

9.1 Equipment Layout............................................................................................................. 142 9.2 Installation of Microwave Antenna.................................................................................... 143 9.3 Process Requirement for the Tower................................................................................. 143

9.3.1 Process Requirement of New Established Tower.................................................. 143 9.3.2 Orientation Requirement of Newly Established Tower .......................................... 144 9.3.3 Requirement for Old Tower to be used.................................................................. 144

9.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 144


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Key word:

Microwave antenna ODU IDU fading anti-fading route site antenna height

Abstract:

This document describes basic concepts of the microwave and microwave communication to help technical support staff learn microwave products and improve their ability to maintain microwave equipment.

There are nine chapters in this document. First chapter is an overview about the

microwave communication; succeeding chapters introduce the digital

microwave communication equipment, split microwave, typical networking

modes and application and site types of the microwave, the relay site,

transmission theory of the microwave which includes fading in the transmission

process, technology against fading, microwave equipment protection modes,

interference and anti-interference technology.

The last four chapters relate the microwave engineering calculation, microwave engineering design requirements, microwave engineering design methods and issues that should be attended to in engineering design. As the fundamentals of microwave engineering design, these four chapters are optional in reading.

Abbreviations:

None

References:

None


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Chapter 1 Microwave Communication Overview

Objectives:

To understand what is microwave communication

To know the challenges and opportunities for the microwave communication

To have an overall concept about the microwave communication

1.1 Basic Concepts of Digital Microwave

Microwave is electromagnetic wave with frequency from 300MHz to 300GHz and it is a finite frequency band of the entire electromagnetic wave spectrum. According to the microwave transmission feature, microwave can be viewed as plane wave. Along the transmission direction, the plane wave has no longitudinal components of electric field and magnetic field. Both electric field and magnetic field are vertical to the transmission direction. Thus, the plane wave is called transverse electromagnetic wave and marked as TEM wave. For the application of each frequency band in the microwave spectrum, see figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1 application of each frequency band in the microwave spectrum

In figure 1.1, VHF and LF are ground wave which is very capable of diffraction and can diffract hundreds of kilometers; they are mainly used in radio and navigation. MF is used in broadcast and is less capable of diffraction than VHF and LF. HF is not ground wave, and it is reflected to the ionosphere. VHF and UHF are used in TV. Though UHF is used in TV, (that is, the microwave is involved) it is not called microwave. After the microwave, it is optical wave which is also a type of electromagnetic wave.


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Digital microwave communication refers to a type of communication mode which uses microwave (frequency) to carry digital information through the electric wave space, transmit independent information and conduct regeneration. Microwave is weak in diffraction and it is only line-of-sight communication, therefore, it has a limited transmission distance. In long-distance transmission, relay is needed to connect sites. Thus, it is called microwave relay communication.

Microwave communication uses microwave as the carrier of signals, which is similar to optical fiber communication that uses light as the carrier of signals. Simply speaking, transmitting module and optoelectronic inspection module used for receiving in the optical fiber transmission system are similar to the transmitting and receiving antenna. Compared with the optical fiber communication with wire channels, microwave channel is wireless and microwave communication is much more complicated.

1.2 Microwave Development Course

Microwave communication technology comes into being half a century ago. It is a wireless line-of-sight communication means that propagates information in the radio-frequency band around the ground. Original microwave communication systems are all analog, and same as the coaxial cable carrier transmission system at that time, they are the major transmission means of the communication network long-distance transmission trunk. In the year of 1958, China began to study, develop, introduce and apply the analogue microwave communication technology. In the 1970’s, China developed the low- and medium-capacity (such as 8Mb/s and 34Mb/s) digital microwave communication system, which was the outcome of communication technology from the analogue to the digital.

In the late 1980’s, SDH was widely used in transmission system and SDH

high-capacity digital microwave communication system of N×155Mb/s was

developed. Now, digital microwave communication, optical fiber communication

and satellite communication are considered as the three major means of

modern communication transmission. Following sections describe microwave

development history both in China and the world.

1.2.1 Microwave Evolution in the World

In the year of 1947, Bell lab built the first analogue microwave trial circuit (TD-X) between New York and Boston. This circuit used vacuum tube to amplify signals and adopted the frequency modulation (FM) mode. In the year of 1950, 4 GHz TD-2 system carried commercial telephone services for the first time. Since early 1950’s, except America, the backbones of Australia, Canada, France, Italy and Japan were all installed with microwave-relay system similar to the TD-2 system. In the year of 1979, radio-channel capacity of Japanese commercial system was up to 3600 telephone channels, and till 1980, American commercial system AR6A adopted single-sideband modulation technology and arranged 6000 telephone channels in 30 MHz bandwidth of 6 GHz frequency band, which made the transport cost of each channel to the minimum unprecedented. To improve the voice quality, in the late 1960’s, digital radio-relay came into being


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for the first time. To improve the frequency spectrum efficiency, high-status modulation modes 64QAM, 128QAM, 512QAM appears and the frequency spectrum efficiency is raised to 10bit/s/Hz. In the year of 1988, based on the American SONET, the ITU formulated the SDH transmission network standard. Compared with the former PDH, SDH unifies the standards of Europe and North America and made intercommunication of STM-1 and higher rate in the world become available. SDH system adopts synchronous multiplex and flexible mapping structure. It can add/drop lower-order tributary signals directly to/from higher-order tributaries; avoid multiplexing of many hierarchies and simplify the equipment. Moreover, SDH system provides sufficient overhead bytes, which strengthens the operation, management, maintenance and provision of the network. Therefore, SDH was rapidly developed in the 1990’s.

1.2.2 Microwave Evolution in China

(1) Analogue Microwave Evolution

China already began to develop analogue radio communication system of 60

channels and 300 channels since 1957 and began the research of 600 channels

in 1964, 960 channels in 1966. And in 1986, China developed 1800 channels

analogue microwave system (sixth five year state key technologies R&D

program). Based on those achievements, China built analogue microwave

circuits of more than 20,000 kilometers.

(2) PDH Digital Microwave Evolution

PDH is formulated by CCITT (the previous name of ITU) in 1960’s. China introduced a set of PDH microwave equipment from abroad in late 1960’s. In the year of 1979, China built the first trunk PDH microwave circuit (between Beijing and Wuhan, introduced from abroad by State Electric Power Ministry). In the year of 1986, China independently developed 4 GHz 34 Mbit/s PDH microwave system and built it between Fuzhou and Xiamen. During 1987 and 1989, the former Telecommunications Ministry built 6 GHz 140 Mbit/s PDH microwave circuit between Beijing and Shanghai. In 1992, China independently developed 6GHz 140Mbps PDH microwave system (achievement of seventh five year state key technologies R&D program) and built it between Wuchang and Yangluo in Hubei province. After 1995, low and medium capacity PDH microwave systems needed in mobile communication coverage are greatly developed. Split microwave system, which is easy to install and dismantle, gradually replaces trunk microwave system.

(3) SDH Digital Microwave Evolution

SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy) was developed in the world in 1992. The first SDH microwave circuit in China was introduced and built by Jilin Broadcast Television Bureau in 1995. During 1995 and 1996, the former State Telecommunications Ministry began to introduce and build SDH microwave circuit. In 1997, the 6 GHz SDH microwave circuit (achievement of ninth five year state technologies R&D program) developed by China independently passed the verification and was accepted in Shandong. After the year of 2000, Information Industry Ministry discontinues to build SDH microwave used in national backbone public network. Due to the industry features and their own


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demands, industries such as broadcast television, coal, oil, water and natural gas pipe have already become the main force of the SDH microwave. SDH minimized split microwave systems are already being applied in mobile, emergent and metro networks.

1.3 Characteristics of Digital Radio Communication System

Radio communication system, especially the digital radio communication

system, has the following advantages:

Can be rapidly installed

Can use the existing network infrastructure repeatedly (digital radio uses the infrastructure of the analogue radio)

Can cross complicated terrains (rivers, lakes and mountains)

Can use point-to-point radio transmission structure in the remote mountains

Can rapidly restore the communication after the natural disasters

Can protect hybrid multiple transmission media

Those advantages not only apply to the fixed nodes or temporary nodes and

feeder routes in the urban areas, but also apply to very long long-distance

routes.

For example, Russian Telecommunications build a very long long-distance

route (totally more than 8000 km) of SDH digital microwave radio-relay system.

This network uses the existing infrastructure, have total capacity of eight radio

frequency (RF) channels (six primary channels and two protection channels)

and each channel carries 155 Mbit/s.

Another example, Canada uses optical fiber transmission system and radio

transmission system together to constitute a transmission network, to overcome

the difficulties of geographical conditions.

High capability SDH microwave circuit of China should be Beijing-Guangzhou

backbone microwave circuit built in 1998, which occupies two frequencies and

is configured in 2×2×(7+1) with a total transmission capacity up to 4.8 Gbit/s.

In metropolises and urban areas, digital microwave is always considered as the only optional means that can parallel optical cables in terms of building digital nodes and distributing networks. In fact, it is very expensive to bury underground cables in the metropolises and towns and it is unlikely to get approved to trench in downtown areas, particularly in the developed countries such as European countries and America. It is said that, in developed countries, 80%–90%of the transmission used for mobile coverage adopts digital radio system.


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In most parts of the world, radio-relay links may be the only available high-capacity transmission medium in crossing thousands of miles of wood areas, mountains, prairies, deserts, wetlands and other rough areas. Furthermore, for the power consumption of radio-relay links is very low, solar power already becomes a major factor in such rough areas using digital radio-relay systems.

For the microwave circuit is unlikely to be damaged by human activities and natural disasters, therefore, microwave system is an indispensable part to constitute China communication networks and ensure the security of communication networks.

Currently, microwave is still a most promising means of communications. In 1976 when the earthquake occurred in Tangshan, all the coaxial cables between Beijing and Tianjin were broken, but the six microwave channels were free from any damage. Therefore, if network planning is carefully and reasonably carried out and proper information volume is used to cover the land, radio-relay links together with other modern transmission media can support and supplement optical fiber transmission networks.

Microwave yet has some disadvantages. In microwave transmission,

Line-of-sight transmission conditions should be ensured

Transmission distance between two stations should be not too long

Frequencies need to be applied for

Communication quality is greatly affected by the environment and

Communication capacity is limited

1.4 Challenges and Opportunities for Digital Microwave Communication

1.4.1 Optical Fiber Communication—Biggest Challenge for Digital Microwave Communication

Rising of optical fiber communication is the most scientific event in the twentieth century. Since the optical fiber transmission theory is proposed in 1970’s and the optical fiber is practically used in 1980’s, the optical fiber communication is greatly developed. Due to its huge bandwidth, minimum loss and lowest cost, optical fiber communication becomes a major means of the backbone transmission and enormously impacts the digital microwave communication.

Challenge 1: can the backbone digital microwave systems be used as protection for backbone optical fiber systems?

Since the beginning of 1990’s, administration of telecommunications begins to use high-capacity optical fiber systems as the major transmission means of the national information highway, which becomes an overwhelming trend. In the middle and late 1990’s, when China administration of telecommunications notes


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the huge capacity of the optical fiber communication, it also observes the great influence of the optical fiber systems on the telecommunication when the systems are affected by natural disasters and human destructive acts. To ensure the normal running of communications, about ten national backbone SDH radio communication circuits are established to protect the backbone optical networks. However, in the twenty-first century, optical networks are sufficiently built from west to east and from north to south, the previous problems of optical fiber communication can be completely solved by redundant circuit, and the significance of using digital microwave systems as the protection of optical communications is reduced.

Challenge 2: can the capacity of digital microwave systems be increased?

To increase the capacity of digital microwave systems, microwave R&D engineers adopts a series of advanced technologies:

High-status modulation demodulation, 64QAM/128QAM/256QAM/512QAM

XPIC—a cross-polarization interference counteract technology, which can

realize co-channel frequency multiplex. Then, the transmission capacity

can multiple under same radio-frequency bandwidth

New efficient correction coding technology, such as TCM, MLCM and RS

A series of anti-multi-fading technologies, such as frequency field

equalization, time field equalization, space diversity and all kinds of

diversity technologies

Other new technologies, such as ATPC, transmitting power spectrum

molding technology

It is said that, at the end of 1990’s, some research institutes claimed that they already achieved the technology that under 28 MHz channel bandwidth, using high-status modulation-demodulation 1024QAM, XPIC and other advanced technologies to transmit STM-4 and make the total transmission capacity up to 4.8 Gbit/s in 500 MHz frequency band (such as L6 GHz frequency band). However, due to many reasons, this technology is not commercialized in use. Though capacity of 4.8 Gbit/s of the microwave communication systems is very remarkable, it is far less than the capacity of optical fiber communications which is up to dozens of or even hundreds of Gbit/s in a single fiber.

1.4.2 Opportunities for Digital Microwave Communication

As a radio transmission means, digital microwave transmission have the advantages that the optical fiber cannot parallel in terms of flexibility, anti-disaster and mobility. At present, the opportunities of digital microwave can be included as follows: used as dedicated network or the backup and supplement of the dedicated optical fiber transmission. China dedicated networks, such as broadcast television, oil, natural gas pipe, coal and water, do not need high capability transmission, normally, an STM-1 or several STM-1s. Those networks are either built with optical fiber communication circuits, or only built with single-line optical fiber communication links. They do not have the


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advantage like the telecommunication does which is built with sufficient optical networks from west to east and north to south. Therefore, those networks must be built with SDH or PDH microwave circuits used

To transmit data services and telegraphy

As the protection for the optical transmission systems in natural disasters

In some situations that the optical transmission systems are inapplicable

In China, 2 G and 2.5 G mobile communication stations use most PDH microwave communication circuits. Along with the award of 3G license, the transmission capacity is to be expanded. In addition, participation of fixed network operator may further raise the fever of mobile coverage. Succeeding to the optical fiber transmission, the digital microwave transmission is surely to be in increasing demands and the SDH microwave may be in great demand, too. When China telecommunication products, especially mobile communication systems are expanding to the oversea countries, digital microwave transmission products is also exported.

Other methods of microwave communications, for example:

(1) Point to multi-point microwave communication system (PMP): it has two

categories of user line type and relay line type, the radio user loop in the

microwave frequency band can belong to the PMP. PMP is mainly used in

remote areas such as countryside, islands, and dedicated communication

networks.

(2) Microwave spreading data transmission system, such as point-to-point

2.4GHz spreading microwave, point to multi-point 2.4GHz spreading

microwave data network.

(3) Temporary microwave communication, which adopts upper frequency band

point-to-point microwave communication system and can easily settle burst

matters in the communications.

(4) Local multi-point distributed service, which works at the frequency band

from 26 to 28 GHz and can be used in the future wideband services access,

it is called wireless fiber.

Those various microwave communication methods may last perpetually for their

diversity and flexibility.


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1.5 Microwave Frequency Band Choice and RF Channel Arrangements

Frequency bands frequently used in microwave transmission include 7G/8G/11G/13G/15G/18G/23G/26G/32G/38G (defined by Rec. ITU-R). Each frequency band is used as follows:

Figure1.2 the use of commom frequency band

(1) For long-distance PDH microwave circuit (more than 15 km), use 8 GHz frequency band. If the distance is not more than 25 km, use 11 GHz. Choose specific frequency band based on the local weather condition and microwave transmission cross section.

(2) For short-distance PDN microwave circuit (normally used in the access layer, within 10 km), consider using 11 GHz, 13 GHz, 14 GHz, 15 GHz and 18 GHz.

(3) For long-distance SDH microwave circuit (normally exceeding 15 km), use 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 7 GHz and 8 GHz. If the distance is not more than 20 km, consider using 11 GHz. Choose specific frequency band based on the local weather condition and microwave transmission cross section.

Frequency bands 7G, 8 G, 11G, 13G, 15G, 18G, 23G are not contiguous, for the microwave frequency resources are internationally defined and radar needs to use some frequency bands. The microwave used in transmission is above 4G, 2G is used by mobile communication. Microwave communications previously use 1.5G, and later ITU-T decides to allocate 2G to mobile communication and 9G to meteorologic radar.

Radio resources are restricted by the administrations but the optical cable is not. Microwave frequency needs to be applied for but it does not need to be applied for in a certain period. In the past, 1.8G and 2.4G are used as spreading frequencies such as microwave oven, Bluetooth. 1.8 G and 2.4 G can be transmitted in the noise, but now the interference is too heavy and 2.4 G cannot be randomly used.

In each frequency band, various frequency ranges, transmitting and receiving (T/R) spacing and channel spacing are defined. The channel spacing is equal to channel bandwidth. In using a certain frequency band, there are specifications


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for the center frequency, T/R spacing and channel spacing. And the specification can be looked up in relevant frequency specifications.

Figure1.3 simple concepts of microwave frequency band arrangements

After deciding the microwave frequency band, configure the RF channels. To configure RF channels is to subdivide the specific frequency band, to make the bands adapt to frequency spectrum that the transmitter needs. Those subdivided frequency bands are called “channel”. Normally, any channel is expressed by the center frequency it is configured and an ordinal number. The width of the channel is decided by the spectrum of the signals transmitted, that is, the capacity and the modulation mode adopted.

In configuring RF channel, following factors should be considered:

(1) Utmost economy and efficiency of the RF frequency

(2) Enough spacing between transmitting frequency and receiving frequency in a microwave station to avoid serious interference generated by transmitter to receiver

(3) In multi-channel working system, adjacent channels must have enough

frequency spacing to avoid interference generated by each other

(4) Enough guard bands should be reserved at the edge of the distributed frequency band to avoid generating interference with the system working on the adjacent frequency band

(5) Most RF channel arrangements are based on the homogeneous patterns

ITU-R F.746-3 “Radio-Frequency Channel Arrangements for Radio-Relay Systems” recommends that homogeneous patterns are preferred as the basis for radio-frequency channel arrangements. Normally, the basic channel spacing is 2.5 MHz and 3.5 MHz. Digital microwave systems that adopt such channel spacing support the bit rate of both North America and Europe. In the pattern of 3.5 MHz, it may be subdivided into 1.75 MHz spacing to meet the transmission requirement of 1E1 and 2E1 in the low capacity mobile coverage.


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1.6 Digital Microwave Communication System Model

Digital microwave communication system model:

source

Signal channel

codingradio space

demodulation

modulation

channel decoding

signal sink

signal sink

Frequencyband

Transmissionchannel

transmit end

baseband

signal

Receiveend

Basebansignal

sourcesource

Signal channel

codingradio space

demodulation

modulation

channel decoding

signal sink

signal sink

Frequencyband

Transmissionchannel

transmit end

baseband

signal

Receiveend

Basebansignal

Figure 1.4 Digital microwave communication system model

Signal source of the transmit end is the equipment that provides original signals, it outputs digital signals.

Channel coding is to improve the reliability of transmitting digital signals. For noise and interference may inevitably exist in the channel, the digital signals transmitted may generate error bit. To make the code element automatically checked and corrected at the receive end, channel coder is used to add some additional code elements to the input digital hierarchy based on certain rules, and form new digital hierarchy. At the receive end, signals are checked based on the rules of the new digital code element hierarchy.

Modulation is to modulate the digital signals to the carrier of higher frequencies to make it adapt to radio channel transmission.

Functions of demodulation and channel decoding at the receive end are opposite to that of modulation and channel code at the transmit end.

1.6.1 Modulation Method of Digital Microwave

Digital signal unmodulated is called digital baseband signal. For the baseband signal cannot be transmitted in the radio microwave channels, it must be converted to frequency band signal, that is, implement digital modulation to the carrier based on the baseband signals. After the modulation, intermediate frequency (IF) signal is obtained. Normally, frequency of the upper IF signal is 350 MHz, and the lower 140MHz. In some circumstances, frequency of the upper IF signal is 850 MHz, and the lower 70 MHz.

To transmit the signal by the microwave, it should be converted to RF signals by the upconversion. Upconversion is a process to mix the IF signals and a high-frequency local oscillation signal and then get the upper sideband signal after the frequency mixing. Down-conversion is a reverse process of the


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upconversion with the same principle, but it gets different combination of local oscillation signal and microwave signal, namely, obtains the lower sideband signal after the frequency mixing. Slight shift of local oscillation signal may cause large frequency shift of the emitting signals and the receiving signals. Therefore, their frequency stability is dependent on the frequency stability of the local oscillation signals.

Figure 1.5 Modulation process of digital microwave signal

Modulation process of digital baseband signal can be simply expressed as

Amplitude shift keying (ASK): using digital baseband signal to change

carrier A, Wc AND φ are not changed

Frequency shift keying (FSK): using digital baseband signal to change

carrier Wc, A and φ are not changed

Phase shift keying (PSK): using digital baseband signal to change carrier φ,

A and φ are not changed

Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM): using digital baseband signal to

change carriers φ and A, Wc is not changed

Currently, PSK is a critical modulation used in low and medium capacity radio communication systems. It has better anti-interference performance and is a very simple modulation and cost-effective. Current low and medium capacity digital radio communication systems use quaternary phase shift keying (4PSK or QPSK) modulation. Typical manufacturers include NEC, Ericsson and Nokia.

FSK is also a critical modulation used in low and medium capacity radio communication systems. But its anti-interference performance and decoding threshold is not better than that of PSK, and it occupies larger channel bandwidth. Current low and medium capacity digital radio communication


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systems use quaternary FSK (4FSK) modulation. Typical manufacturers include DMC and Harris.

MQAM is a carrier keying mode largely used in high capacity digital radio communication systems. This mode has higher frequency spectrum utilization and when the modulation of more than binary, the signal vector set is reasonably allocated and the mode can be easily carried out.

PDH microwave systems mainly use PSK, 4PSK (4QAM) and 8PSK and some systems also use MQAM such as 16QAM. SDH microwave systems typically use MQAM (usually, 32QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM and 512QAM). QAM modulation has higher frequency band utilization. Waveforms of typical modulations are as follows:

Figure 1.6 Waveform of typical modulations

1.6.2 Channel Utilization of Each Modulation

Channel utilization is typical concept used to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each modulation. Channel utilization is defined as: the ratio of signal baseband bandwidth to transmission channel bandwidth (bit/s/Hz). For binary digital signal, the frequency band utilization of the baseband transmission channel is 2FB/FB=2(bit/s/Hz).

For high-frequency channel, “baseband signal” is dual-sideband signal that is already modulated.

In practice, for the baseband transmission channel is not ideally rectangular, the channel bandwidth should be properly widened, and the nominal digital microwave channel utilization is smaller than the theoretical value. Following is the theoretical values of high-frequency channel utilization of each modulation and nominal digital microwave channel utilization.

Table 1.1 Ratio of channel utilization of typical modulations

Modulation modes Bandwidth utilization of baseband transmission channel

Bandwidth utilization of high-frequency channel

Bandwidth utilization of nominal microwave channel

4FSK 2 <1 <2 4PSK 2 1 2 8PSK 2 1.5 3


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16PSK 2 2 4 16QAM 2 2 4 64QAM 2 3 6

1.7 Digital Microwave Frame Structure

In digital microwave system, to transmit digital orderwire, wayside information, ATPC information correction bit, channel switching, some complementary bits should be added to the main data flow from the SDH multiplexing equipment, that is, radio frame complementary overhead (RFCOH).

Each manufacturer arranges the frame structure based on the transmission rate,

modulation and correction modes adopted and types of complementary

information needed, therefore, the radio frame structure of equipment

manufactured by different manufacturers are different. Following figure shows

the frame structure of equipment using multi-level coded modulation (MLCM)

Figure 1.7 Radio frame overhead of equipment using MLCM

RFCOH: radio frame complementary overhead

MLCM: multi-level coded modulation

DMY: Dummy

WS: wayside services

XPIC: cross polarization interference counteract

RSC: radio service

INI: N:1 switch instruction

ID: Idientificaiton

FA: Frame synchronization

ATPC: automatic transmitter power control


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Total rate of the supervision bit that is added for multi-level code is 11.84 Mb/s. The WS is 30 PCM telephone channels and the nominal rate is 2.048 Mb/s. To use the same clock as the main data system, before the radio frame multiplexing, use positive justification to adjust the nominal rate to 2.24 Mb/s, and then enter it to the microwave multiplexing circuit. There are total 13 channels of RSC and control signals, each channel is 64 kb/s, total rate is 832 kb/s. Convert the rate to be 864 kb/s and enter it to microwave multiplexing circuit. The 13 channels include two user channels which can transmit voice or data signals, the other channels are auxiliary switching signal: four channels are used in main channel service switching information and other six channels are system monitor channels. ID is used to separate different microwave channels.

Figure 1.8 Microwave frame when MLCM is used

The frame structure of SDH is a block by byte and it has specific alignment. Microwave frame is different from others for it is by bit and its alignment is determined based on specific applications and without any order.

I indicates information bit, C1 and C2 indicate correction coding supervision bit

of first level and second level. FS indicates frame synchronization bit, “a” and

“b” indicate other complementary overhead bits.

Have a think:

What do you learn in this chapter?

1. What is the meaning of microwave?

2. What is digital microwave communication?

3. What are the challenges and opportunities for microwave

communication at the present?

4. How to arrange the microwave RF channels?

5. What is the basic model of microwave communication?

6. What are the modulations of microwave?


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7. What is microwave frame like?

1.8 Conclusion

This chapter explains the concepts of microwave and digital microwave communications, the development course and features of microwave communication. It describes the current challenges and opportunities for microwave communications, introduces the arrangements of microwave RF channels and microwave modulations, and explains the microwave frame structure.

Chapter 2 Introduction to Digital Microwave Equipment

Objectives:

To know the classification of microwave equipment

To understand roles, constituents and performance indexes of antenna and feeder, outdoor unit (ODU) and indoor unit (IDU) of split microwave equipment

To learn split microwave equipment installation and antenna adjustment

To have an overall idea of microwave equipment

2.1 Digital Microwave Equipment Classification

Based on different classification methods, the digital microwave equipment can be classified based on the following modes:

Table 2.1 Microwave equipment classification

Mode Digital microwave Analogue microwave Multiplexing mode PDH SDH

capacity 2–16E1 34M

STM-0 STM-1 2 x STM-1

All-indoor microwave Split microwave Structure All-outdoor microwave

Eliminated

Currently, common classification method is, based on structure, to classify the microwave equipment into split microwave, all-indoor microwave and all-outdoor microwave.

All-indoor microwave is commonly called big microwave. Its RF unit (RFU), signal processing unit (SPU) and multiplexer reside indoor, only the antenna is


Internal Use Only


outdoor. It has a high transmission capacity and is suitable to backbone line transmission, but its cost is high.

Figure 2.1 All-indoor microwave

All the units of all-outdoor microwave reside outdoor. All-outdoor microwave is

easy to install and saves equipment room space. For it is outdoor, it is easily

damaged.

Figure 2.2 All-outdoor microwave


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Figure 2.3 Split microwave

Split microwave equipment consists of ODU and IDU. The antenna and ODU are connected by waveguide pipe, and the IDU and ODU are connected by IF cable. IF cable is used to transmit the IF service signals between IDU and ODU and the IDU/ODU communication control signals and provides power to the ODU. Split microwave equipment has a low capacity and is easy to install and maintain and available in quickly building networks. It is the most widely used microwave equipment for the present.

2.2 Microwave antenna and feeder

2.2.1 Microwave antenna

The antenna is used to directionally radiate the microwave power emitted by the transmitter ODU and transmit the microwave power received to the receiver ODU. Commonly used microwave antenna includes parabolic antenna and cassegrain antenna. The diameter of the microwave antenna produced by China is 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, 2.5, 3.2m, and that is imported from abroad is 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, 3.0m. There are many types of antennas. Antenna of different diameters has different specifications for different frequencies. Ericsson Mini-link has 46 types of antennas.

Figure2.4 Parabolic antenna Figure2.5 Cassegrain

antenna


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N channels in the same frequency band can share the same antenna.

Figure2.6 same antenna shares N channels

In a radio-relay system, the requirements for the antenna are that the antenna should be highly efficient, the sidelobe level should be low, cross-polarization discrimination should be high, voltage standing wave ratio should be low and the working frequency band should be wide. The main parameters of the antenna are as follows:

(1) Antenna gain

Gain is a major parameter of the antenna. When the size of the antenna is certain, the antenna gain directly reflects the efficiency of the antenna.

The gain is the ratio of the input power Pio of isotropic antenna to the input

power Pi of the surface antenna when the surface antenna and isotropic

antenna produce the same electric field at the same place.

Antenna gain of the microwave antenna is expressed by:

ηλπ

∗⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛==

2DPP

Gi

io

In the formula, D is the diameter of the parabolic antenna, λ is the working wavelength, η is a surface usability coefficient, which is decided by the antenna processing accuracy and the active loss, normally, η ranges from 0.45 to 0.6. The gain given in the antenna indexes is the maximum radiation direction (main lobe) gain and expressed by dB.

G (dB) =10logG=10log [(πD/λ) 2×η

(2) Half-power angle (3 dB beam width)

Deviate to the two sides from the main slobe, when the direction is deviated to the point where the power decreases half, the point is called the half-power point. And the separation angle between the two half-power points is half-power angle.


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Half-power angle is expressed by:

Dλθ )70~65( 00

5.0 =

From this formula, you can see that, when the antenna diameter is certain, the higher the working frequency is, the smaller the half-power angle is, and the higher the power integration is. When the working frequency is certain, the larger the antenna diameter is, the smaller the half-power angle is.

(3) Cross-polarization discrimination (XPD)

XPD is, for a radio wave transmitted with a given polarization, the ratio at the reception point of the power received with the expected polarization to the power received with the orthogonal polarization. The XPD should be high to suppress the interference from the orthogonal polarization signal. High capacity radio-relay system (SDH microwave system) widely uses co-channel orthogonal polarization frequency multiplexing to improve communication capacity and save frequencies and it has strict requirement for the XPD (such as the XPD should be larger than 40 dB).

XPD=10lgPo/Px

In the formula,

“ 0p ” is the receiving power to the normal polarization wave

“ xp ” is the receiving power to the abnormal polarization wave

In actual microwave circuit, due to multi-path propagation effect and rain, XPD may degrade. For frequency band lower than 10 GHz, the main cause to XPD degradation is multi-path effect. For the two orthogonal polarization signals reach at different angles in communication, and the influence of the geographical and meteorologic conditions on the two orthogonal polarizations are not totally relevant, which cause the XPD to change in actual practice. Even though there is no fading or there is up fading, the XPD is tested to be distributed logarithmically and normally rather than a constant value.

(4) Antenna protection ratio

Antenna protection ratio is the attenuation of the antenna reception capability in some direction to the antenna reception capability in the main lobe direction. For protection ratio of 180°, it is also called front/rear ratio. Antenna protection ratio is an import index in the microwave communication.

(5) Voltage standing wave ratio


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The connecting impedance between the antenna and the feeder should be

matched and the voltage standing wave ratio at the input must be smaller. The

standing wave ratio of normal antenna is between 1.05 and 1.2.

2.2.2 Classification of Microwave Antennas

Based on installation method, microwave antenna can be classified as hanging

antenna and seating antenna.

Based on electric feature, it can be classified as standard antenna and

high-performance antenna.

The front and rear of the high-performance antenna is larger than that of the

standard antenna with more than 10 dB.

2.2.3 Feeder System

Feeder system consists of the feeder connecting branching system to antennas

and the waveguide components, and it has several installation methods.

Currently, elliptical waveguide is commonly used.

(a) Elliptical waveguide (b) Flexible twist waveguide

Figure 2.7 Typical feeders

Elliptical waveguide has lower loss in certain length and is suitable for long

feeders. Normally, it is used in frequency band from 2 to 11GHz and it is the

most typical microwave feeder. Now, elliptical waveguide is widely used in

frequency band ranging from 4 GHz to 15 GHz as the feeder for it makes the

layout and installation of the feeders easier. The entire feeder system includes

elliptical waveguide, elliptical-rectangular converter, sealing section and air-filled

waveguide section. To protect feeder, the feeder must be charged with dry gas.

In installing the elliptical waveguide, you must follow the product specification;

otherwise, the standing wave ratio of the feeder might be affected.


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Flexible twist waveguide is used to connect the ODU and the antenna. It is easy

to install and can ensure the connection accuracy, and it has function of twisting.

The disadvantage of the flexible twist waveguide is huge loss.

Coaxial cable has huge loss in certain length. It is better to use the coaxial cable

in occasion that the antenna is near the transceiver. Normally, it is used in the

frequency band lower than 2 GHz. currently, it is seldom used.

There are two ways of connecting elliptical waveguide and branching system:

a) Waveguide: using hard waveguide, E bend and H bend or flexible

waveguide.

b) Coaxial: using coaxial cable

In addition, the access layer typically uses portable PDH and SDH microwave

systems and adopts indoor/outdoor structure. The indoor unit and the outdoor

unit (transceiver) are connected by IF cable. Outdoor unit and antenna are

connected by flange interface (the feeder loss is reduced) or flexible waveguide

of 0.6–0.9 m (the caliber is more than 1.2 m).

Following figures show how the PDH/SDH microwave antenna is connected to

the ODU (transceiver):

Figure 2.8 Antenna connected to ODU

2.2.4 Branching System

Normally, in microwave communication, many channels share the same set of

an antenna and feeder system, which needs branching system to separate

them. The branching system consists of circulator, branching filter, terminator

and connection waveguide. The filter is installed in the rack.


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Branching filter consists of bandpass filter, it only allow designed certain

frequency band to pass and the frequencies that outside the band cannot pass

the filter. The terminator is used to absorb the emitting waves, and the loop

makes the signals progress in a certain direction.

2.3 Outdoor unit (ODU)

ODU is used to convert IF and RF signals, process and amplify the RF signals.

Specification of the ODU is related to the RF frequency and independent of the

transmission capacity. For an ODU cannot cover a frequency band, normally, a

frequency band can be subdivided into three sub-bands: A, B and C. Different

sub-band matches different ODU. Different receiving/transmitting spacing also

matches different ODU and different higher-lower station matches different ODU.

Therefore, ODU types= quantity of the frequency band × quantity of

receiving/transmitting spacing × quantity of sub-band ×2 (for different

manufacturers, different ODU with different capacities may have different types).

Currently, ODU has many types but small batches. Small manufacturers

produce ODU and larger manufacturers integrate ODU. For specific functional

module structure inside ODU, see the following table.

Figure2.9 inner structure of ODU

In Figure 2.9, ODU consists of transmitter and receiver which achieve the

conversion from IF to RF and RF to IF respectively.


Internal Use Only


2.3.1 Constituents of Digital Microwave Transmitter and Major Performance Indexes

I. Functions and constituents of transmitter

Main functions of transmitter are as follows:

(1) Generate proper local oscillation (LO) within the RF band.

(2) Use the local oscillation signal from the local oscillator to convert the

adjusted IF signal from the adjuster to the required frequency in

transmitting.

(3) Achieve pre-distortion of IF and RF of signals to compensate the

non-linearity of RF amplifier.

(4) Achieve amplification of linear RF

(5) Conduct RF filter to eliminate useless frequencies (harmonic mirroring

frequency, local oscillator leakage, stray outcome) to keep the frequency

spectrum within required frame. In the branching system, the local carrier is

combined with other carriers together and sent to the antenna.

Following is the system frame of a typical microwave transmitter

IF amplifiertransmitting mixing

frequencyfilter

microwave power

amplifieroutput power

amplifier

branching

filter

Orderwire

signal

varactor frequency

modulation

varactor frequency

modulation

IF amplifiertransmitting mixing

frequencyfilter

microwave power


amplifier

branching

filteramplifier

transmitting mixing

frequencyamplifier

transmitting mixing

frequencyfilterfilter

microwave power

amplifier

microwave power


amplifier

branching

filter

Orderwire

signal

varactor frequency

modulation

varactor frequency

modulation

varactor frequency

modulation

varactor frequency

modulation

Figure2.10 system frame of receiver

After being amplified by the IF amplifier of the transmitter, IF adjusted signal

from the adjuster is transmitted to the transmitting frequency mixer, and after

transmitting mixing frequency, adjusted IF signal is converted to a frequency of

the RF band. To suppress local oscillator leakage and stray outcome,

equalization frequency mixer is preferred in use. Unilateral filter obtains a

sideband after frequency mixing. Microwave power amplifier is used to amplify

the signals with weak level (-30 dBm to -50 dBm) output by the transmitting

frequency mixer to the required level. Typical RF power amplifier is GaAs FET


Internal Use Only


device. For the SDH microwave system normally uses high-status modulation

mode, it has strict requirement for the linearity of the amplifier. Typical amplifier

works at output power far lower than the compression point of 1 dB, that is,

backoff measures should be taken. But if the backoff quantity increases, the

cost of the amplifier increases, therefore, pre-distortion is adopted to

compensate the residual non-linearity. In normal transmission conditions, ATPC

is used to low the output power, and then the power is amplified to the required

transmitting power by microwave power amplifier, later, the power is transmitted

to branching system, antenna and feeder by the sub-channel filter. RSC is

transmitted by multiplexing modulation.

II. Major Performance Indexes of the Transmitter

(1) Working Frequency Band

Currently, the working frequency bands mainly used in China backbone

microwave system are 4 and 6 GHz. Frequency bands 7, 8 and 11 GHz are

mainly used in branch lines. Frequency bands higher than 13 GHz are mainly

used in access layer such as station access.

(2) Output power

Output power refers to the power at the output port of the transmitter, ranging

from 15 to 30 dBm.

(3) Frequency stability

Each channel of the transmitter has nominal RF center working frequency. The

stability of the working frequency depends on the frequency stability of the

transmitting local oscillator. If the working frequency of the transmitter is

unstable, and there is offset, the amplitude of the effective signal demodulated

may decrease, and bit error rate may increase. Currently, the local oscillator

frequency stability of the microwave equipment is normally about 3–10 ppm.

(4) Transmitting frequency spectrum frame

Spectrum of signal transmitted must comply with certain limitations to prevent

over-wide bandwidth from being occupied, and then over-high interference may

be produced to the adjacent channels. The limitation range of the spectrum is

called frequency frame.


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2.3.2 Constituents and Major Indexes of Receiver

I. 2.3.2.1 Constituents of Receiver

The theory of receiver is: to use low-noise amplifier to amplify the RF signal

from the antenna and convert RF frequency as follows before the demodulation.

The system frame is shown in Figure 2.11.

from

the up

antenna

bandpass

filter

bandpass

filter

low-noise

amplifying

low-noise

amplifying

filter

filter

receiving

frequency

mixing

receiving

frequency

mixing

preset IF

amplifier

preset IF

amplifier

Local

oscillator

shift

inspection

controller (out) IF

composition

Automaticequalization

major IF

amplifier

IF

output

from

the up

antenna

bandpass

filter

bandpass

filter

low-noise

amplifying

low-noise

amplifying

filter

filter

receiving

frequency

mixing

receiving

frequency

mixing

preset IF

amplifier

preset IF

amplifier

Local

oscillator

shift

inspection

controller (out) IF

composition


major IF

amplifier

IF

output

from

the up

antenna

from

the up

antenna

bandpass

filter

bandpass

filter

bandpass

filter

bandpass

filter

low-noise

amplifying

low-noise

amplifying

low-noise

amplifying

low-noise

amplifying

filter filter

filter filter

receiving

frequency

mixing

receiving

frequency

mixing

receiving

frequency

mixing

receiving

frequency

mixing

preset IF

amplifier

preset IF

amplifier

preset IF

amplifier

preset IF

amplifier

Local

oscillator

Local

oscillator

shiftshift

inspection

controller (out)

inspection

controller (out) IF

composition

IF

composition


major IF

amplifier

major IF

amplifier

IF

output

IF

output

Figure 2.11 System frame of receiver

Direct wave from the upper antenna and the lower antenna and the electric

wave that reaches the receiving point by means of all paths pass two same

channels: bandpass filter, low-noise amplifier, mirror-suppressing filter,

receiving frequency mixing, preset IF amplifier and then they are composed and

amplified by the IF amplifier and then the IF modulated signal is output.

In the receiver:

(1) Use LAN with low noise coefficient to pre-amplify the RF signals.

(2) Use local oscillator to convert the RF signals from the antenna via the

branching filter components to IF signals.

(3) Use variable gain amplifier to amplify the IF signals to maintain the level

unchanged when the propagation fading changes.

For most receivers, the gain is carried by the major IF amplifier, its variable gain

is used to compensate the RF signal fading caused by propagation. The reason


Internal Use Only


why IF amplifier is set with automatic gain control circuit is to make the level of

the signal that is transmitted to the modulator keep unchanged. The gain

change of amplifiers is achieved by many levels. The gain of those levels can

vary with proper controlling voltage, while the controlling voltage is the function

of the IF signal amplitude at the output end of the amplifier. In fact, part of input

signals is led out, detected by the diode, filtered by AGC filter (this filter can

prevent signals outside the usable spectrum from affecting the total frequency

response of the amplifier), after being amplified, it is used as controlling voltage

of the variable gain section. This method is to extract some signals from the

feedback path and the middle layer to control the variable gain and then to

make the IF output level unchanged.

(4) IF channel filter

II. 2.3.2.2 Major Performance Indexes of the Receiver

(1) Working frequency

Receiver and the transmitter cooperate in work. For a regenerator section, the

transmitting frequency of the former microwave station is the receiving

frequency of the same channel of the local receiver, and use of the frequency

band is the same as that of the transmitter.

(2) Frequency stability of the receiving oscillator

Requirement for the frequency stability of the receiving oscillator is consistent

with that of the transmitter. Normally, it is 3–10 ppm.

(3) Noise coefficient

The noise coefficient of digital microwave receiver is normally 2.5–5 dB, and it is

5 dB less than that of the analogue receiver.

(4) Passband

To effectively suppress the interference, obtain the best signal transmission,

choose suitable passband and the amplitude feature of the passband. The

passband feature of receiver depends on IF filter and the passband of normal

digital microwave equipment can be 1–2 times of transmission code element

rate.

(5) Selectivity


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To ensure that the receiver only accepts signals of local channel, the receiver

should be able to suppress the interference of other signals outside the

passband, especially to suppress the interference of the adjacent channels,

mirroring interference, and interference between receiving and transmitting of

the receiver.

(6) Automatic gain control range

On the basis of the received level under free space transmission, when the

received level is higher than the reference level, it is called upward fading, and

when it is lower than the reference level, it is called downward fading. Supposed

the upward fading of the digital microwave system is +5 dB and the downward

fading is -40 dB, that is, the fading has a dynamic range of 45 dB. The

requirement for automatic gain control is when the received level undergoes

variation within this range; the rating output level of the receiver does not

change.

2.4 Indoor Unit

IDU performs the functions of service access, service scheduling, multiplexing

and modulation and demodulation. It is the major part of a microwave system. If

an IF board is equal to the line board of optical network equipment, IDU is

similar to the box-shape equipment of optical network. It has service boards

(SDE, SD1, SLE, SL1, PH1 and PO1), cross-connect board (PXC) and SCC.

The structure of IDU internal function modules is shown in figure 2.12.

Figure2.12 IDU internal structure


Internal Use Only


2.5 Installation and Adjustment of Split Microwave System

Split microwave system can be divided into two parts: outdoor installation and

indoor installation. Indoor installation is similar to that of box-shape equipment.

This section describes outdoor installation which mainly consists of antenna and

ODU installation. There are two methods of outdoor installation: integrated

mounting and separate mounting. Integrated mounting does not need feeder,

and it directly connects ODU to the antenna. Separate mounting uses feeder to

connect ODU to the antenna. See figure 2.13.

Figure 2.13 Outdoor installation

When the antenna is mounted, the key process is to adjust the directional angle

of the antenna.

Figure 2.14 Antenna side view and top view


Internal Use Only


In the process of adjusting the antenna, you may find voltage wave in figure

2.15, under this condition, the point of the maximum voltage is the main lobe

position of the pitching or horizontal direction. Then you need not adjust this

direction within great extent, and you only need slightly adjust the antenna to

the point where the voltage is highest. The method of adjusting the pitching

direction of the antenna is same as that of adjusting horizontal direction. When

the antenna is not accurately adjusted, you can only test lower voltage in a

direction. Then, you need briefly adjust antennas of the two ends and make

them leveled.

In the process of adjusting the antenna, if you find the received signal indicates

the point of maximum voltage, that position is the main lobe position of pitching

or horizontal direction. . Then you need not adjust this direction within great

extent, and you only need slightly adjust the antenna to the point where the

voltage is highest. The method of adjusting the pitching direction of the antenna

is same as that of adjusting horizontal direction. When the antenna is not

accurately adjusted, you can only test lower voltage in a direction. Then, you

need briefly adjust antennas of the two ends and make them roughly leveled

and then adjust them carefully. Typical errors occur in the process of antenna

adjusting is shown in figure 2.16, that is, the antenna is adjusted to the side lobe,

which makes the received signal level falling short of the design indexes.

Tips:

When antenna at two ends are leveled, they may become sligtly upward and 1–2 dB is wasted to prevent refraction interference.


Internal Use Only


Figure 2.15 Voltage wave in adjusting antenna Figure 2.16 Typical errors in adjusting antenna

Have a think:


(1) The classification of microwave equipment

(2) Antenna and feeder system and branching system of split microwave system

(3) ODU constituents, functions and performance indexes of split microwave system

(4) IDU constituents of split microwave system

(5) Installation and adjustment of split microwave system

2.6 Conclusion

This chapter mainly describes digital microwave equipment, and attaches great importance to explaining functions of each components, antenna and feeder system, constituents and performance indexes of ODU and IDU, split microwave system and antenna adjustment.

Chapter 3 Microwave System Networking and Application

Objectives:

To know the typical networking modes of microwave system

To understand all types of stations of microwave system

To learn classification of relay station

To learn microwave application

3.1 Microwave System Typical Networking Modes and Station Types

3.1.1 Typical Networking Modes

Microwave network is similar to the optical network in terms of structure. The

basic structure is shown in figure 3.1.


Internal Use Only


Figure 3.1 Microwave typical networking mode

3.1.2 Microwave Station Types

Based on station types, the microwave station can be classified as:

Terminal station: stations located at two ends of the microwave link, the

communication is unidirectional and voice channels need to be added/dropped.

Relay station: stations in the middle of any two stations of a microwave link, the

communication is to directions and the voice channels can be added/dropped

(baseband transfer) or cannot be added/dropped (IF or RF transfer).

Pivotal station: the station located in the middle of the microwave link, the

communication is to more than three directions, and voice channels need to be

added/dropped.

Based on communication frequency, stations can be classified as:

Upper station: station where the receiving frequency is higher than transmitting

frequency.

Lower station: station where the receiving frequency is lower than transmitting

frequency.

Obviously, due to microwave frequency configuration, upper and lower stations

are arranged alternatively. See figure 3.2.


Internal Use Only


Figure3.2 microwave station types

3.2 Relay Station

Microwave frequency band has higher frequencies. The microwave beam is

transmitted along a straight line and it is incapable of diffraction when it

encounters obstacles. Therefore, there should be no obstacles in the

line-of-sight range between two communication points. Otherwise, a microwave

relay station should be added at the obstacle point or other suitable place to

communicate the two communication points.

Microwave relay station can be classified into two types: passive relay station

and active relay station.

3.2.1 Passive Relay Station

Passive relay station is like a beam diverter, it makes the microwave beam

surpass the obstacle and form path. There are two models of passive relay

station: one model of station is formed by two back-to-back parabolic antennas

connected by a section of waveguide, the other is one or two metal planes

which is smooth to some extent, has proper available area, and a suitable angle

and distance for two communication points.


Internal Use Only


Figure3.3 Passive relay station

I. 3.2.1.1 Dual Parabolic Antennas Passive Relay Station

Figure3.4 Dual parabolic antennas passive relay station

(1) The received power can be expressed by:

PR=PT-L0

L0= L1+ L2+ L3+ L4+ L5- G1-G2-G3-G4


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In the formula:

PT is transmitting power

L0 is line net loss, that is, the net loss between the transmitter and the receiver

From the formula, to increase the received power, the output power of the transmitter and gains of the four microwave antennas should be increased and feeder losses and the free space loss between two paths should be reduced.

(2) Methods to Increase PR

When the microwave equipment and the model are selected, the output power

of microwave transmitter and the sensitivity of the receiver are fixed. When

relative location of the transmitting antenna and the transmitter and that of the

receiving antenna and the receiver are fixed, the feeder loss L1 and L5 are

constant. Therefore, to improve the received power, you can only increase the

gains of the four parabolic antennas, reduce the free space loss and make the

two parabolic antennas closer to reduce the feeder loss L3.

(3) Parabolic antenna gain

Parabolic antenna gain can be expressed by:

G=20lgD+20lgF+17.8

In the formula:

D: diameter of the caliber of the parabolic antenna (m)

F: working frequency (GHZ)

G: antenna gain (dB)

Normally, passive relay station uses large diameter parabolic antenna. But if the

caliber diameter of the parabolic antenna is enlarged unrestrained, the passive

relay station may cost a lot and be difficult to install and erect. At the same time,

the half-power angle of the parabolic antenna beam may be small, the antenna

installation may become complicated and the adjustment of the antenna may be

not accurate (for the half-power angle of parabolic antenna beam is in reverse

proportion to the diameter of the parabolic antenna). Therefore, ground

microwave passive relay station is improper to use parabolic antenna with too

large diameter.

For passive relay station, fading margin is not large and there are four antennas,

the gain maybe quadrupled to affect the received power.

(4) Free space loss


Internal Use Only


Free space loss of the path can be expressed by:

L=92.4+20lgD+20lgF

In the formula:

L: free space loss (dB)

F: working frequency (GHZ)

G: antenna gain (dB)

For communication line that has passive relay station, the total free space loss

is the sum of the free space loss from the passive relay station to the two

communication points, that is, L=L2+L4. This means that the total free space loss

of the passive relay station is related to the relative position of the passive relay

station to the two communication points. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of

the passive relay station, the distance between the passive relay station and

any of the two communication points should be narrowed if possible. The closer

the passive relay station next to the communication point, the less the L2 or L4 is.

The worst condition is that the passive relay station is located in the right middle

of the two communication points, because the free space loss is the maximum

in this condition.

II. 3.2.1.2 Plane antenna passive relay station

A metal plane that is smooth to some extent, has proper available area, and a

suitable angle and distance to two communication points, is also a microwave

passive relay station. The station uses the reflection function of the metal plane

to change the propagation direction of the microwave beam and round the

obstacle to achieve communication. The PR is calculated by the same formula

that is previously described in parabolic antenna passive relay station.

III. 3.2.1.3 Comparison between two passive relay stations: parabolic

antenna and plane antenna

1) Plane antenna is more efficient, for the gain of the antenna is used two

times in receiving and transmitting. This is a remarkable advantage of this

station.

2) Parabolic antenna passive relay station is easy to install and adjust; it

works in a more stable way. While the plane antenna passive relay station, due


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to large reflection area, is of dozens of square meters, it is not easy to install

and adjust. When there is a strong wind, it may not work stably.

3) Parabolic antenna passive relay station is not limited by the separation

angle of the receiving and transmitting paths at the relay station, while the plane

antenna passive relay station is limited by this separation angle. When the angle

is more than 100°, two plane antennas are used, which makes field selection,

installation and adjustment more difficult.

4) Parabolic antenna passive relay station can use polarization selector to

convert the horizontal and vertical polarization waves transmitted from the

previous station at the relay station, to reduce the fading caused by propagation

condition change. Especially when the passive relay station is located on the

straight line of the path, polarization conversion can reduce multi-path fading of

the path.

5) Based on requirement of transmitting signals and suitable terrain condition,

three parabolic antennas passive relay station can be built. While the plane

antenna passive relay station cannot achieve this.

6) In view of the cost, dual parabolic antennas passive relay station cost less

than the plane antenna passive relay station, especially much less than dual

plane antennas passive relay station. Dual plane antennas passive relay station

has strict requirements for the site location, if it is adopted, the wind loading

should be considered, and then investment needs to be increased to ensure

stable work of the dual plane antennas passive relay station.

3.2.2 Active Relay Station

There are two types of microwave active relay station: RF direct station and

regenerative relay station.

I. 3.2.2.1 RF Direct Station

RF direct station is an active, bidirectional, non-frequency-shift RF relay system.

For it amplifies signals directly on the RF, it is called RF direct station. It can be

used as a relay station that needs not add/drop voice channels in the

microwave system. It can be used to solve the block problem caused by


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mountains and large building, and it can also be inserted in the newly built and

already established microwave to increase fading margin.

RF direct station is highly applicable due to following characteristics:

(1) It has large gains and good transmission performance.

(2) It has high reliability and can cooperate with the terminal equipment of any

manufacturers.

(3) It adopts many types of energy to supply power, such as DC, AC, solar

energy, wind and heat.

(4) It needs low cost and is flexible in choosing sites. Normally, RF direct

station is installed in the outdoor stormproof box and is attached to iron tower

next to the antenna to narrow the feeder line. For RF direct station, equipment

room, power line and railway are unnecessary. Its total cost is 50%-80% less

than that of the regenerative relay station. In addition, when selecting the site,

you only need to consider the optimal position for transmission without worrying

about factors such as transport, power supply and so on.

(5) It is easy to install and maintain, and expansion and frequency conversion

of the RF direct station is very simple.

II. 3.2.2.1 Regenerative Relay Station

Regenerative relay station is a high-frequency repeater with high performance.

Regenerative relay station is similar to back-to-back terminal station, including

an entire set of RF unit with regenerative microwave signals. It can extend the

signal transmission path and change transmission direction to round obstacles,

but it is incapable of adding/dropping voice channels. It can be used to break

the distance limit of microwave transmission system or divert the transmission

direction to round line-of-sight obstacles, and the signal quality is not degraded.

It receives signals, fully regenerates and amplifies the signals and then

transmits the signals.

3.3 Digital Microwave Application

Microwave system is mainly used in the following scenarios:


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Mobile base station return transmission: after field mobile base station receives

radio signals, the signals need to be returned to BSC to enter into the core

network for transmission, and this process is called “mobile base station return

transmission”.

Supplementary network of optical network: due to geographical condition and

other reasons, it is difficult to lay fiber cables between optical network and BSC,

and then microwave transmission is needed.

Critical link backup: between two major transmission sites, to reduce the impact

on the transmission to the minimum when the fiber cables are broken,

microwave transmission is used as a backup for the optical transmission.

Enterprise private network: due to limitations of some special industries, such as

oil transport pipe or the relay of the TV signals in the field, fiber cables cannot be

laid due to certain limitations, and then microwave transmission is adopted.

VIP customer access: due to cost limitation, between the HQ of large

enterprises and their subsidiaries, fiber cables cannot be laid in wide area, and

then microwave transmission is adopted.

Currently, microwave system is frequently used in mobile base station return

transmission. In the networking of wideband radio access, the topology

structure should be chosen based on actual requirements. Topology structure

on the basis of PMP is traditional and frequently used, and the network model

can be ring network which is similar to the optical ring network. Topology

structure based on TDM/IP is original and effective. The two structures both

have their advantages and have different application environments; they can

supplement each other. Microwave ring network topology structure is also called

consecutive point topology structure.

Have a think:


(1) Network structures of digital microwave systems

(2) Models of digital microwave stations

(3) Characterstics of relay stations

(4) Application of digital microwave systems

You should pay more attention to the characterstics of relay stations.


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3.4 Conclusion

This chapter mainly describes typical networking modes of microwave systems, models of microwave stations and characteristics of relay stations, and the application of the digital microwave systems.

Chapter 4 Microwave Propagation Theory

　Objectives:

To understand microwave propagation in free space

To know the influence of ground reflection and troposphere on the electric wave propagation

To learn the fadings caused by aerial and ground effect

To understand the impact caused by fadings and statistic features of fadings

Microwave communication is based on the carrier of microwave and realized by

line-of-sight communication in the atmosphere. The major theory foundation of

microwave communication is electromagnetic propagation, which includes:

Huygens-Fresnel theory, concepts of Fresnel zone, interference and

polarization of electric waves, co-oscillation and absorption of materials. We

should learn all those theories first to futher study microwave communication.

4.1 Electric Wave Propagation in Free Space

4.1.1 Free Space

Free space is also called ideal medium space, it equals to the ideal space in

vacuum status. This space is full of homogeneous and ideal medium, for this

medium, the conductance σ=0, dielectric constant ε=ε0=10-9/36π F/m and

magnetic capacity μ=μ0=4π×10-7 H/m. in this space, electric waves are not

affected by factors such as obstacles, reflection, diffraction, scattering and

absorption.

4.1.2 Propagation Loss of Electric Waves in Free Space

For magnetic wave that propagates in free space, reflection, diffraction, absorption and scattering do not occur. That is, the total energy is not lost. But when electric wave propagates in free space, it is attenuated for energy is diffused to the space, likes a single bulb lighting in the air, the light is homogeneously spreading around, and the place that is far away from the bulb


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obviously is of less energy. The diffusion loss of electric wave is called free space loss. Based on the energy-flux density and antenna theory, the propagation loss of electric wave in free space is expressed by:

LS=Pt / Pr =(4πdf/c) 2

Or LS (dB) =20log(4πdf/c)

In the formula:

LS: free space loss (dB)

d: distance from the emitting source of electric wave to the receiving point (m)

f: working frequency of electric wave (Hz)

c: speed of light 3 ×108 (m/s)

If the unit of d is km and that of f is GHz, the formula can be:

LS (dB) =92.4+20log d+20logf

4.2 Influence of Ground Reflection on the Electric Wave Propagation

Due to different terrain conditions, different relay sections have different

influence on electric wave. Major influences are reflection, diffraction and

ground scattering. For the ground scattering has little influence on the main

waves, it can be ignored. The influence of reflection is that the ground can

reflect some of the signals from the antenna to the receiving antenna (water

surface and smooth ground have strong influence of reflection), which interferes

the direct waves, and at the receiving point, vector of these signals is added to

the vector of the direct waves, as a result, the receiving level sometimes is more

than the receiving level of the free space and sometimes is less that the

receiving level of the free space.

4.2.1 Concept of Fresnel Zone

I. Huygens-Fresnel Principle

Huygens formulates electro-magnetic wave character theory, based on Huygens’ theory, Fresnel formulate the concept of Fresnel zone which further explains the reflection and diffraction of electric waves and is proved in practice. The basic idea of Huygens principle is: light and electric-magnetic wave are both a kind of oscillation, the medium around them are flexible, and therefore, the oscillation of a point can be transmitted to the adjacent particle and spread around, and then it becomes the wave that is transmitted in the medium.


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Therefore, it can be considered that the oscillation of a point source is transmitted to the adjacent particles and forms secondary wave source and then tertiary wave source and so on. If the wave transmitted by the point source is spherical wave, then the wave before the secondary wave formed by the point source is spherical wave and that before the tertiary wave is also spherical wave, and the other is by analogy. In microwave communication, when the size of transmitting antenna is less than the microwave relay distance, the transmitting antenna can be considered to be a point source.

II. 4.2.1.2 Fresnel Ellipsoid

Supposed, for a microwave relay section, the transmitting point is T and the receiving point is R and the distance between stations is d, if on a flat surface, the distance from a moving point P to two fixed points (T and R) is a constant, the track of this point is an ellipse. And in the space, the track of this point is a rotary ellipsoid. In electric wave propagation, when the constant is d+λ/2, the ellipsoid obtained is called first Fresnel ellipsoid, and when the constant is d+2λ/2, the ellipsoid obtained is called second Fresnel ellipsoid..., when the constant is d+Nλ/2, the ellipsoid obtained is called Number N Fresnel ellipsoid.

III. 4.2.1.3 Fresnel Zone

If the Fresnel ellipsoid intersect with the waves transmitted from T or R, on the intersect interface, a series of circles and rings can be obtained and the center is a circle which is called the first Fresnel zone, the annulus (external circle minus internal circle) next to the first Fresnel zone is called second Fresnel zone and others by analogy. These rings and circles can be approximately considered as plane area graphics that are vertical to the ground and the ray between T and R. In practice, the influence of Fresnel zone on the project can be ignored.

IV. 4.2.1.4 Fresnel Zone Diameter

The distance from any point on the Fresnel zone to the link between R and T is called Fresnel diameter and is represented by F. when the point is on the first Fresnel zone, the diameter is called the first Fresnel zone diameter.

Figure4.1 First Fresnel zone diameter

Based on definitions of Fresnel ellipsoid and Fresnel zone, the first, second… and number N Fresnel zone diameter can be approximately expressed by:

F2= (2λd1d2/d) 1/2 = (2)1/2 F1


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F1= (λd1d2/d) 1/2

...

Fn= (nλd1d2/d) 1/2 = (n)1/2 F1

In the formula:

The meanings of F1, λ, d1, d2, d are as previously explained, and unit of F1, λ is m and the unit of d1, d2, d is km.

V. 4.2.1.5 Relationship between Field strength of Receiving Point and Energy of Each Fresnel Zone

Based on analysis, phases of field strength produced by adjacent Fresnel zones in the receiving point R are opposite. That is, the field strength produced by the second Fresnel zone is opposite to that produced by the first Fresnel, and the field strength produced by the third Fresnel zone is opposite to that produced by the second Fresnel.

Take the first Fresnel zone as a reference, the field strength produced by the zone with odd number makes the field strength of the receiving point strengthened, and that produced in by the zone with even number makes the field strength weakened. Field strength of the receiving point is sum of the vectors of the field strength of each Fresnel zone at the receiving point. In practice, for the slant of each Fresnel zone to the receiving point is different, thus Fresnel zones interfere with each other. The result of the vectors overlapped together is: the field strength of the receiving point which is obtained from all the Fresnel zones in the free space is approximately equal to the field strength produced by the first Fresnel zone at this point in the space.

4.2.2 Influence of Ground Reflection on Receiving Level

To make explanation more simple and easy to understand, the convex of the earth is ignored, that is, distance between stations is considered to be short and the ground is with little fluctuation.

I. Clearance

Actual microwave propagation may be blocked by buildings, trees and mountains. If obstacles are high enough to enter the first Fresnel zone, additional loss is caused and the receiving level decreases, and then the transmission quality is affected. To avoid the phenomenon, the clearance is introduced.

The vertical distance from the obstacle to line section AB is called clearance of the obstacle in the path, and line section hc that is vertical to the ground is used to indicate the clearance, see figure 4.2. If the first Fresnel diameter of this point is F1, hc/F1 is the relative clearance of this point.


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Figure4.2 Definition of clearance—schematic

II. Loss caused by Knife-edge Obstacles on the Path

In actual microwave project, knife-edge obstacles always block the transmission path. The knife-edge obstacles cannot block all the Fresnel zones, at the receiving point, there is only partial Fresnel zone energy is diffracted and make the receiving point have somewhat level. The level must be lower than that in the free space. Loss caused by the knife-edge obstacles is called additional loss. When the peak of the obstacle just falls down on the link between the transmitting and receiving points, that is, H C=0, the additional loss is 6 dB. When the peak of the obstacle surpasses the link between the two points, the additional loss may rapidly increase. When the peak of the obstacle is below the link between the two points, additional loss may vary slightly around 0 dB, at this time, the transmission loss (or receiving level) on the path is close to that of the free space.


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Figure4.3 Loss caused by knife-edge obstacle

III. Reflection of Flat Terrain to Electric Waves

Flat terrain indicates that the earth curvature is not considered and the terrain between two points is considered to be flat. In actual microwave communication project lines, the receiving and transmitting antennas are leveled to make the receive end receive stronger direct waves. But based on the Huygens theory, some electric waves are always sent to the ground, therefore, at the receiving point, besides the direct waves, there are reflected waves reflected by the ground and meeting the reflection conditions (angle of arrival equals to angle of reflection). We can use the following geometrical relationship to deduce the expression of virtual value of the composite field strength.

If: transient value of field strength of direct wave is expressed by:

e1=21/2 E0cosωt

Transient value of field strength of reflected wave is expressed by:

e2=21/2 E0Φcos (ωt-ψ-2π (r2-r1) /2)

In the two formulas:


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e1, e2 are the transient values of field strength of direct wave and reflected wave respectively.

E0 is the effective wave of the field strength of waves propagates in free space.

Φ is the modulus of reflectance.

ψ is the phase angle of reflectance (when the angle of arrival formed by the

incoming wave and the ground are small, ψ is close to 180°)

r2-r1 is the progressive error of the field strength of reflected wave and the direct

wave.

Bu deduction, the effective value of composite field strength is:

E=(E02+E0

2Φ2+2 E02ΦCOS (ψ+2π (r2-r1) /λ) ) 1/2

=E0 (1+Φ2–2ΦCOS (ψ+2π (r2-r1) /λ) ) 1/2

The ratio of composite field strength E to the field strength of free space is called fading factor V when the ground influence is considered. The V is expressed by:

V=E/E0

= (1+Φ2–2ΦCOS (ψ+2π (r2-r1) /λ) ) 1/2

Expressed in dB:

V dB=20logV

When the ground influence is considered, the actual receiving level is:

PR (dBm) =PR0 (dBm) +V dB

Figure4.4 Influence of terrain on electric waves


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IV. Using Fresnel zone concept to analyze the influence of ground reflection

When section distance d is longer than antenna height (h1 and h2), the progressive error of direct wave and ground reflection wave can be approximately expressed by:

r=λ (Hc/F△ 1) 2/2

When θ in figure4.3 is very small (that is, ψ is close to 180°), following expression can be obtained

V= [1+Φ2+2ΦCOS (π (hc/F1) 2]1/2

This expression indicates the quantitative relationship between fading factor V and relative clearance hc/F1. In engineering, curve indicating the relationship between V and hc/F1 is made to simplify the calculation of the additional loss caused by ground reflection.

Φ is related to ground conditions, see figure4.5.

Figure4.5 Relation between VdB and hc/F1

In the figure, “reflection loss” indicates that compared with incoming wave, the level that reflected wave attenuates; it is equal to 20LOG and different from the fading factor in terms of concept.

In figure4.5:

If Φ=1, the ground influence is considered, when the receiving level equals to the level of free space for the first time, Hc/F1=0.577.


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If Φ<1, when the receiving level equals to the level of free space for the first time, Hc/F1=0.577

When Hc/F1=0.577, the clearance is called free space clearance which is

represented by H0.

It is expressed by:

H0=0.577F1= (λd1d2/d) 1/2

V. Classification of Microwave Lines

Normally, in the line-of-sight microwave communication, based on the clearance hc of relay lines, the relay lines can be classified into three categories:

If hc≥h0, it is called open line

If 0<hc <h0, it is called half open line

If hc≤0, it is called closed line

Corresponding to the previous three conditions, the calculation method of fading

factor V is:

Open line: for rough calculation, refer to figure4.5

For knife-edge obstacles, refer to figure4.5.

For half-open and closed line s caused by large highlands, mountains, the fading factor can be checked out in figure4.5 or calculated by diffraction expression. Under condition of such lines, electric wave reaches the receiving point in the way of diffraction. Based on relevant theory, approximate diffraction expression can be obtained. There are three conditions:

A, when hc=h0=0.577F1, V=1, or VdB=0;

B, when hc=0, for knife-edge obstacles: VdB=-6dB;

For large-size obstacles: VdB <-6dB, based on expression C.

C, when hc <h0, VdB= V0dB (1-hc/h0)

In the formulas:

VdB is the fading factor when diffraction is considered.

h0 is free space clearance. h0=0.577F1

hc is clearance of the main ray of relay circuit (m)

V0dB is the level value of fading factor when the free space clearance is hc=0. It is calculated by parameter μ that reflects the obstacle terrain.

μ=2.02[K(1-K)/L]2/3

In the formula:


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K=d1/d

L is the link that parallel to the RT, draw tangent and secant lines over the obstacles based on (λd) 1/2/2, the width of obstacles can be obtained.

For cross-section diagram of calculating terrain parameter μ, see figure 4.6.

Figure4.6 Curve of determining terrain parameter μ

The relation between V0dB and μ is shown in figure4.7.

Figure4.7 Curve indicating relation of V0dB and μ

4.3 Influence of Troposphere on Electric Wave

The most distinct influence of troposphere on the electric wave is the influence of atmospheric refraction on the electric wave propagation.


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4.3.1 Ray Bend in Atmosphere

The propagation speed of electric wave in the free space is:

υ=c=1/(μ0ε0)1/2 =3×108 (m/s)

In actual atmosphere, dielectric coefficient ε=ε0*ε’, μ=μ0, thus the velocity that

electric wave propagates in atmosphere is:

υ=1/(μ0ε0 ε’)1/2 = c/(ε’) 1/2

In the formula: ε’ is called relative dielectric coefficient.

Supposed the diffraction of atmosphere is n, it is the velocity that electric wave

propagates in the free space to the velocity that electric wave propagates in

atmosphere.

n=c/υ=(ε’)1/2

Indicated by reflection exponent N:

N= (n-1) × 106

In free space, N=0. On the surface of the ground, N=300. “n” is normally

between 1.0 and 1.00045.

In atmosphere, in different heights, influenced by different pressure, temperature, and moisture, the atmosphere may vary. This variation is expressed by dn/dh. See figure4.8.

Figure4.8 variation of electric wave track influenced by atmosphere

When dn/dh <0, n is in reverse ratio to h in variation, which makes electric transmitting ray bend down.


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4.3.2 Concept of Equivalent Earth Radius

To analyze influence on electric wave transmission, the concept of equivalent radius is introduced. After the concept is introduced, the electric wave is always considered to be a straight line and the actual radius of the earth is equivalent to ae. Equivalent rule is that the clearance between the ray and the earth is unchanged before and after the equivalence. See figure4.9.

Figure4.9 Conditions after and before the equivalence—schematic

K is defined as equivalent earth radius coefficient: K= ae/a

In the formula, a=6370 km

The relationship between K and the index of refraction is:

K=1/(1+a dn/dh)

K is a very important concept in microwave engineering, it must be considered.

4.3.3 Refraction can be classified into three categories based on the K value

(1) Non-refraction: dn/dh=0; and k=1 or a=a e

(2) Negative refraction: dn/dh >0; and k <1 or a>a e, the bending

direction of the electric wave ray is opposite to that of the earth

(3) Positive refraction: dn/dh < 0; and k > 1 or a <a e, the bending

direction of the electric wave ray is same as that of the earth

Based on a large amount of test result, the refracting index gradient is: dn/dh=-1/4a

And then,

k=1/(1+a(-1/4a))=4/3

In temperate region, when K=4/3, the refraction is standard refraction, and the atmosphere is called standard atmospheric pressure. ae=4a/3 is called standard equivalent earth radius.


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At equator, standard equivalent earth radius is ae= (4/3–3/2)a;

Figure4.10 Classification of refraction—schematic

In engineering calculation, China uses Kstandard=4/3, Knegative refraction=2/3. When inter-station interference is considered, K= ∞, that is, influence of earth bulge on the electric wave propagation is not considered.

4.3.4 The Meaning of K Value in Engineering Design

In engineering, to make clearance more economical and rational in use, you

should control the antenna height based on the following requirements.

(1) Φ≤0.5, that is, for circuits that have small earth reflectance, such as

mountains, cities, hilly grounds, to avoid over large diffraction,

control the antenna height based on the following standards.

When K=2/3, hc ≥ 0.3F1 (for general obstacles)

hc ≥ 0 (for knife-edge obstacles)

In this situation, diffraction fading produced is not more than 8 dB.

(2) Φ> 0.7, that is, for circuits that have large earth reflectance, such as

flat, water reticulation area, to avoid over large reflection fading,

control the antenna height based on the following standards.

When K=2/3, hc ≥ 0.3F1 (for general obstacles)

hc ≥ 0 (for knife-edge obstacles)

When K=4/3, hc ≈ F1


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When K=∞, hc ≤1.35 F1 (for when the clearance is 21/2 F1, deep fading may appear)

If those requirements cannot be met, change the antenna height or change the route.

4.4 Fading caused by Several Atmospheric and Earth Effects

Microwave propagation must adopt direct wave and the field strengths of the receiving point is overlap of the direct space wave and earth reflected wave. Propagation medium is the low-altitude aerosphere and earth and objects in the route. When the time (season, day and night) and weather (rain, fog and snow) vary, atmospheric temperature, refraction and pressure, earth reflecting point and reflectance also change. This causes the field strength of the receiving point to change. The phenomenon is called electric wave propagation fading. Obviously, fading is very random.

The degree of fading is indicated by fading factor and fading reason attributes

the earth and ground effect.

4.4.1 Fading Types

I. 4.4.1.1 Fast Fading and Slow Fading

Fading can be classified into slow fading and fast fading based on the duration. Long-duration fading is called slow fading and the duration is from several minutes to several hours. Short-duration fading is called slow fading and the duration is from several seconds to several minutes. Slow fading varies slowly, it is slowly formed and then slowly disappears, and it is always caused by atmospheric refraction changing slowly in a wide area. For in a wide area (such as a section of relay circuit), atmospheric refraction becomes bad and recovers in a relatively long time, and then slow fading is formed. Fast fading is closely related to multi-path propagation caused by thin layer in the atmospheric waveguide and turbulent current. In the range of microwave, if the paths of each ray in the previous multi-path propagation vary, the composite signals of the rays at the receiving point may vary and then fast fading is formed.

II. 4.4.1.2 Upward Fading and Upward Fading

Fading can be classified based on the field strength of the receiving point. When the received level is higher than the free space level, it is called upward fading, and when it is lower than the free space level, it is called downward fading

III. 4.4.1.3 Blinking Fading and Multi-path Fading

In engineering, fading is always classified into blinking fading and multi-path fading based on the physical causes of fading.

Blinking fading is mainly caused by local slight disturbance in atmosphere resulting in electric wave beam scattering. Each scattering wave has small amplitude and the phase varies along with the atmosphere. As a result, the composite amplitude at the receiving point is very small and does affect the


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main waves. Therefore, this fading seldom affects the stability of the line-of-sight radio-relay circuits.

Multi-path is mainly caused by multi-path propagation, and it is the major cause

of the deep fading of line-of-sight propagation channels.

For both analogue microwave and digital microwave, multi-path propagation objectively exists and affects microwave. But digital microwave is more sensitive to multi-path propagation than analogue microwave. Multi-path propagation is described in the following section.

Multi-path propagation is a kind of propagation phenomenon that when the electric wave leaves transmitting antenna, it arrives at the receiving antenna through more than two different paths. There are many reasons for multi-path propagation, for example, on the path where there is earth reflection, in addition to receiving the direct space wave from transmitting antenna, the receiving antenna also receives reflected waves from the ground. In addition, under certain weather conditions, there are various non-homogeneous objects in the atmosphere. For example, atmospheric waveguide or reflection, refracted waves received by receiving antenna, those are the causes of multi-path propagation.

In multi-path propagation, electric wave is transmitted to the receiving point along many paths. For non-homogeneous positions, interfaces and sizes are random; there is phase variance between each electric wave caused by progressive error, and the amplitude error caused by different reflection conditions is also random. Therefore, the composite interference field at the receiving point greatly changes, and this is multi-path fading. In the microwave frequency band, for the wavelength is very short, the phase variance λ

π2 caused by progressive error changes greatly, thus multi-path fading is very remarkable in this frequency band.

4.4.2 Influence of Troposphere on Electric Wave Propagation

From the ground, upwardly, atmosphere can be divided into six layers in order: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, and exosphere. Troposphere is low-altitude atmosphere ranging from the ground to 10 kilometers higher upward. Microwave communication works in this layer. Troposphere gathers 3/4 mass of the entire atmosphere. When the ground is exposed to the sun, the ground temperature increases, and heat emitted from the ground make the low-temperature atmosphere inflated, which causes the atmospheric density non-homogeneous, and then convection current is formed, thus this layer is called troposphere. The influence of troposphere on the electric wave has following types:

I. 4.4.2.1 Atmosphere Absorption Loss

Molecule of any material is constituted by charged particles. Those particles have constant electro-magnetic resonance frequency. When the microwave frequency of these materials is close to their resonance frequency, those materials absorb microwave resonantly. Oxygen molecule (O2) in the atmosphere has magnetic-coupling polar and vapor (H2O) has electric-coupling polar, they can absorb energy from electromagnetic waves and then absorption loss is caused.


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The maximum absorption peak of vapor is at )2.22(3.1 GHzfcm ==λ , and

that of oxygen is at )57(57.0 GHzfcm ==λ .

Following figure shows the absorption loss of electromagnetic waves caused by

atmosphere.

Figure4.11 Absorption of vapor and oxygen

The curve in the figure shows, when the microwave frequency is 12 GHz (wavelength is 2.5 cm), absorption loss of the atmosphere is about 0.02 dB/km. if the microwave station distance is 50 km, the attenuation of a relay section is 1.0 dB. Therefore, when microwave frequency is less than 12 GHz, compared with free space propagation loss, the absorption loss can be ignored.

II. 4.4.2.2 Scattering Loss Caused by Rain and Fog

Rain, fog and snow can absorb electric wave energy if the microwave wavelength is under 5 cm (frequency is 6 GHz), when the wavelength is longer than 5 cm, the absorption can be ignored. Generally, for frequency band is less than 10 GHz, fading caused by rain and fog is not serious; normally the fading between two stations is only several dB. For the frequency band is more than 10 GHz, distance between relay sections is limited by loss caused by rains, and it cannot be too long. See figure4.11.

Sometimes, moisture cluster, such as mist, is formed in the atmosphere, this non-homogeneous material can make the electric wave refracted, absorbed, scattered and reflected, mainly refracted.


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Figure4.12 scattering loss caused by rain and fog

III. 4.4.2.3 K Type Fading

It is an interference-type fading caused by multi-path transmission. This fading is caused by mutual interference of the direct wave and ground reflected wave (or diffracted wave under certain conditions) due to phase variance when the two kinds of waves arrive at the receiving point. The interference is related to progressive error. In troposphere, the progressive error varies with the K value; therefore, this fading is called K types fading. This fading is very serious when the transmission line crosses river, lake and smooth ground. Thus, in selecting routes, try to avoid river, lake and smooth ground if possible, if not, use high-low antenna technology to make the reflecting point more nearer to one end to reduce the impact of reflected waves, or use high-low antenna technology plus space diversity technology to reduce the impact of multi-path reflection.

IV. 4.4.2.4 Waveguide Fading

Due to influence of all kinds of weather conditions, such as the ground is heated by the sun in the morning and become cold in the night, and in the high-pressure area, non-homogeneous objects are formed. When electric waves pass those non-homogeneous objects, super reflection phenomenon occurs and atmospheric waveguide is formed. Under such circumstances, you can deal with the waveguide fading only based on engineering experience.

4.4.3 Fading Rules (microwave frequency bands lower than 10 GHz)

Based on a large amount of test result, find fading of microwave frequency

bands lower than 10 GHz follows the following rules:

(1) The shorter the wavelength is, the longer the distance is, and the more serious the fading is.


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(2) Fading of propagation paths crossing rives and plains is more serious than that of the paths crossing mountain areas.

(3) Fading occurs more frequently and is deeper in summer and autumn than autumn and spring.

(4) The field strength of received signals is more stable in sunny days and daytime than nights. When day and night shift, for example, from 05:00:00 to 09:00:00 in the morning, from 19:00:00 to 21:00:00 in the night, and from 00:00:00 to 03:00:00, deep fading frequently occurs.

(6) Signals received in rainy, foggy and windy days are more stable than in sunny days. When the sun shines again after rain and fog scatters, fast fading always occur.

4.5 Frequency Selective Fading

4.5.1 Multi-path Propagation of Electric Waves

I. 4.5.1.1Basic Concepts

From the previous chapters, it is learned that for a relay section, in addition to receiving direct waves, the receiving point can also receive reflected waves from some point of the path. Atmospheric effect makes the atmosphere produce some random reflected waves and scattered waves that are independent of any fixed reflecting surface. That is, the receiving point can receive electric waves from many paths, this is multi-path propagation phenomenon.

Multi-path electric waves have random amplitude and phase at the receiving point, and the level of the receiving point is the vector sum of mutual interference of the waves, therefore, the receiving level produces multi-path interfering fading along with this multi-path propagation phenomenon. This phenomenon typically occurs in hot and humid summer, for example, in the basin of the Yellow river, it frequently occurs in July, August and September. This phenomenon is more apt to occur in plains and water reticulation areas than mountain areas.

II. 4.5.1.2 Further Analysis on Multi-Path Propagation

Multi-path fading can be classified into level fading and frequency selective fading.

Influence of level fading on digital microwave system is equivalent to receiving level decrease. Therefore, adequate level fading margin can effectively improve the level fading in multi-path fading channels. For level fading, its analysis model can be indicated by the sum of a constant field strength vector and the innumerable mutually independent random vector, and the modulus of this vector sum is subject to Rayleigh distribution.

Influence of frequency selective fading on digital microwave system is equivalent to signal-to-noise ratio decrease. Therefore, it is limited to enlarge fading margin to improve system bit error performance. The analysis methods normally use two-path model or simplified three-path model.


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Multi-path propagation can be concluded to two types: one type of multi-path is formed by direct waves and reflected waves, and the other type of multi-path is formed by co-existing paths caused by low-atmosphere effect. Normally, the first type is major and frequently occurs. And the second type is not typical and does frequently occur. But when ground reflected wave is very weak even feeble, influence of the second type becomes the major factor.

For multi-path interfering fading is produced by mutual interference of electric waves of different paths, therefore, theoretically, fading model for research should be based on several composite wave beams. However, fading caused by mutual interference of more than three beams has lower probability of making circuit quality bad; therefore, model for research of interfering fading is normally based on two beams.

4.5.2 Influence of Frequency Selective Fading on Transmission Quality of Microwave Communication Systems

I. 4.5.2.1 Causing In-Band Distortion

In-band distortion indicates that amplitude frequency feature and time delay frequency feature of microwave signals (modulated waves) in the band are linear, the A (f), T (f) features of each frequency spectrum of the signal vary along with frequency, and this variation is called in-band distortion.

In-band distortion caused by frequency selective fading is related to transmission bandwidth of signals, while bandwidth of signals is determined by transmission capacity and modulation mode.

II. 4.5.2.2 Making Cross Polarization Discrimination Decrease

For microwave signal under a polarization status (such as horizontal polarization), after being transmitted by the channel, due to the influence of the atmosphere on the electric wave transmission, the polarization side may be damaged and part of the energy may become orthogonal status (such as vertical polarization) to the signals. Then, when co-frequency reutilization scheme is adopted, interference between two channels of the same frequencies and with polarization orthogonal may be caused, this is called cross polarization interference (XPI).

XPI can be produced by the feature of antenna and feeder system at the receiving and transmitting ends. But XPI exists in the form of background interference (noise) and keeps unchanged. In the frequency band lower than 10 GHz, XPI is mainly caused by multi-path propagation.

Cross polarization discrimination (XPD) is normally represented by level value,

that is,

XPD=10lg(P/PX) (dB)

In the formula:

P is power of the signal received by some channel of receiving end and having the same polarization with transmitting end.


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PX is the XPI signal received by the channel.

If the XPD value is large, it indicates that energy is reduced when a polarization status is changed to orthogonal polarization status via transmission.

For frequency bands 4 GHz and 6GHz, the XPD of antenna and feeder system should be larger than 40 dB, but multi-path propagation might make the XPD become bad remarkably.

III. 4.5.2.3 Making Original Fading Margin of the System Decrease

When the frequency selective fading is not considered or the narrowband signals are transmitted in the system (frequency selective fading is ignored), anti-fading capacity of the system is represented by flat fading margin.

Flat fading margin is: compared with free space propagation condition, when thermal noise is increased (only thermal noise is considered), to make system work under the condition that the threshold bit error rate is not exceeded, thus adequate level margin must be reserved. For example, under the condition of free space propagation, for a digital microwave communication system, the receiving level is -35 dB, when the bit error rate is the threshold value Pe=10-3, the receiving level is -80 dB and its flat fading margin is 45 dB.

When frequency selective fading is considered, that is, for high and medium capacity digital microwave communication system, concept of flat fading is not suitable. Because transport bandwidth of the digital microwave communication system is relatively wide and the wider the bandwidth is, the more serious the influence of frequency selective fading is, and then actual fading margin of the system is less than flat fading margin. This is because when in-band distortion is serious, sometimes the fading is not deep and the influence of thermal noise is not remarkable, but the bit error rate may quickly increase and when it exceeds threshold bit error rate, communication is interrupted.

Effective fading margin is always mentioned in digital microwave communication, it is level margin that must be reserved o make the system still work when the threshold bit error rate is not exceeded and frequency selective fading is considered in comparison to free space propagation.

For high and medium capacity digital microwave communication system, when flat fading margin is added, effective fading margin cannot be added (it is slowly added) in proportion to the flat fading margin. That is, only by means of increasing flat fading margin such as increasing transmitting power, performance of digital microwave communication system cannot obtain necessary improvement. You can adopt frequency diversity, space diversity and automatic equilibrium technologies to improve the capability of the system in terms of frequency selective fading.

4.6 Statistic Feature of Fading

4.6.1 Microwave Fading Model—Rayleigh Distribution Function

To understand the reliability of communications, you should understand possibility distribution of fading depth and fading duration. Fading depth


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provides interruption level in propagation and fading duration provides interruption time.

Phase interference caused by multi-path transmission effect is the major cause of microwave transmission line-of-sight deep fading. Fading model is described by the sum of innumerable random vectors with independent phase. To analyze fading features in different conditions, probability theory is adopted, and many types of distribution functions that can indicate those features are cited. The typical function is Rayleigh distribution function. The modulus of the vector sum that can prove fading is subject to this general distribution. When the fading is serious, coherent multi-path vector occupies large proportion, and constant field strength is subordinated. In the Rayleigh distribution, the fading is fast and deep.

Simply, Rayleigh distribution is the probability of a value that the receiving level might be when there is fading. When the fading feature is subject to Rayleigh distribution, the probability of the receiving level lower than a certain level is:

P(E)=1-e-(E2/Ee2)

In the formula:

E2—the square of previously defined effective value of the field strength, it corresponds to receiving power and sometimes it indicates the receiving power related to threshold condition.

Ee2—the effective guide average value of the field strength. It corresponds to

average receiving power.

4.6.2 Engineering Calculation of Rayleigh Fading Probability

Use Rayleigh fading distribution rules in the microwave communication, consider the condition of electric wave propagation, the probability of fading is:

Pr=KQfBdcW/ W0

In the formula:

Pr: Rayleigh fading probability, that is, not more than the probability of the receiving power when there is fading.

K: factor of environment condition

Q: factor of geographical condition

F: working frequency of microwave (GHz)

B, C: constant factor concerning weather and seasonal geography

D: distance between stations (km)

W: the received power when there is no fading

W0: the received power when there is fading


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Based on decades of practices performed by national research institutes, in

China, the values of constant factors are as follows:

No. KQ B C 1 Mountain areas 1.072×10-2 1 1.3 2 Hilly areas 2.75 ×10-3 1 1.8 3 plains 2.884 ×10-3 1 2.2 4 Lake, sea, swamp lands 2.63 ×10-4 1 3.2

In actual engineering, when the fading depth is already known “Fd(dB)”, the probability of this depth to occur is:

Pr=KQfBdc10(-fd/10)

In the formula: meanings of the symbols are previously explained, 10(-fd/10) is the multiple of fading depth. In engineering, when Pr value of each relay circuit meets the bit error rate index of the microwave channels, it is OK.

Have a think:


(1) Electric wave propagation in free sapce

(2) Influence of groud reflection on the electric wave propagation

(3) Influence of troposphere on the electric wave

(4) Fading caused by several atmospheric and ground effects

(5) Frequency selective fading and its influence on microwave communication

Pay special attention to (4) and (5).

4.7 Conclusion

This chapter mainly describes the propagation principles of microwave, including propagation theory of free space, Huygens-Fresnel theory, Fresnel theory of electric wave propagation; interference and polarization of electric wave, electric wave reflection caused by non-homogeneous atmosphere, influence of troposphere on the electric wave, super refraction caused by irregular change of atmospheric medium gradient, reflection on different characteristic grounds, diffraction on smooth spherical surface, propagation in the presence of knife-edge obstacles and multi-obstacles, absorption of the electric wave by rains and fogs in atmospheric propagation, and loss theory.

For more information about microwave transmission, refer to following

documents:

Microwave Communication Engineering Design Posts & Telecom Press edited by Post & Telecommunication Design Institute 1989-08

Digital Microwave Communication Engineering Posts & Telecom Press

1991-11


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Digital Microwave Communication Posts & Telecom Press edited by Wang Yunfei Gao Fengquan, Yin Minguang 1992-01

Microwave Propagation Fading and Anti-Fading Technology edited by Gao Yulong 1984-05

Microwave Propagation Posts & Telecom Press 1988-11

Chapter 5 Anti-Fading Technology in Digital Microwave Equipment

　 Objectives To have a general understanding on anti-fading technology

To master principles and features of all kinds of anti-fading technologies

To master all kinds of protection schemes for digital microwave equipment

Fading phenomenon in microwave propagation has impact on relay

transmission. Based on the wave propagation statistical rules, all kinds of

anti-fading technical measures are proposed; that is, anti-fading technology.

5.1 Overview

Multi-Path fading may cause fading and distortion of the transmission channel, which varies with the geographical environment and time. Hence, any kind of anti-fading measure must be adaptive.

To deal with flat fading, the automatic gain control circuit (AGE) of the

intermediate frequency amplifier in the receiver and channel switching method

are for common use.

To deal with frequency selective fading, the diversity technology and adaptive equalization technology are adopted. The following three measures are used for frequency selective anti-fading. These anti-fading technologies suppress amplitude dispersion and delay dispersion in different ranges of space, frequency and time. If these technologies are combined, a better anti-fading effect can be achieved.

5.1.1 Purposes of Taking Anti-Fading Measures

(1) Compared to fiber transmission system, digital microwave relay system has

the following two problems:

Reduced received power due to multi-path fading


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Degraded circuit performance due to wave shape distortion

Hence, the designers of the microwave relay system should take proper anti-fading measures to meet indexes on general error performance parameters of the system, such as SES probability.

(2) ITU-T specifies the error performance indexes of the end-to-end digital

channels within 27500km. ITU-R also responds and proposes similar

suggestions. To meet these indexes, digital microwave relay system should take

anti-fading measures to improve the system performance. During the design for

systems and/or equipment, all kinds of anti-fading devices are important parts of

the system. The stricter the indexes are, the more advanced anti-fading

methods the system should be adopted.

(3) Another purpose of the anti-fading measures is to popularize and apply

microwave relay links in relay segments where the propagation conditions are

weak. For example, proper diversity receiver and effective equalizer can

overcome the difficulty in long-haul across-the-sea spans. In these cases,

microwave relay system is always the unique transmission medium to transmit

services as required.

Any kind of anti-fading measure requires additional investment. Hence, both the

price and performance need be considered to decide an anti-fading measure.

5.1.2 Classification of Anti-Fading Measures

The anti-fading measures can be classified based on two standards.

Based on physical features

Table 5.1 and Table 5.2 illustrate the anti-fading measures classified based on physical features. Category A relates to the equipment and category B relates to the system.

Table 5.3 illustrates the classification based on functional features.

Table 5.1 Category A - anti-fading measure related to equipment

Frequency domain equalization

Linear equalization Adaptive equalization Time domain equalization

Decision feedback equalization

XPIC Interference cancellation

IC of other route


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ATPC

forward error correction (FEC)

Table 5.2 Category B - anti-fading measure related to the system

* Multi-carrier transmission is only used in areas where environments are bad.

Based on functional features

Multi-Path fading may cause power reduction or wave shape distortion when signals are received. The spectrums within the frequency range is fully (flat fading) or partially reduced (selective fading). As a kind of dominant fading in microwave system, flat fading may cause relative reduction of C/N and C/I. Selective fading is a kind of dominant fading in broad-band digital microwave system.

The anti-fading measures described in Table 5.1 and Table 5.2 are used for compensation in case of one or two preceding conditions.

Table 5.3 Classification based on functional features

Classification Effect

Adaptive equalization Wave shape distortion Interference cancellation Wave shape distortion ATPC Power reduction

(A) Anti-fading measure related to equipment

forward error correction Power reduction Space diversity Power reduction and wave shape distortion Angle diversity Power reduction and wave shape distortion frequency diversity Power reduction and wave shape distortion

(B) Anti-fading measure related to the system

Multi-Carrier transmission Wave shape distortion

5.1.3 Evaluation on Anti-Fading Measures

The improvement factor of anti-fading measures is defined by I = P/P’. P refers to the system interruption probability in a given fading depth in when there is not anti-fading measure. P’ refers to the system interruption probability in a given fading depth when there are anti-fading measures.

The value of I relates to the degree of performance degradation. As shown in Figure 5.1, when there is space diversity, if the system has large fading margin, the improvement effect is also great.

Double space diversity space diversity

Triple/quadruple space diversity

angle diversity

Same frequency band frequency diversity

Cross-connect frequency band

multi-carrier transmission*


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Figure 5.1 Space diversity improvement factor

Each anti-fading measure has its own improvement factor. However, the improvement effect for two different anti-fading measures is not presented by multiplying two improvement factors. For example, if space diversity and adaptive equalizer are combined, the combined effect exists. The improvement factor is bigger than the product of two factors.

5.2 Adaptive Equalization

In a digital microwave system, to compensate signal distortion caused by multi-path fading and reduce the system interruption time, the adaptive equalizer is widely used. Based on different working frequencies and places, the equalizer is classified into two types.

Adaptive frequency domain equalizer (AFE): used in intermediate frequency (IF) to control transfer function of the channel

Adaptive time domain equalizer (ATE): used in time domain to directly reduce

intersymbol interference (ISI) caused by bad transfer function

Compared to AFE, the equalization capability of ATE is stronger. Some SDH microwave systems just use ATE, rather than AFE. However, most SDH microwave systems use both AFE and ATE, which may cause combined effect.

5.2.1 AFE

Frequency equalization uses the frequency characteristics of an adjustable network to compensate distortion of amplitude frequency characteristics and phase frequency characteristics of actual channels. Currently, the common equalizer is intermediate frequency adaptive equalizer, which is a kind of bandpass equalization.

Intermediate frequency adaptive equalizer (IF-EQL) consists of correction network (equalization circuit), equalization characteristic detector and controller.


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IF-EQL is classified into IF tunable equalizer and IF adaptive amplitude frequency slope equalizer.

Figure 5.2 illustrates the principle of tunable equalizer:

Figure 5.2 IF tunable adaptive equalizer

I. 5.2.1.1 Slope Frequency Domain Equalizer

When multi-path fading exists, slope frequency domain equalizer is used to compensate the slope asymmetry in frequency response to microwave channels. The equalizer introduces a tool to correct the amplitude slope and thus recovers symmetry of power spectrum density of received signals.

Principle of slope frequency domain equalizer: Use a set of narrow-band filters to monitor output power spectrums at three places. According to the tested slope direction, a detection signal at the opposite direction is generated to mix with the original signal. Thus the amplitude frequency characteristics can be recovered to be flat.

Note: During spectrum monitoring, information about group delay distortion

cannot be obtained. Hence, the improvement effect of the equalizer is limited.

II. 5.2.1.2 Gap Frequency Domain Equalizer

The transfer function should be close to the reciprocal of the channel

characteristic that complies with the propagation model of two rays. In this way,

the actual transfer function can obtain flat amplitude frequency characteristics.

Principle of gap frequency domain equalizer: As a part, the resonance filter is used to control its gradient coefficient and center frequency and thus trace the fading gap. This kind of circuit always shows concave-down group delay characteristic. Hence, when the channel encounters the minimum phase fading, the signal distortion will reduce. However, if the channel encounters non-minimum phase fading, group delay distortion will double. In this event, the system characteristic curve of the minimum phase fading can be reduced, but the characteristic curve of the non-minimum phase fading is not improved.


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In Figure 5.2, the control signals of most frequency domain equalizers are extracted from signal spectrum by using three bandpass filters. Hence, the many hardware devices are involved and the control accuracy is bad. Currently, the control signals of some frequency domain equalizers are extracted from baseband signals; that is, time domain controls equalization of frequency domain.

5.2.2 ATE

ATE is used in time domain to directly reduce intersymbol interference (ISI) caused by distortion of amplitude and group delay. The following formula describes the discrete input/output relation of general channel response, visually presenting basic principle of ATE:

In the preceding formula:

Xk(τ) = xk (kT+τ) is the received composite signal at the sampling moment: kT+τ

ak refers to the transmitted data symbol at kT.

nk refers to the sampling value of additive white Gauss noise (AWGN)

hi(τ),i=–∞……,+∞ is the sampling value of general channel pulse response at

the sampling phase τ.

The preceding equation describes two reasons for the quality reduction of transmitted symbols: additive noise and interference from previous and later symbols. Only when pulse response h(τ) meets the Nyquist rule, may non-intersymbol interference be implemented. Actually, though the transmitting and received filters are designed to form the Nyquist filter, time-varying multi-path propagation of attribute microwave channel destroys this characteristic, thus causing severe intersymbol interference. To avoid intersymbol interference, an adaptive equalizer should be added out of the receiver.

For the microwave equipment in QAM mode, different information is transmitted through orthogonal phase carriers. Hence, distortion caused on the propagation channel can interfere in mutual orthogonal carriers. Time domain equalization is performed between orthogonal carriers to eliminate such orthogonal interference.

Figure 5.3 illustrates the principle of an IF adaptive transverse equalizer:


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S(t)

90°

S'(t)T T TT T

XC-2 -1C

X XC10C

X2C

X

Xd2

Xd0 1d

XXd-1-2d

X

∑

∑

∑

S1(t)

S2(t)

Figure5.3 Principle diagram of an IF adaptive transverse equalizer

T refers to the delay line and every class of delay is a bit.

The ATE can equalize non-minimum phase fading when the reflected wave is stronger than direct wave: 1>ρ .

In actual use, both the AFE and ATE are used.

5.3 Cross-Polarization Interference Counteracter (XPIC)

In a common microwave radio transmission system, the frequency of two polarization waves are allocated in different interleave mode. The interference between two polarization waves is small. However, in SDH microwave transmission, to improve the spectrum utilization, the co-channel or channel-insertion cross-polarization frequency regeneration mode is adopted.

In a light-of-sight propagation route, in the event of multi-path fading, dispersion on the nonuniform layer and ground or rain and fog, the cross-polarization signals may severely cause interference to co-polarization signals. Hence, the interwave interference compensation technology of cross-polarization should be introduced.

Orthogonal polarization Interference Counteracter (OPIC) can be implemented in radio frequency, intermediate frequency and baseband frequency. The latter two frequency bands are more common. After the XPIC is adopted, the XPI can be improved by about 20 dB.

Figure 5.4 shows the principle of XPIC (NEC3000 series SDH microwave

equipment):


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Figure5.4 Principle of XPIC

5.4 Automatic Transmit Power Control (ATPC)

As a key technology in digital microwave area, ATPC helps the output power of a transmitter operates in a normal value (or minimum value) Pnom in most cases. When the level of the remote receiver reduces, the reverse communication service channel is used to control the transmitter configured in the feedback loop and thus the output power can gradually reach Pmax.

Characteristics of ATPC: The output power of a microwave transmitter can automatically trace the receiving levels at the receive end within the range controlled by ATPC and vary with the levels. In normal propagation conditions, the output power of a transmitter is fixed at a low level that may be about 10–15 dB lower than the normal level. When the level is lower than the lowest received level specified by ATPC and the receiver detects propagation fading in the event of propagation fading, ATPC uses the RFCOH byte to control the peer end transmitter and thus increase the transmitting power till a rated power value. Usually, the time rate occurring on severe propagation fading is short; that is, lower than 1%. After the ATPC is adopted, the transmitter operates at the power 10–15 dB lower than the rated power in most time (over 99%).


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Figure 5.5 Principle of ATPC

According to the change rate of the transmitting power of a transmitter, ATPC is classified into mutation ATPC system and progressive ATPC system. For the mutation ATPC system, when the received level of a receiver reduces to the startup threshold level of ATPC, the transmitting power of a transmitter operates at a high level at once. When the received level increases to a set upper level, the transmitting power operates at a low level at once. For the progressive ATPC system, when the received level ranges between two thresholds, the level of the transmitting power changes gradually.

To adapt the change of electric wave fading, the trace speed of the ATPC system should be 100 dB/s. In addition, any bit error should not occur due to the ATPC during the operation of ATPC. In common frequency heteropolarizing frequency reuse mode, two polarizations should start ATPC at the same time, thus avoiding one in a high level and the other in a low level. Otherwise, severe interference may occur.

Figure 5.5 Mutation and progressive ATPC systems

Advantages of using ATPC are as follows:

(1) In the event of strong fading, output backoff (OBO) can be reduced. In the middle-high BER area (10-9 ≤ BER ≤ 10-6), the gain of an available system is added and the impact on BER performance due to bad linear performance of a transmitter can be omitted.

(2) Joint adaptive DC feeding may be provided. As a result, power consumption of high-power amplifiers is obviously reduced and the power


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consumption of the radio frequency amplifiers is equal to 50% of the normal level, which facilitates to largely improve the mean time between failures (MTBF) of FET power device.

(3) The upward fading problem of the receiver is removed.

(4) The impact due to adjacent channel interference (ACI) is reduced and the performance improvement is interrupted.

(5) At the crowded railroad terminals, the reduction of nominal received level is

prone to frequency coordination.

These advantages are very important for the new generation SDH microwave system.

5.5 Diversity Reception

Diversity reception: a resultant signal is obtained by combining or selecting signals, from two or more independent sources, that have been modulated with identical information-bearing signals, but which may vary in their fading characteristics at any given instant. Diversity reception is used to minimize the effects of fading.

5.5.1 Classification of Diversity Reception

Diversity reception is classified into the following types:

(1) Space diversity (SD): a method of transmission or reception, or both, in which the effects of fading are minimized by the simultaneous use of two or more physically separated antennas, ideally separated by one or more wavelengths. As the antennas are separated physically, the correlation is small. The count of antennas decides the count of diversity.

Figure 5.6 Space diversity

Space diversity can effectively solve K type fading caused by interference from the ground reflected wave and direct wave and interference fading caused by the troposphere. The space diversity can save frequency resources, but the equipment involved is complex. Two or more sets of antennas and feeders are needed.


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(2) Frequency diversity (FD): Transmission and reception in which the same

information signal is transmitted and received simultaneously on two or more

independently fading carrier frequencies to reduce the effects of fading.

The frequency diversity uses the irrelevance of fading in different frequencies; that is, a feature with low probability of co-interruption on two frequencies. In SDH microwave systems, the main reason for circuit interruption is not the reduction of signal level, but the occurrence of frequency selective fading. Frequency diversity improves the digital microwave system much greater than the analog microwave system. As shown in the trial result on an actual microwave circuit ranging from 5925 to 6425 MHz, the correlation of flat fading depths of signals between two channels at a spacing of 60 MHz is high and the correlation coefficient is 0.97. However, the selective fading is seldom irrelevant and the coefficient is only 0.05. This is the reason for high improvement coefficient of frequency diversity in microwave systems.

In frequency diversity systems, the correlation of two diversity received signals (frequency correlation) should be small. Only in this event, deep fading on two frequencies can be avoided in a given path and good diversity effect can be implemented. The bigger the spacing of two frequencies is, the smaller the correlation of deep fading at the same time.

When the diversity in the same frequency uses 2% of the working frequency as a frequency spacing, the diversity improvement effect can be obtained.

Figure5.7 Frequency diversity

Frequency diversity has obvious effects and needs an antenna and a

feeder only. However, the utilization of its frequency bands is low.

(3) Polarization diversity: Diversity transmission and reception wherein the same information signal is transmitted and received simultaneously on orthogonally polarized waves with fade-independent propagation characteristics. Compared to other diversities, the effect of polarization diversity is smaller. The example is seldom seen.

(4) Angle diversity: Diversity reception in which beyond-the-horizon tropospheric scatter signals are received at slightly different angles, equivalent to paths through different scatter volumes in the troposphere. The second beam can be provided by an independent antenna or dual-feed antenna. The structure of angle diversity consists of two antennas installed side by side. They have different elevation angles or directions. Figure 5.8 is a typical structure. The main antenna is parallel with the main radial, and the beam of diversity antenna is elevation angle ө.


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Figure 5.8 Angle diversity

Space diversity with the angle diversity has much better improvement effects than space diversity without the angle diversity, especially when a big upright space between two antennas cannot be ensured in paths with strong ground reflection. Currently, a large number of test results related to the angle diversity system exist. These results show that the performance of angle diversity and space diversity is equivalent when the performance of a digital microwave system depends on the amplitude dispersion. However, when the performance depends on the thermal noise effect, space diversity is better.

5.5.2 Description of Space Diversity

Frequency diversity and space diversity are used more widely. However, current frequency resources are more insufficient and frequency diversity has a good effect only when the frequency spacing is big. Hence, space diversity is applied more often and thus is described as follows.

Space diversity needs several antennas in the same tower. When deciding the antenna spacing, analyze and check whether multi-path fading on the specified path is caused by aerosphere or ground reflection.

For the path with weak ground reflection on foothills, when space diversity

focuses on air multi-path fading, use the following formula:

]4.00021.0exp[ dfSc −=ρ

cρ refers to the correlation coefficient of two antenna signals and the value

ranges from 0.4 to 0.6.

S refers to the upright spacing between the center of the upper received antenna and lower received antenna; that is, “diversity antenna spacing” (m).

In engineering practice, the value of S can be calculated simply as follows:

S ≥ (100–200)λ

For plain areas and water circuit, the “half lobe distance” principle is adopted to calculate the spacing as follows:

2'1 4hdS λ

= 0

22

2'2 2kR

dhh −=


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1'2 4hdS λ

= 0

21

1'1 2kR

dhh −=

1S refers to the diversity antenna spacing of the received station and 2S refers to the diversity antenna spacing of the transmitting station (m).

1h refers to the height from the received antenna to the mountaintop and 2h refers to the height from the transmitting antenna to the mountaintop (m).

When the preceding formulas are adopted, pay attention to the following two

issues:

a. When the clearance of a long path is small, the frequency is low and the height difference of antennas on both ends is big, the values calculated by using the preceding formulas will be big. Select a proper value according to the formula: S ≥ (100–200)λ.

b. When the clearance of a short path is big and the frequency is high, the values calculated by using the preceding formulas will be small. Select a value according to the formula: S ≥ (100–200)λ and the value can be taken as the integer multiple of “half lope distance”.

In common engineering application, the spacing of space diversity for a digital microwave system can range from 8 to 12m and 10m is available. Space diversity largely reduces the received power and improves signal distortion. Space diversity reduces impact on flat fading and in-band amplitude dispersion and thus improves the transmission quality of digital microwave circuits.

Space diversity is further divided into the following:

(1) Standard space diversity:

Standard space diversity is a common receiving mode of the SDH microwave system. A transceiver unit needs one transmitter and two receivers (one is diversity receiver). Each station needs two antennas, including one main antenna (receiving and transmitting the main signal) and one diversity antenna (receiving diversity signal).

Note: When the SDH microwave system configured with 1+0 protection scheme,

space diversity can be used.

(2) Hybrid diversity:

Hybrid space diversity is a common receiving mode of the PDH microwave system (one transceiver unit has one transmitter and one receiver). One station uses one antenna (one antenna can receive and transmit two main signals) and the other station uses two antennas (each can receive and transmit one main signal).

Note: When PDH microwave system is configured with 1+0 protection scheme, hybrid space diversity cannot be used. To use hybrid space diversity, 1+1 protection scheme need be configured.

(3) Non-standard space diversity:


Internal Use Only


Non-standard space diversity is also a common receiving mode of the PDH microwave system (one transceiver unit has one transmitter and one receiver). Each station uses two antennas (one antenna can receive and transmit one main signal).

Note: When PDH microwave system is configured with 1+0 protection scheme, non-standard space diversity cannot be used. To use non-standard space diversity, 1+1 protection scheme need be configured.

Figure 5.9 is the sketch map of common space diversity in engineering design:

Figure5.9 Classification of space diversity

5.5.3 Compound Mode of Diversity Signals

There are two modes to process receiving signals from different diversity paths: switching diversity and compound diversity.

Switching diversity is to choose one of the two signal paths based on maximum signal-to-noise ratio or minimum bit error rate. Integrated diversity is to compound two signals based on certain rules. Based on different rules, there are following compound modes: maximum power compound (co-phase compound), maximum signal-to-noise ratio co-phase compound and minimum chromatic dispersion compound. The advantages and disadvantages of each diversity signal compound modes are described as follows:

(1) Switching Diversity

For switching diversity, in switching, there are problems of amplitude and phase jump and waveform distortion. This diversity mode is very simple and it is mainly used in PDH microwave communication and normally realized in baseband.

(2) Maximum Power Compound


Internal Use Only


It is also called co-phase compound, this compound ignores frequency selective fading and only considers the flat fading caused by multi-path effect. It is ineffective to enhance receiving level. This compound mode does not consider separate signal-to-noise ratio of the two receiving signals. If the signal-to-noise ratios of the two paths are different, the signal-to-noise ratio of the compound signal may decrease.

Maximum power compound is easily realized in IF.

(3) Maximum Signal-to-Noise Ratio Co-Phase Compound

To ensure optimal signal-to-noise ratio of the diversity receiving compound signal, you can adopt maximum signal-to-noise ratio co-phase compound. The advantage is that when a receiving signal tends to be 0, the signal-to-noise ratio of the compound signal is not less than the signal-to-noise ratio value when single antenna is used to receive signals.

(4) Minimum Chromatic Dispersion Compound

In the condition of wideband modulation, frequency selective fading cannot be ignored for its influence is even more serious than flat fading. At this time, the main objective of space diversity is to overcome frequency selective fading and thus minimum chromatic dispersion is adopted.

The disadvantage of minimum chromatic dispersion compound is that the compound output power is less than that of co-phase compound, which may cause thermal noise to increase and deteriorate bit error rate.

5.6 Microwave Equipment Protection Mode

Currently, there are two protection mode widely used in microwave equipment: hitless switch module (HSM) and hot standby (HSB). Normally, the two are combined in use to protect microwave equipment.

5.6.1 HSM

As it is described previously, FD and SD are channel backup. When the signal of some channel is unavailable, it can be replaced by the signal of another channel, and at the receiving end, active/standby channels switch independently. After demodulating RF signals, local IF board not only sends signals to its own multiplexing module but also sends one signal to the backup IF board.

Multiplexing module selects and receives the signal of the best quality of all the signals, and then hitless switch of the baseband signal can be performed. Transmitting process of FD and SD are the same, both are cross dual fed. The difference is, when it is SD, ODU of the backup channel does not transmit signals but only receives signals; when it is FD, only an antenna is needed, and the two ODUs transmits same services with different frequencies.


Internal Use Only


Figure5.10 HSM protection mode—schematic

5.6.2 HSB

HSB is similar to 1+1 hot standby of the cross-connect board and SCC in optical network equipment, it realizes the backup of IF board and ODU to be dual fed and selective receiving. The receiving end completes selective receiving at the cross-connect side, and HSB can be mixed with FD or SD to provide protection. Normally, cross-connect board only receives one signal and when this signal fails, the cross-connect board is switched to another signal. Therefore, HSB switching may damage the service.

Figure5.11 HSB protection mode—schematic

There are two ways to realize HSB:

Add a hybrider between two ODUs and the antenna, and then you can

achieve 1+1 HSB protection by using one antenna and use FD technology

at the same time.

Use two antennas to achieve 1+1 HSB protection. You can use FD and SD

technologies to improve system availability.

See figure 5.12.


Internal Use Only


Figure5.12 connection of single antenna and two antennas used in HSB

It should be emphasized that HSM switching is completed in IF board and can achieve hitless switching, while HSB is completed in cross-connect board and may damage services.

5.6.3 Classification of Digital Microwave Equipment Protection Modes

Classification of microwave equipment protection modes is shown in table 5.4. 1+0 non-protection is that both receive and transmit ends use one IDU and one ODU. For connection of other protection modes, see figures 5.13–5.16.

Table 5.4 Classification of Digital Microwave Equipment Protection

Configuration Protection mode Remark Application

1+0 NP Non-protection Terminal of the network

1+1 HSB Equipment proteciton Intra-frequency circuits where distance between the stations is short

1+1 HSB+FD Channel protection, equipment protection Inter-frequency

1+1 HSB+SD equipment and antenna proteciton Intra-frequency

1+1 FD+SD protection of channel, equipment and antenna Inter-frequency

Select proper mode based on geographical conditions and customer’s requirement

N+1 FD Channel protection, equipment protection Inter-frequency

High capacity backbone transmission


Internal Use Only


Figure5.13 HSB

Figure5.14 HSB+FD

Figure5.15 HSB+SD

In figure5.15, if frequency transmitted by each antenna is inter-frequencym, it isHSB+SD+FD.

In figure5.16, Mn is the active channel and P is protection channel. They both include independent demodulator and modulator, receiving and transmitting units. When failure or fading occurs to the active channels, signals may be switched to standby channels, channel backup is inter-frequency backup and this protection mode (FD) is mainly used in all indoor microwave equipment. This protection mode is always called N+1 (N≤3, 7, 11) protection and different manufacturers support different specifications.


Internal Use Only


Figure5.16 N+1

5.7 Interference and Main Methods against Interference

5.7.1 Interference Source

Interference on the communication system is from all kinds of sources which mainly are:

(1) Circuits thermal noise, which is caused by thermal disturbance of the electrons in conductor.

(2) Inner noise of electric devices, which is mainly caused by shot effect when charges inside devices move discontinuously.

(3) Thermal radiation noise of objects (including absorption noise) which is caused by thermal radiation of objects.

(4) Space interference, a noise radiation from universal objects

(5) Atmospheric noise, which is caused by electric discharge in the atmosphere and is in the shape of pulse.

(6) Industry interference, electric radiation from electrical equipment, such as electrical spark interference.

(7) Radio station interference, signal radiation from other radio stations.

(8) All kinds of interference produced inside receiver, such as alternating current hum, compounding noise, micro-phonic effect, non-linear result and oscillator phase jitter and so on.

5.7.2 Basic Methods of Communication System against Interference

Major factors that affect communication quality are defects (including failure) in equipment and interference. Quality of communication equipment can be improved under the development of scientific technology. But interference always exists and it is accelerated to some extent when the electric equipment is widely used. Influence of interference on communications is increasingly aggravated. Thus it becomes more crucial to prevent communication systems against interference.


Internal Use Only


Anti-interference in communication systems already becomes a specialized subject which attracts a great deal of scholars and engineers. Currently, research on communication technology is always research on the anti-interference technology (or closely related to anti-interference technology). Summarizing existing anti-interference methods, the basic methods are:

(1) Amplifying the power of transmitting signals; improving the level of input

signals of the receiving end

This method is very effective but limited by many aspects such as equipment size, weight and power-consumption quantity. In addition, amplifying transmitting power may aggravate interference on other radio stations or lines. Therefore, radio management administrations always set strict limitations on the maximum transmitting power of stations.

(2) Using directional antenna to conduct space selection

Directional antenna is good for improving the strength of available signals and it can suppress interference from other directions on some particular high-level interference at the same time. You can also use directional suppression method to weaken the strength of signals. But complex and huge antennas are always required in this method, thus the method is also limited to great extent.

(3) Using narrowband filterer to conduct frequency selection

This is the basic method to prevent communication systems against interference, almost all the communication equipment adopt this method. Narrowband filterer is complicated in crafts. When working frequency is higher, satisfactory attenuation feature cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, it should cooperate with other anti-interference measures to achieve required anti-interference performance.

(4) Using correlator to conduct waveform selection

If narrowband filtering considered to be processing signals in the frequency domain and then correlated receiving method is to process signals in the time domain. When the input signal of correlator and the interference level are both very low to ensure correlator is under linear working status, its anti-interference ability is always superior to narrowband filtering. Thus, this method attracts more and more attention. However, when input interference level exceeds the linear working area of correlator, anti-interference performance may obviously degrade. Therefore, it is always used together with narrowband filtering.

(5) Improving modulation and demodulation

Based on different features of interference, narrowband modulation (such as single sideband modulation), wideband modulation (such as frequency modulation), frequency-expanding communication technology and digital modulation technology are used to improve anti-interference ability. Technology of this aspect is rapidly developed now.

(6) Using error correction and detection technology to check errors

This is an effective anti-interference measure which is developed in digital communication technology, and it is greatly used in communication systems that have strict requirement for reliability.


Internal Use Only


Have a think:


(1) Objectives, classifications and evaluation of measures against digital microwave fading

(2) Principles and features of technologies related to protect equipment

(3) Diversity

(4) Protection modes of microwave equipment

(5) Interference and main methods against interference

Diversity is very import, you should pay more attention to this section.

5.8 Conclusion

This chapter first describes the fading of digital microwave transmission and objectives, classifications and evaluation of measures against fading, and then explains theories and features of anti-fading technologies related to microwave equipment, diversity technologies related to systems, and protection modes of microwave equipment, at last, it introduces the interference in microwave propagation and main anti-interference methods.

Chapter 6 Digital Microwave Engineering Calculation

　Objectives:

To understand microwave path parameter calculation

To understand microwave circuit indexes calculation

6.1 Overview

Microwave engineering calculation includes two major parts: path parameter calculation and circuit indexes calculation.

6.2 Microwave Path Parameter Calculation

Microwave path parameter calculation includes calculation of station distance, communication azimuth, elevation/minus angle, and clearance and reflection point.

6.2.1 Microwave Station Antenna Communication Azimuth Calculation

(1) Based on the longitude and latitude of A and B, calculate the true northern azimuth α A from A to B.


Internal Use Only


)()cos(sintancos

)sin(arctan

12121

12 radVVV φφφφ

α−−

−=

When αtan ＞0, 1V < 2V , α A= Aα

1V ＞ 2V , α A= απ +

When αtan < 0, 1V ＞ 2V , α A= απ −

1V < 2V , α A= απ −2

In the formula:

1φ : Latitude of A

2φ : Latitude of B

1V : Longitude of A

2V : Longitude of B

(2) Based on projection coordinates of A and B, calculate true northern azimuth

α A of A and B.

)(tan 1 radXY

ΔΔ

= −α

12 XXX −=Δ

12 YYY −=Δ

mA θαα += 21 XX ≤ , 21 YY ≤

mA θαπα ++= 21 XX ≥ , 21 YY ≥

mA θαπα +−= 21 XX ≥ , 21 YY ≤

mA θαπα +−= 2 21 XX ≤ , 21 YY ≥

)0( 22 ≠Δ+Δ YX

In the formula:

1X : Longitudinal coordinates of A 1Y : horizontal coordinates of A

2X : Longitudinal coordinates of B 2Y : horizontal coordinates of B


Internal Use Only


mθ : Separation angle between the true meridian marked below A and the coordinates.

Coordinate of A is at the left side of true meridian, mθ is a negative value

Coordinate of B is at the right side of true meridian, mθ is a positive value.

6.2.2 Calculation of Path Distance

(1) Calculation method when ground is flat ( d < 10 km):

( )[ ]22122

120 cos)( VVVRd φφ −+−= (Km)

In the formula: 0R : earth radius, 0R =6370 km;

Parameters of longitude and latitude are both radian.

(2) Calculation method of great-circle path:

( ) 01 cossinsincoscoscos RCd βαβα += −

In the formula:

12/ Va −= π ;

22/ V−= πβ ;

21 φφ −=C

(3) Calculation method of coordinate path distance:

22 YXd Δ+Δ= (Km)

The meaning of the parameters in the formula is same as that of 6.2.1 (2).

6.2.3 Calculation of Elevation and Minus Angles

Elevation and minus angles of antenna can be calculated by the following formula:

( )0

1122

2kRd

dhHhH

A −+−+

=θ (Radian)

( )0

2211

2kRd

dhHhH

B −+−+

=θ (Radian)

In the formula:

Aθ : Elevation and minus angle of antenna at A


Internal Use Only


Bθ : Elevation and minus angles of antenna at B

11 hH + : Height above sea level at A

22 hH + : Height above sea level at B

k : Equivalent earth radius

0R : Earth radius, 0R = 6370 km

6.2.4 Calculation of Clearance

Following is a typical microwave path cross-section figure. In practice, microwave circuits are similar to this cross section.

Figure 6.1 Clearance

Sea level

Considering atmospheric refraction, clearance ceh is expressed by:

( ) ( )ece hH

ddHhdHhh −−

+++= 3

122211 (m)

0

21

2kRddhe =

In the formula:


Internal Use Only


1h , 2h (m): height of the receiving/transmitting antenna relative to the peak

1H , 2H (m): height of the peak above sea level of the receiving and transmitting site

1d , 2d ( km): distance from the receiving point to the obstacle (reflection point)

3H (m): height of the obstacle above sea level

eh (m): height of the obstacle (reflection point) relative to the ground

k : Equivalent earth radius coefficient

0R : Earth radius, 0R =6370 km.

6.2.5 Calculation of Reflection Point

Basic equation of microwave relay section reflection point is as follows:

( )[ ] 02/2/3 10121022

131 =++−+− dhkRdhhkRdddd

Refer to the following equation group for calculation in practice.

)2403/cos('22/1 ++= φqdd

)''/(cos 1 qqr−=φ

4/)(5.812/' 212 hhkdq ++=

4/)(37.6 12 hhkdr −=

d1 is the distance of h1 from the reflection point (for smooth earth surface).

6.2.6 Determining Antenna Gain

Antenna gain is determined by actual antenna direction diagram. When there is no direction diagram, estimate antenna gain by the following equation:

SupposedD is antenna diameter,λ is wavelength, when λ/D >100:

⎪⎪

⎩

⎪⎪

⎨

⎧

≤≤−

≤≤−

≤≤+≤≤×−

=

−

00

01

1023

0

1804810

48lg2532

)/lg(1520)/(105.2

)(

φ

φφφ

φφφλφφλφ

φ

ΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛ

ΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛ

ΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛ

r

rDDG

G

When λ/D <100:


Internal Use Only


⎪⎪

⎩

⎪⎪

⎨

⎧

≤≤−

≤≤−−

≤≤+≤≤×−

=

−

00

01

1023

0

18048)/lg(101048/100lg25)/lg(1052

/100)/lg(1520)/(105.2

)(

φλ

φλφλ

λφφλφφλφ

φ

ΛΛΛΛΛΛ

ΛΛΛ

ΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛ

DDD

DDDG

G

In the formula:

( )[ ]20 55.0lg10 λπDG =

)(/lg(152/20 001 λλφ DGD −−=

( ) )(/85.15 06.0−= λφ Dr

φ : Field angle away from the main beam central axis, unit (degree)

6.3 Calculation of Microwave Circuit Index

Calculation of microwave circuit indexes includes calculation of free space receiving level, interruption ratio, frequency diversity improvement degree, space diversity improvement degree, rain los and interference.

6.3.1 Calculation of Receiving Level and Flat Fading Margin

Free space receiving level:

fBrrtrttro LLLLGGPP −−+−++= )()(

( )[ ] ( )[ ]GHzfkmdL f lg20lg2044.92 ++=

In the formula: tp (dBm) is the transmitting power, tG , rG are

receiving/transmitting antenna gain, tL , rL are loss of receiving/transmitting

feeder, BrL is branching system loss, fL is free space transmission loss.

Flat fading margin:

throd PPF −=

In the formula: Pth (dBm) is the threshold receiving level of the receiver.

6.3.2 Calculation of Interference Level

In the radio relay communication system that adopts two-frequency system, there are following types of interference of digital microwave communication:


Internal Use Only


(1) Intra-system interference: reverse receiving interference, reverse transmitting interference, cross-station interference, lateral receiving interference, and lateral transmitting interference and reverse transmitting lateral receiving interference.

(2) Inter-system interference: system interference in the adjacent lines, inter-system interference at the joint point.

(3) Interference from other systems: satellite communication system interference, radar interference, broadcast interference, dispersion system interference.

For digital microwave engineering design, the former two types of interference are considered, especially co-frequency interference. Specific methods are as follows:

(1) Calculation of useful signal level:

fBrrtrttro LLLLGGPP −−+−++= )()(

In engineering design, normally, path clearance of useful signals 0Hhce ≥ , fL can be calculated based on free space transmission loss.

(2) Calculation of interference signal level:

fiBrrtrtiri LLLLGGPP −−+−++= '''' )()(

In the formula:

ip (dBm): transmitting power of interference transmitter

'iG (dBi): gain of the antenna at the interference station in the direction of

station interfered with

'rG (dBi): gain of the antenna at the station interfered with in the direction of

interference source

'tL (dB): feeder system loss at the transmitting end of the interference station

rL (dB): feeder system loss at the receiving end of the station interfered with

'BrL (dB): tributary system total loss of the interference station and the station

interfered with

fiL (dB): transmission loss of interference path

Calculation of fiL is as follows:

(1) When interference path clearance is 0Hhce ≥ , fiL is calculated based on free space transmission loss.

(2) When interference path clearance is 0Hhce ≤ , fiL is calculated as:


Internal Use Only


( )[ ] ( )[ ] dfi LGHzfkmdL +++= lg20lg2044.92

dL : Additional diffraction loss. Obstacles frequently encountered in the microwave engineering design are knife-edge, and knife-edge diffraction loss is calculated as:

⎪⎪⎪⎪

⎩

⎪⎪⎪⎪

⎨

⎧

+

−−

−−

=

−≤

−≤≤

≤≤

3lg2011

1349

119.66

00

00

00

Hh

Hh

Hh

Hh

Hh

Hh

L

cece

cece

cece

d

ΛΛΛ

ΛΛΛΛ

ΛΛΛ

In the formulas:

ceh (m): path clearance

0H (m): free space clearance

Note: the above additional diffraction loss calculation formula is only for knife-edge obstacles. For the calculation of additional diffraction loss of single circular obstacle and multiple obstacles, refer to GB/T 13619-92 of Microwave Relay Communication Interference Calculation.

6.3.3 Calculation of Diversity Receiving Parameter

Calculation of Space Diversity Antenna Distance

In hilly areas where the ground reflection is not strong, space diversity can be calculated when space multi-path fading is mainly considered:

]4.00021.0exp[ dfSc −=ρ

In the formula:

cρ : Correlation coefficient of signals of the two antennas, generally, it ranges from 0.4 to 0.6.

S: vertical distance between the centers of the upper and lower receiving antenna, shortened as “diversity antenna distance” the unit is “m”.

In engineering, S can be easily calculated by selecting a suitable value based on the following formula:

S≥ (100–200) λ

For circuits of plains and water area, S is calculated based on “half-lobe distance” theory; the calculation formula is as follows:


Internal Use Only


2'1 4hdS λ

= 0

22

2'2 2kR

dhh −=

1'2 4hdS λ

= 0

21

1'1 2kR

dhh −=

In the formulas:

1S , 2S : diversity antenna distance of receiving and transmitting stations respectively.

1h , 2h : height of the receiving and transmitting antenna respectively relative to the top of the mountain

When using the previous formulas, be aware of the following two issues:

(1) When path clearance is very small, path length is very long, frequency is relatively low, and difference of heights of the antennas at the two ends is huge, use the previous formulas to calculate H and S, the result tends to be larger. At this time, select a proper value based on S≥ (100–200) λ

(2) When path clearance is very large, path length is very short, and frequency is relatively high, use the previous formulas to calculate H and S, the result tends to be smaller. At this time, value selected should be also based on S≥ (100–200) λ, but it is better to be integral multiple of half-lobe distance.

Improvement degree of Space Diversity

(1) When there is no strong reflection, improvement degree of vertical space diversity can be calculated as follows.

When d and S apply to wide range

( ) 1004.148.012.087.04 10)]1034.3exp(1[ VFsd

dPdfSI −−−− ×××−−=

21 GGV −=

In the formula:

I: improvement degree of space diversity

1G , 2G : gain of the diversity receiving and transmitting antennas respectively.

P: average fading probability of the worst months

dF : fading depth related to fading probability P

The range of other parameters in the formula is as follows:

3 m≤S≤23 m; 2 GHz≤f≤11GHz; 43 km≤d≤243 km

When each parameter applies to normal situations,

( ) ( ) 1032 10102.1 vFsd

ddfSI −− ××=


Internal Use Only


The range of other parameters in the formula is as follows:

5 m ≤S≤15 m; 2 GHz≤f≤11GHz; 24 km≤d≤70 km

If value of the parameters exceed the range, the previous formula is only effective when I≥10.

(2) Under the condition of Rayleigh fading, ground reflection can be neglected; vertical space diversity improvement degree can be calculated by:

( ) 1021 10)])4.0(0021.0exp(1[ VFsd

ddSfI −×−−=

The range of each parameter is as follows:

5m≤S≤25m; 2GHz≤f≤6GHz; 40km≤d≤75km.

Frequency Diversity Improvement Degree

For 1+1 microwave relay communication system, frequency diversity improvement degree can be calculated by:

101080dF

fd ff

fdI ×

Δ×=

In the formula: ff /Δ is the ratio of the difference of two frequencies to the center frequency.

The range of each parameter is as follows:

2GHz≤f≤11GHz; 30km≤d≤70km; ff /Δ ≤5％.

If the parameter is beyond the range, error is thus caused. This formula is only effective when I≥5.

For n+1 microwave relay communication system, frequency diversity improvement degree can be calculated by dividing a coefficient.

n+1 1+1 2+1 3+1 4+1 5+1 n+1 (reduced coefficient) 1 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.0

In practical engineering design, the ranges of the three parameters

Space diversity spacing: for digital microwave, it can be 8m to 12m, normally, it is 10m.

Space diversity improvement degree: normally, it is calculated by the second method. If the space value is more than 200, take the value of improvement degree as 200.

Frequency diversity improvement degree: if the value is more than 10, take the

improvement degree as 10.


Internal Use Only


6.3.4 Calculation of Circuit Interruption Rate

I. 6.3.4.1 Interruption Rate caused by Flat Fading

There are two ways to predict flat fading:

(1) Considering the influence of antenna height difference

Advantages: in a group of relay sections with the same type, for a relay section, it is better to have antenna difference; for two relay sections, if the frequency and station distance are the same, it is better to have large antenna height difference than small antenna height difference. The calculation formula is as follows:

101.33.1 10)10(

dF

fr dfh

KP−

Δ+=

In the formula: 12 hhh −=Δ (m), relative height difference of two antennas.

D: station distance (km);

F: working frequency (GHz);

Fd: flat fading margin;

K: factors of terrain and weather conditions;

In China, terrains are divided into four types:

Type A: k=6×10-7 , mountain area;

Type B: k=1.26×10-6 , hilly area;

Type C: k=6×10-6 , plain;

Type D: k=3.25×10-5 , sea and water area where fading is severe.

(2) Considering the variation of C

Advantage: for relay sections with different types, the value of C is different and it reflects different influence of different station distance of relay sections on the interruption rate. The calculation formula is as follows:

1010dF

CBfr dKQfP

−=

In the formula:

KQ is related to weather conditions and terrains. The value of the parameter in different conditions is as follows.

Table 6.1 Value of the Parameter in different conditions

Terrain types KQ B C Conditions

A 1.072×10-4 1 1.3 Highly dry mountain areas


Internal Use Only


Terrain types KQ B C Conditions

B 2.750×10-5 1 1.8 Continental temperate zone and middle-altitude hilly areas

C 2.884×10-5 1 2.2 Coastal temperate plain areas D 2.630×10-6 1 3.2 Cross-sea circuits

Normally, engineering design adopts the second method.

II. 6.3.4.2 Interruption Rate caused by Frequency Selective Fading

Interruption rate caused by frequency selective fading can be calculated based on linear amplitude dispersion (LAD), characteristic curve or dispersion fading margin.

(1) Characteristic curve

Characteristic curve is restricted because the characteristic size expressed by

GHz must be known. Thus, in normal engineering design, it is not used.

(2) LAD

Advantage: normally, the dispersion interruption rate of MQAM system in the M state can be estimated, which makes calculation easy and the transmission database or characteristic curve actually tested unnecessary.

Amplitude dispersion interruption rate

Interruption caused by selective fading can be predicted by the possibility of the LAD L inside the signal band exceeding the definite value L0. L is the receiving power ratio of two frequency points with spacing sff =Δ inside the band. L0 is the LAD value related to the threshold bit error rate and it is defined by equipment suppliers.

The empirical formula of interruption rate caused by selective fading is as

follows:

lofr PPP ××= Re2.0

CBdKQfP =Re

In the formula: loP is the possibility of L>L0

ReP is the possibility of Rayleigh fading

Possibility of LAD being exceeded

Non-space diversity


Internal Use Only


)10/(2)10/(

2)10/(

00

0

10)1(4)101()101(1 Lf

L

L

lo RP

×−×+−−

−=

Space diversity

( )⎪⎭

⎪⎬⎫

⎪⎩

⎪⎨⎧

−

×−×+−−−= −

2)10/(

)10/(122

0200 )101(

10)1(4tan

41)1(5.018

0

0

L

Lf

lo

RxxxP

π

In the formula: ( ) 2/sin1sin10 θθ −−+=x

)10/(2)10/(

)10/(

10)1(4)101(10)1(4

sin0 L

fL

Lf

RR

×−×+−

×−×=θ

Frequency correlation coefficient:

21 )2exp()2cos( R

cfL

cfR mf ×

Δ−××

Δ=

ππ

In the formula:

fΔ : Frequency spacing between 1f and 2f .

C: Speed of light

mL : Average value of the progressive error between direct wave and interference wave

1R : Standard deviation of the progressive error between direct wave and interference wave

For the progressive error between direct wave and interference wave is a random variable, empirical formulas of its average value mL and standard

deviation 1R are as follows.

( )( ) ⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−×⎟

⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛ ×=

dt

FGHzPGHzPkR

M

M 13.0exp2

447.34 63.0

11

( )( ) ( )4.0

max4.0

min1425.28 −− −×⎟⎟

⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛ ×= ll

FGHzPGHzP

kLM

Mm

In the formula: ( ) ( )cmll 4.11

4.1maxmin 124.0 −− +=

( ) ( )cmdtGHzPl M ⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ ×−××= 45.0exp41000 43.0

max


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In the formula:

( )GHzPM 4 : Possibility of Rayleigh fading of 4 GHz

( )FGHzPM : Possibility of Rayleigh fading of F GHz

k1: it is decided by the distribution coefficient of the progressive error in the terrestrial areas, normally, in mountain areas, k1 is 1–2, and on the sea or coastal areas, it is 5–7

t: sea level elevation difference of two stations (m)

d: station distance (km)

Note:

The maximum of dt / is 7.5

For the improvement coefficient of frequency diversity to chromatic fading,

refer to the improvement coefficient of frequency diversity to the flat fading

or the empirical data provided by equipment suppliers

Specific value of fΔ is provided by equipment suppliers

For NEC SDH microwave equipment, L0 and fΔ are as follows.

Modulation mode 64QAM 128QAM L0 20.0 dB 18.0 dB fΔ 30.1 MHz 24.08 MHz

(3) Dispersion fading margin

Normally, the suppliers provide one or more dispersion fading margin of equipment under one or more bit error rates. Because the dispersion fading margin is provided by suppliers under certain conditions, the possibility RD of selective fading occurring on the actual microwave path is as follows:

Microwave cross section Possibility (RD) of selective fading

Mountain area 0.5–1

Hilly area 3

Plain areas 5–7

Cross-sea circuits 9

To calculate circuit interruption rate based on dispersion fading margin,

combination fading margin is introduced. The formula is as follows.

( ) ( )

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛++−=

−−

=

−−

∑ 10//

1

1010 011010lg10thrisd ICICn

i

F

D

F

e RF


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Interruption rate of actual circuit (flat fading, selective fading and interference are considered):

1010eF

CBDt dKQfRP

−×=

In calculating the improvement degree of space diversity and frequency diversity, the combination fading margin is replaced by flat fading margin.

III. 6.3.4.3 Interruption Rate caused by Interference

For the radio-relay communication equipment that adopts two-frequency system, in design, front and back interference and cross-station interference are mainly considered in terms of the interference in the digital microwave channel. Interruption rate caused by interference is expressed by:

( ) ( )10

//

101

thri ICICn

i

CBi dKQfP

−−

=∑=

( ) 10/ rirri PPIC −=

In the formula:

1riP , 0rP : Interference signal level and available signal level

( )thIC / : Threshold carrier interference ratio

IV. 6.3.4.4 Total Interruption Rate

Interruption rate is likely to occur during the fading; no matter it is flat fading, frequency selective fading or fading caused by interference. Therefore, total interruption rate is related to all the three fadings.

),,( isfrt PPPfP ξ=

In the formula:

tP : Total interruption rate

frP : Interruption rate caused by flat fading

sP : Interruption rate caused by frequency selective fading

iP : Interruption rate caused by interference

ξ : coordinate effect coefficient, it is related to dispersion fading margin and flat fading margin. When only one fading is effective, and another fading is ineffective, that is, absolute value of the difference between dispersion fading margin and flat fading margin is very large (for example, more than 20 dB), then the coordinate effect coefficient is the minimum, 1=ξ . When two fadings are


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both equally effective, that is, the difference between two fading margin is 0, the coordinate effect coefficient is the maximum, ξ is about 2.8.

If the interruption rates caused by flat fading, frequency selective fading and interference are considered to be approximately independent from each other, the total interruption rate is:

isfrt PPPP ++=

6.3.5 Rain Fading

1. Overview

For frequency range higher than 10 GHz, rain is a quite important factor that affects electric wave propagation. Rain not only absorbs electric wave energy, but also diffracts electric wave. The absorption and diffraction together form fading of the electric wave. Rain diffraction can also result in radio interference in a large area. Therefore, reliable data is needed for both predicting electric wave fading when planning and designing terrestrial and space radio systems, and coordinating interference in the radio management. And of all the data, raininess is especially important.

2. Rain Climatic Province Division and Raininess Isoline

Rain climatic province division is based on the raininess cumulative distribution, mainly based on the raininess standard of 0.01% of the time.

Based on the third part of P.R. C. QB “Transmission Feature of Terrestrial

Mobile Service and Fixed Service”: rain climatic province division according to

line-of-sight microwave relay communication system transmission feature,

China is divided into 12 rain climatic provinces: A, B, D, E, F, G, H, J,

K, M, N and P. See the following table 6.2.

Table 6.2 China rain climatic province division

Area Standard Range

A 8 Sinkiang (Zhunge’er basin, Talimu basin). Tibet (Zangbei plateau). Inner Mongolia (Alashan plateau). Qinghai (Chaidamu basin). Gansu (northern areas)

B 12 Tibet (Altai, Tienshan mountain, western mountain areas of Zhunge’er basin, western side of Kunlun mountain)

D 19 Inner Mongolia (small part), Qinghai (large part), Tibet( southern areas), Gansu (middle areas), Sichuan(Chuanxi plateau)

E 22 Gansu (southern part), Ningxia, Inner Mongolia (northern part of Yinshan mountain chains, Xilinguole plateau)

F 28 Shanxi (northern part), Inner Mongolia (Daxinganling, Yinshan mountain chains), Heilongjiang (northern part), Tibet (southeastern areas)

G 30 Inner Mongolia (northern side of Xianshan mountain chains), Shaan Xi (Weihe plains), Jilin (northern mountain country), Heilongjiang (eastern mountain country)

H 32 Shaan Xi (middle areas), Shanxi (southwestern areas)


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J 35 Heilongjiang (partial areas), Jilin (partial areas), Shaan xi (Chinling mountain areas and middle areas of Shaan Xi), Tibet (southeastern areas)

K 42 Heilongjiang (Xiaoxinganling), Jilin (western areas), Liaoning (northern areas), Hebei (western areas and northern areas), Henan (mountain country), Hubei (western mountain country), Sichuan (northern areas), Yunnan ( large part of Yungui plateau), Beijing, Taiwan (western part)

M 63 Liaoning (southern part), Hebei (northern part), Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan (large part), Hubei (large part), Hunan (large part), Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong (northern areas), Guangxi (northern areas), Guizhou, Sichuan (Basin), Yunnan (part), Hainan island (western part), Taiwan (part), Tianjin, Shanghai

N 95 Taiwan (mountain country), Guangdong (southern areas), Guangxi (southern areas), Tibet ( southeastern areas), Yunnan (southern areas), Hainan island (northern areas), South China Sea islands

P 145 Guangxi (coastal areas)

3. Calculation of Rain Fading

Fading caused by rain is related to the possibility of raining. Fading caused by the rain in p% of the time is calculated by:

)lg043.0546.0(01.0 12.0 p

p PAA +−−×=

drVA R ××=01.0

)/1/(1 0ddr +=

01.015.00 35 Red ×−=

In the formula: Ap (dB): rain fading exceeding p% of the time in a year.

d (km): path length or horizontal projection length of the skewed path sunk in rain zone.

r: path length reduction factor

R0.01 (mm/h): raininess of 0.01% of the time in a year exceeding one minute

VR (dB/km): rain fading rate exceeded of 0.01% of the time in a year. Following is the rain fading rate of different rain zones under different frequencies and polarization:

Table 6.3 Rain fading rate exceeded of 0.01% of the time (dB/km) 11G 13G 14G 15G 18G 23G Rain zone 0.01% (mm/H) V H V H V H V H V H V H

A 8 0.16 0.18 0.24 0.28 0.29 0.34 0.35 0.40 0.50 0.58 0.81 0.95 B 12 0.26 0.31 0.39 0.46 0.47 0.54 0.55 0.65 0.78 0.91 1.24 1.47 C 15 0.34 0.40 0.51 0.60 0.60 0.71 0.71 0.84 0.99 1.17 1.57 1.87 D 19 0.46 0.54 0.67 0.80 0.79 0.93 0.93 1.10 1.28 1.53 2.01 2.41 E 22 0.55 0.65 0.80 0.95 0.94 1.11 1.09 1.30 1.50 1.80 2.34 2.83 F 28 0.74 0.88 1.06 1.26 1.24 1.47 1.44 1.72 1.96 2.36 3.01 3.66 G 30 0.81 0.96 1.15 1.37 1.34 1.60 1.55 1.86 2.11 2.55 3.23 3.94 H 32 0.87 1.04 1.25 1.48 1.44 1.72 1.67 2.00 2.26 2.74 3.46 4.23


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J 35 0.97 1.16 1.38 1.65 1.60 1.91 1.85 2.22 2.49 3.03 3.80 4.66 K 42 1.22 1.45 1.71 2.05 1.97 2.37 2.27 2.74 3.04 3.72 4.60 5.67 L 60 1.89 2.27 2.61 3.15 2.98 3.61 3.39 4.14 4.49 5.55 6.67 8.32 M 63 2.01 2.41 2.76 3.33 3.15 3.82 3.59 4.38 4.74 5.87 7.02 8.77 N 95 3.34 4.02 4.48 5.45 5.05 6.19 5.70 7.03 7.41 9.30 10.8 13.6 P 145 5.62 6.81 7.36 9.04 8.22 10.2 9.18 11.5 11.8 14.9 16.8 21.5

In the worst month, rain fading exceeded of pw% of the time can be calculated by the previous formula. “p” is calculated by

16.122.0 wpp ×=

In actual engineering design, microwave frequency lower than 10GHz, unavailability index caused by rain fading does not need to be considered.

6.3.6 Gas Absorption

Besides free space transmission loss, there are also oxygen and vapor absorption loss in the line-of-sight path transmission.

Fading caused by gas absorption is calculated by:

( )drrL wg += 0

In the formula: gL : fading caused by gas absorption dB;

0r , wr : ratio of the fading caused by oxygen and vapor dB/km;

( )32

223

0 1050.157

81.4227.0

09.61019.7 −− ×⎥⎦

⎤⎢⎣

⎡

+−+

++×= f

ffr

f < 57GHz

( ) ( ) ( ) ⎥⎦

⎤⎢⎣

⎡

+−+

+−+

+−++=

3.264.3259.8

93.1836.10

5.82.226.3021.005.0 222 fff

rw ρ

42 10−×• ρf f < 350GHz

In the formula:

ρ : vapor density, g/m3.

Following table 6.4 displays the fading of different frequencies caused by gas absorption per kilometer when the vapor density is 3/10 mg=ρ .

Table 6.4 Gas absorption loss rate (dB/km)

Frequency band 8G 11G 13G 14G 15G 18G 23G 26G Oxygen absorption loss rate 0.0067 0.0072 0.0077 0.0080 0.0083 0.0094 0.0121 0.0143 Vapor absorption rate 0.0057 0.0119 0.0186 0.0233 0.0295 0.0678 0.2462 0.1544


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Gas absorption rate 0.0123 0.0191 0.0263 0.0313 0.0378 0.0772 0.2583 0.1688

Based on the table, when the microwave frequency is 18 GHz, gas absorption loss is 0.0772dB/km. If the station distance is 10 km, the loss of a relay section is 0.77 dB. Therefore, when microwave frequency band is less than 18 GHz, compared with free space transmission loss, gas absorption loss can be neglected.

Have a think:

What do you learn from this chapter?

Calculation of microwave path parameter, including calculation of antenna azimuth, path distance, elevation and minus angle, clearance, reflection point, and antenna gain.

Calculation of microwave circuit indexes, including calculation of receiving level, flat fading margin, interference level, and diversity receiving parameter.

6.4 Conclusion

This chapter mainly describes microwave engineering calculation in two sections: the first is the calculation of microwave route and the second is the calculation of microwave circuit index.

Chapter 7 Microwave Engineering Design Requirement

Objectives　 :

To understand the basic requirements for microwave path and cross section design

To know the mounting height of microwave antenna

To learn how to choose microwave frequency band and configure polarization

To get familiar with the technical requirement of microwave engineering design.

7.1 Overview

Microwave engineering design includes selection of microwave path, microwave antenna height, configuration of microwave frequency and polarization, and selection of microwave antenna.


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7.2 Basic Requirement of Microwave Path and Cross-section Design

7.2.1 Cross Section and Station Distance

(1) Cross Section

Cross section of relay section of digital microwave relay communication system can be classified into four types based on terrains, weather condition, antenna height and electric wave propagation.

Type A:

The cross section consists of mountains, city buildings or combination of the two, without wide valleys and lakes lying between. The equivalent ground reflection coefficient of this cross section is less than 0.5, that is, the decrease of receiving level caused by ground reflection wave is not more than 6 dB. At the same time, if the cross section has no wide valley and lakes lying between and the gas is dry; multi-path fading is unlikely caused by gas non-homogeneous layer. For example, the cross section, in the area where reflection might be caused, with dry weather and consisting of knife-edge mountains with fluctuations more than 20m, and the cross section of hilly areas, where the elevation angle of electrical wave beam is larger than 0.5 and antennas at the two ends are quite different in height, both belong to type A.

Type B

The cross section consists of hilly areas with tiny fluctuations, without wide valleys and lakes lying between. The equivalent ground reflection coefficient of this cross section is less than 0.7, that is, the decrease of receiving level caused by ground reflection wave is less than 10 dB, and this coefficient cannot be neglected. Though there are no wide valleys and lakes lying between and weather is dry, due to tiny fluctuations, probability of multi-path fading caused by gas non-homogeneous layer cannot be neglected. For example, cross section with dry weather consisting of fluctuated hilly areas which may cause reflection, and plains lines where the weather is dry and the heights of antennas are every different, both belong to cross section of type B.

Type C

Cross section of type C consists of flat grounds and water reticulations, and it refers to humid cross section with many flat grounds, water reticulations and equal grounding reflectance not less than 0.7. For cross section of this type, due to the grounding reflected wave, receiving level undergoes a decrease of more than 10 dB. And because there are many water reticulations and the weather is humid, multi-path fading caused by gas non-homogeneous layer is serious. For example, flat ground lines, where the heights of the antennas are not so different and equal grounding reflectance is more than 0.7, belong to cross connection of type C.

Type D

Cross section of type D is cross-water circuits along coastal paths. Fading caused by water reflection and gas non-homogeneous layer is more serious


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than cross sections of type A, B and C. it is a very bad cross section seriously affecting electric wave transmission stability.

In conclusion, the feature of cross section is mainly depending on the influence of grounding reflection and gas non-homogeneous layer on the electric wave transmission. The two factors result in multi-path transmission of electric wave beams, cause frequency selective fading of the receiving signal level at the receiving end, and they seriously affect digital microwave especially the digital microwave system with higher capability and multiple level modulations. On one hand, the two factors can give rise to waveform distortion to the digital signals making BER deteriorate. On the other hand, they reduce polarization discrimination and increase the inter-channel interference of the system. Therefore, to ensure the transmission quality of digital signals, relay sections of cross sections of type A and type B should be preferred and that of type C and type D should be avoided.

In line design, for the bad cross section and relay sections that seriously affect transmission quality, equalization measure and diversity receiving technology should be adopted to overcome the influence of selective fading.

(2) Choosing Site Distance

The site distance of digital microwave relay communication lines should be determined based on parameters of equipment, geographical conditions, weather, antenna height, electric wave transmission and the technology measure that is adopted.

For relay section with longer or shorted site distance, technology measure should be adopted to ensure that the difference between the free space receiving level that the receiver inputs and the nominal value is not more than 3 dB.

7.2.2 Clearance Standard

(1) For each relay section of SDH microwave relay communication line,

considering the range of equivalent earth radius coefficient K, there is

certain clearance between electric wave direct rays and the lower

obstacle. For single obstacles, the clearance of relay section should

meet the following requirements. Clearance of relay section of multiple

obstacles, the K should be Kmin, and the electric wave diffraction loss

introduced by the obstacles should be not more than 10 dB. If K=4/3,

when there is no fading, the receiving level should be not less than the

requirement of free space receiving level.

(2) For the relay section that adopts space diversity, path clearance of the main

antenna should comply with the following regulations: when path

clearance of the diversity antenna meets the requirement of K=Kmin,

the electric wave diffraction loss introduced by the obstacles should be

not more than 15 dB (for single or multiple obstacles).


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(3) Besides meeting the following requirement for clearance, for microwave

relay section electric wave rays, the clearance of other sides within

λ/1.17 2Dd ≥ should be not less than 03H , within λ/1.17 2Dd ≤ ,

the clearance value must meet the antenna headroom requirement. (D

is the antenna diameter, λ is working length, and H0 is free space

clearance)

Table 7.1 Standard for SDH Microwave Relay Section Clearance Range

K value clearance Obstacle type

Kmin 4/3 Description

Knife-edge type 0≥H 0HH ≥ K: equivalent earth radius coefficient

Smooth ground and others 05.0 HH ≥ HmH ≤− 560

160 −≤ mH (Note)

Kmin: 0.1% of the statistical K value H0: free space clearance

Note: m=1, 2, 3…, is the number of interference lobe. When K=Kmin, m

should be the minimum if possible to avoid the antenna working at lobe of

high-order when K=4/3.

7.2.3 Antenna Height and Space Diversity Distance

I. Principles of Selecting Antenna Height

(1) The antenna height should meet the requirement of relay section clearance

standard and antenna headroom. For specific requirement, see the

following figure. (In the figure, D is the radius of the antenna, λ is the

working length).

D1m

20°

1 0 D

20°1

m

H

2

λD

L = 1 7 . 1

Figure 7.1 Antenna headroom requirements


Internal Use Only


(2) Ensure that the antenna height can control the reflection point of the electric

wave beam from falling onto the water surface and the area with large

reflection coefficient. And at the same time, the difference between the

altitudes of the transmitting and receiving antennas should be larger if

possible to reduce the influence of the K fading and channel fading.

II. Principles of Selecting Space Diversity Distance

Space diversity receiving is effective to overcome the influence of electric wave

fading.

The principles of determining the distance between diversity receiving antennas

are:

(1) For the smooth ground path with grounding reflection coefficient not less

than 0.5, overcome K fading

(2) For mountains areas and largely fluctuated ground with grounding

reflection coefficient not more than 0.5, overcome channel fading.

In digital microwave engineering design, diversity distance can be adjusted in the range of 200λ—300λ, that is, distance between the diversity antennas can be 8 to 12 m.

7.3 Selecting Microwave Band and Configuring Polarization

7.3.1 Selecting Microwave Band

In selecting microwave band, system transmission capacity, communication network plan, the status quo of the communication lines already built and the local conditions should be considered.

Basic principles of selecting microwave band:

(1) For PDH microwave circuit of long site distance (generally longer than 15

km), 8 GHz frequency is recommended. If the site distance is not more than 25

km, 11 GHz frequency is recommended. Frequencies should be determined

based on local weather condition and microwave transmission cross section.

(2) For PDH microwave circuit of short site distance (generally the access layer,

within 10 km), frequencies of 11GHz, 13GHz, 14GHz, 15GHz and 18GHz can

be adopted.

(3) For SDH microwave circuit with long site distance (generally longer than 15 km), frequencies of 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 7 GHz and 8 GHz are recommended. If the


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site distance is not more than 20 km, frequency of 11 GHz is optional. Frequencies should be chosen based on the local weather and microwave transmission cross section.

7.3.2 Arrangement of Microwave Frequency and Polarization

I. Factors should be considered in frequency arrangement

Microwave frequency arrangement involves transmitting and receiving

frequencies of all channels. The basic principle of selecting frequency

arrangement method is to minimize interference in the system and maximize

frequency spectrum utilization. Following factors should be considered.

In a middle station, a unidirectional channel should use different

frequencies with enough spacing to receive and transmit signals, to avoid

that signals transmitted from this station are received by this station and

prevent normal signals received from being interfered.

When many channels work at the same time, frequencies of the adjacent

channels must have enough spacing to avoid mutual interference.

The arrangement of the entire frequency spectrum must be compact to

make the designated communication frequency can be economically used.

For the construction of microwave antenna tower cost too much, system

with multiple channels should use the same antenna.

II. Frequency Arrangement Method

(1) Two-frequency system and four-frequency system

Two-frequency system: the transmitting frequencies of each middle station in the two directions are the same, and so are the receiving frequencies. But transmitting frequency and receiving frequency changes station by station. Advantages: narrow frequency band occupied; high frequency spectrum utilization. Disadvantages: the transmitter of a direction can receive co-frequency interference signal from the opposite direction and the antenna should be highly defensive towards the opposite direction to reduce signals from the opposite direction attenuated 65–75dB or more than the signals from right ahead. If the system has ATPC function, requirement for the antenna can be lowered.

Four-frequency system: each middle station uses four frequencies to receive and transmit signals, thus, four-frequency system is not troubled by opposite receiving interference and the antenna can be less defensive towards the opposite direction. But four-frequency system occupies frequency band one time wider than two-frequency system.


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Another co-frequency interference, that is, cross-station interference, may occur to the two systems. To avoid cross-station interference, the site positions must be zigzag-shaped when designing the lines.

Following figure shows frequency arrangements of two-frequency and

four-frequency systems.

Figure 7.2 frequency arrangements of two-frequency and four-frequency

systems

Two-frequency system, four-frequency system

(2) High Station and Low Station

Based on the feature that the transmitting and receiving frequencies change station by station, there are two types of stations on the microwave line: one is the station that the receiving frequency is higher than transmitting frequency, called “high” station. The other is the station that the receiving frequency is lower than transmitting frequency, called “low” station. High/low station is named based on the receiving frequency.

Figure 7.3 High and low stations


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High station, low station

III. Principles of Microwave frequency and Polarization Arrangements

(1) Digital microwave equipment of the same frequency band should be consistent in the station type when they are co-located, and that of different frequencies can be either consistent or inconsistent in the station type when they are co-located.

(2) Microwave system of access layer

a) When microwave equipment is co-located: frequency arrangement should

adopt four-frequency system, mainly for the sake of frequency

arrangement. If two-frequency system is adopted, high-performance

antenna should be used.

b) When microwave equipment is co-located: if they use adjacent frequencies

and the separation angle is less than 20°, the polarization should be

reverse.

c) For long-haul microwave system with high frequency more than 10 GHz,

vertical polarization should be preferred.

d) Cross-station interference should be considered in the arrangements of

frequency and polarization.

(3) Microwave system of backbone layer

a) Frequency arrangement should adopt two-frequency system

b) Microwave circuit should be zigzag arranged if possible to avoid

cross-station interference.

When the deflecting angle of the middle station is 80°≤Φ< 135°, two directions

can be in the same channel, but the polarization should be opposite.

When the deflecting angle of the middle station is 135°≤Φ≤180°, two directions

can be in the same channel and with same polarization.

When the deflecting angle of the middle station is Φ< 80°, two directions cannot

be in the same channel, one should be even and other should be odd, but the

polarization can be the same.

When the deflecting angle of the middle station is Φ< 20°, two directions cannot

work in the same channel, one should be odd and the other should be even.

The polarization should be opposite.


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c) Typical polarization arrangement methods are as follows:

Alternate polarization every hop, which can reduce the ante-dorsal interference of the antenna.

Alternate polarization every other hop, which can reduce cross-station interference.

7.4 Technical Requirement of Digital Microwave Relay Communication Engineering Design

7.4.1 PDH Microwave Engineering Design Technical Requirement

I. Assumed reference channel of digital microwave relay communication system

(1) Advanced assumed reference digital channel of microwave relay

communication system, used to transmit digital microwave relay larger than

secondary group, 2500 km long.

(2) Intermediate assumed reference digital channel of microwave relay



(3) User-level assumed reference digital channel of microwave relay



(4) Advanced digital microwave channel is used between level-2 and higher toll exchange centers. Intermediate digital microwave channel is used between level-2 exchange center and local exchange center. User-level digital microwave channel is used to the relay line between local network terminal office and users.

II. Bit Error Performance Index of Digital Microwave Relay Communication System

(1) Considering fading inside the system, interference and other bad factors,

bit error performance of the 64kbit/s output end of the advanced

assumed reference digital channel should meet the following

requirements:

In any month, in 0.4% or more of the total time, average bit error rate of one

minute should be not more than 1*10-6


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In any month, in 0.054 % or more of the total time, average bit error rate of

one second should be not more than 1*10-3

In any month, total time of the bit error should be not more than 0.32% of

the entire month.


bit error performance of the 64kbit/s output end of the intermediate


requirements:





In any month, total time of the bit error should be not more than 1.2% of the

entire month.


bit error performance of the 64kbit/s output end of the user-level


requirements:





In any month, total time of the bit error should be not more than 1.2% of the

entire month.

III. When there is only one transport method of digital microwave channel, those indexes are applicable.

(4) Assumed reference digital section of 5 or 280 km, based on different types,

considering fading inside the system, interference and other bad

factors, bit error performance of the 64kbit/s output end should meet

the following requirement.

Table 7.2 Assumed reference digital section bit error performance index


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Assumed reference digital

section type

Length

(Km)

Bit error rate larger than 1×10-6

(minute)

Bit error rate larger than 1×10-3

(second) Bit error rate Residual bit error

rate

Type 1 280 0.045% 0.006% 0.036% 5.6×10-10 Type 2 280 0.2% 0.0075% 0.16% 2.5×10-9 Type 3 50 0.2% 0.002% 0.16% 2.5×10-9 Type 4 50 0.55% 0.005% 0.4% 6×10-10

Note: assumed reference digital section of type 1 is suitable to

constitute advanced assumed reference digital channel of 2500 km, type 2,

between advanced and intermediate circuits, type 3 and 4, between

intermediate and user-level circuits.

(5) For advanced actual digital microwave channel with the circuit length L not

less than 280 km, and the intermediate actual digital microwave

channel with circuit length L larger than two digital sections, based on

the difference of circuit structure between actual and assumed digital

microwave channel, considering fading inside the system, interference

and other bad factors, bit error performance of the 64kbit/s output end

should meet the following requirements. (For advanced actual digital

microwave channel with circuit length less than 280 km, the bit error

performance indexes are as same as that with length of 280 km.)

Table 7.3 Advanced and intermediate actual digital microwave channel bit error performance index

Channel quality level

Time percentage of the entire month (%)

Bit error performance item

Advanced circuit Intermediate circuit

Degrading score with bit error ratio larger than 1×10-6 ≤0.4L/2500 ≤1.5L/1250 SES with bit error ratio larger than 1×10-3 (second) ≤0.054L/2500 ≤0.04L/1250 Bit error rate ≤0.32L/2500 ≤1.2L/1250 Residual bit error rate ≤5×10-9L/2500 ≤1.8×10-8L/1250

(6) When the length of user-level actual digital microwave channel, L, is larger

than 50 km, for error rate performance index, refer to that of L=50 km.

(7) When the length of actual digital microwave channel of type 2, 3 and 4 is

not more than two digital sections, and the digital section length L and

the length of assumed reference digital section L0 of relevant type has

the following relation: “n L0< L< (n+1) L0”, the bit error performance of

64kbit/s output end, should be n+1 times of that of the assumed

reference section of relevant type.


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IV. Unavailability index of microwave relay communication system

(1) The unavailability index of advanced assumed reference digital microwave

channel (bidirectional), in any year, should be not more than 0.3%, among this,

caused by propagation is 1/3.

(2) The unavailability index of intermediate assumed reference digital microwave channel (bidirectional), in any year, should be not more than 0.2%–0.5%, among this, that caused by propagation is 1/3.

(3) The unavailability index of user-level assumed reference digital microwave channel (bidirectional), in any year, should be not more than 0.08%–1%, among this, that caused by propagation is 1/3.

(4) For principles of unavailability index of actual circuit, make linear distribution based on circuit length.

(5) Unavailability index of assumed reference digital section (bidirectional)

should meet the following requirement.

Table 7.4 Unavailability index of assumed reference digital section

Digital section type Unavailability index (bidirectional) Type 1 (280 Km) 0.033% Type 2 (280 Km) 0.05% Type 3 (50 Km) 0.05% Type 4 (50 Km) 0.1%

7.4.2 SDH Microwave Engineering Design Technical Requirement

I. SDH Microwave Relay Communication System Assumed Reference Channel

(1) Connecting length of international circuit of national L1 backbone line that uses microwave relay with transmission basic group and higher constant bit rate is 5000 km.

(2) For the SDH microwave relay communication system with each IF channel

at transmission basic group and higher constant bit rate, based on its position in

the network, can be classified into inter-provincial backbone, provincial

backbone, local network and access network.

(3) Inter-provincial backbone is used between toll exchange centers and between exchange center and international interface office. Provincial backbone connects provincial toll exchange center. Local network is used to connect local network terminal office (or transit exchange) and toll exchange center. Access network is used to connect user to local network terminal office (or transit exchange).


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II. Bit Error Performance Index of SDH Microwave Relay Communication System

(1) Considering fading inside the system, interference and other bad factors, error performance index of inter-provincial backbone channel, in any direction and any month, should not exceed the following standard value.

Table7.5 bit error performance index of inter-provincial backbone channel Channel rate (Kbit/s) 1500–5000 >15000–

55000 >55000– 160000

>160000– 3500000

Bits/block 2000–8000 4000–20000 6000–20000 15000–30000 ESR 0.04×A 0.075×A 0.16×A (to be defined) SESR 0.002×A 0.002×A 0.002×A 0.002×A BBER 2×10-4×A 2×10-4×A 2×10-4×A 2×10-4×A

In the table: A=6%×L/5000 L: actual length of the circuit

(2) Considering fading inside the system, interference and other bad factors, error performance index of provincial backbone channel, in any direction and any month, should not exceed the following standard value.

Table7.6 bit error performance index of provincial backbone channel Channel rate (Kbit/s) 1500–5000 >15000–

55000 >55000– 160000

>160000– 3500000

Bits/block 2000–8000 4000–20000 6000–20000 15000–30000 ESR 0.04×B 0.075×B 0.16×B (to be defined) SESR 0.002×B 0.002×B 0.002×B 0.002×B BBER 2×10-4×B 2×10-4×B 2×10-4×B 10-4×B

In the table: B=2.5%+1%×L/500 L: actual length of the circuit

(3) Considering fading inside the system, interference and other bad factors, error performance index of local network channel, in any direction and any month, should not exceed the following standard value.

Table7.7 bit error performance index of local network channel Channel rate (Kbit/s) 1500–5000 >15000–

55000 >55000– 160000

>160000– 3500000

Bits/block 2000–8000 4000–20000 6000–20000 15000–30000 ESR 0.04×C 0.075×C 0.16×C (to be defined) SESR 0.002×C 0.002×C 0.002×C 0.002×C BBER 2×10-4×C 2×10-4×C 2×10-4×C 10-4×C

In the table: C=5%

(4) Considering fading inside the system, interference and other bad factors, error performance index of access network, in any direction and any month, should not exceed the following standard value.

Table7.8 bit error performance index of access network channel Channel rate (Kbit/s) 1500–5000 >15000–

55000 >55000– 160000

>160000– 3500000

Bits/block 2000–8000 4000–20000 6000–20000 15000–30000 ESR 0.04×D 0.075×D 0.16×D (待定) SESR 0.002×D 0.002×D 0.002×D 0.002×D BBER 2×10-4×D 2×10-4×D 2×10-4×D 10-4×D


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In the table: D=8%

(5) For inter-provincial and provincial backbones, actual bit error performance design index should be distributed in direct proportion based on actual channel length by referencing the standard value in the previous table.

III. Unavailability Index of SDH Microwave Relay Communication System

(1) Unavailability index of toll assumed reference digital channel, in any year,

should not exceed 0.06% in every 500 km, and that caused by propagation

occupies 1/3.

(2) Unavailability index of actual circuit is linearly distributed based on circuit length.

7.4.3 Access Network Technical Requirement—26 GHz Local Multiple-point Distribution System (LMDS)

Based on PRC communication industry standard (YD/T1186-2002) “Access Network Technical Requirement—26 GHz Local Multiple-point Distribution System (LMDS)”

(1) Bit error performance index:

1) Bit error performance

Bit error performance of Nx64 Kbit/s digital connection

Between the SNI and UNI of LMDS fixed radio access system, bit error

performance of digital connection should meet requirements in the following

table.

Table 7.9 Bit error performance index of Nx64 Kbit/s digital connection

Rate ESR SESR Nx64kbit/s 1.2×10-2 1.5×10-4

Bit error performance of 2048 Kbit/s channel

As to high bit rate channel, when radio access is used in the access network,

the total bit error performance indexes should reach 7.5% of all the indexes of

27,500 km.

Between the SNI and UNI of LMDS fixed radio access system, bit error performance of 2048 Kbit/s digital connection should meet requirements in the following table.

Table 7.10 Bit error performance index of 2048 Kbit/s digital connection

Rate ESR SESR BBER Equivalent BER


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2048kbit/s 3.0×10-3 1.5×10-4 1.5×10-5 1.46×10-9

(2) Availability Index

Intermediate quality requirement, annual availability: 99.8%

Advanced quality requirement, annual availability: 99.99%

7.4.4 Access Network Technical Requirement—3.5 GHz Fixed Radio Access

Based on PRC communication industry standard (YD/T11586-2001) “Access

Network Technical Requirement—3.5 GHz Fixed Radio Access”

(1) Bit error performance index:

1) Bit error performance

Bit error performance of Nx64 Kbit/s digital connection

Between the SNI and UNI of 3.5G fixed radio access system, bit error

performance of Nx64 Kbit/s digital connection should meet requirements in the

following table.

Table 7.11 Bit error performance index of Nx64 Kbit/s digital connection

Rate ESR SESR Nx64kbit/s 1.2×10-2 1.5×10-4

Bit error performance of 2048 Kbit/s channel

As to high bit rate channel, when radio access is used in the access network,

the total bit error performance indexes should reach 7.5% of all the indexes of

27,500 km.

Between the SNI and UNI of 3.5 G fixed radio access system, bit error

performance of 2048 Kbit/s digital connection should meet requirements in the

following table.

Table 7.12 Bit error performance index of 2048 Kbit/s digital connection

Rate ESR SESR BBER Equivalent BER 2048kbit/s 3.0×10-3 1.5×10-4 1.5×10-5 1.46×10-9

(2) Availability Index

Intermediate quality requirement, annual availability: 99.9%

Advanced quality requirement, annual availability: 99.99%


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Have a think


1. Basic requirements of microwave engineering route and cross section design

2. Microwave frequency band selection and polarization arrangement

3. Technical requirement of digital microwave relay communication engineering

design

7.5 Conclusion

This chapter mainly describes microwave engineering design requirement in three parts: first part is about the basic requirements of microwave engineering route and cross section design, second part is about microwave frequency band selection and polarization arrangement, and the third part describes technical requirement of digital microwave relay communication engineering design.

Chapter 8 Microwave Engineering Design

　 Objectives:

To master the methods of microwave engineering design

To understand actual practices of microwave engineering design

8.1 Design Method

8.1.1 Overview

Digital microwave relay line engineering design mainly includes three aspects:

Selecting route, determining antenna height, clearance and calculating

receiving level

Determining frequency arrangement and polarization

Evaluating the performance of circuit


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8.1.2 Route, Site and Antenna Height

I. 8.1.2.1. Route Selection and Technical Requirements

Principles of selecting route:

(1) Based on the features of line-of-sight microwave system, the distance between two sites must be within the line of sight.

(2) Avoid water surface and flat wide area, to prevent deep fading caused by strong reflection of the water surface and the ground. If possible, select fluctuated cross sections as the routes, and make full use of the terrains.

(3) If areas with strong reflection cannot be avoided, make antenna of one end

highly mounted and the other lowly mounted, and the reflection point can fall on

the low end. Note: use obstacles to prevent reflection waves.

(4) To ensure reliable communication, site distance should not be too long. For microwave system with 6–8GH, control it between 30 km and 50 km. Specific distance should be based on actual cross section.

(5) For microwave backbone adopts two-frequency system, try to avoid cross-station interference, and the circuit should be zigzag arranged.

(6) Route selection should be based on the construction scheme of transmission network, and suggestions of construction organization and the existing siting (site position) should be considered.

Principles of selecting site:

(1) The site should be located at the place where the transportation is convenient and reliable power supply is available, rather than the place that is too remote or isolated.

(2) Environment around the site should be safe. You must not locate the site at potential mineral mountain areas, ancient relics and flood-beaten areas.

(3) The site should be located at the place where the soil is homogeneous

rather than fault areas, edge of earth slope, ancient watercourse and places

with potential land slip and slide. For earthquake-sensitive areas, locate the site

at the place favorable against earthquake.

(4) Environment of the site should be quiet. The site should not be located at the place that near industrial factories which emanates harmful gases, dust, smog and other hazardous substances.

(5) Site should meet the requirements of communication security, and firefight.

Methods of selecting routes

(1) Indoor line selection


Internal Use Only


The major task of indoor line selection is to provide route scheme by drawing a

map, to guide on-site survey.

On a map (written or electronic) of 1/500000, determine the general layout

of the circuit and the possible positions of adding/dropping circuits.

On a military map of 1/50000, from one terminal station to another terminal

station, determine the site of teach middle station by carefully calculation

and then draw a complete circuit.

List the basic data of each station and each relay section, draw landform

profile, calculate the antenna heights of each station and check electric

wave propagation, and then determine the tower height.

Select two or more routes, technically and economically compare the

routes in an overall view, and then determine the optimal route. For each

site, two optional places should be provided, and then engineers can

choose during on-site survey.

(2) On-site inspection and survey

In survey, check the transportation, living condition, geological condition, weather condition of the entire line; check whether the actual layout is contradictory to the map, and whether the local construction plan is contradictory to the site plan. Based on these materials, review the indoor line selection which may lay the basis for next design task.

After the survey is done, electrical test is always conducted, but it is not

indispensable. According to the previous experience accumulated in similar line

design, if new line cannot be estimated, electrical test should be conducted.

Finally, compare the microwave route schemes and make a decision: first check whether the scheme meet technical requirements, second, whether the scheme can assure available living conditions and convenient maintenance. If schemes are up to these two premises, economically compare the schemes in an overall view: total investment, quantity of all the stations on the line, stations that need independent power supply rather than that from city, total tower height, length of the route, length of the cable, and then make the optimal scheme.

II. 8.1.2.2. Determining Antenna Height

Based on the route and sites determined, determine the antenna mounting height by calculating the clearance. If space diversity is adopted, the mounting height of primary antenna and diversity antenna should be determined.

Principles of determining antenna mounting height:

(1) Antenna mounting height should meet the clearance requirement and there should be no obstacles near the antenna (draw the profile and calculate the clearance).


Internal Use Only


(2) For cross section of C and D types, make sure that he reflection point does not fall on the water surface or areas with larger reflectance or the reflected wave can be prevented by obstacles.

(3) Enlarge the height difference between the receiving and transmitting antennas, which may be helpful to reduce K-shape fading and channel-shape fading.

(4) Height of antennas in microwave relay section should be arranged in a “high—low—high—low” order.

(5) If conditions are satisfied, microwave antenna should be lowly mounted to save the cost.

8.1.3 Frequency Selection and Polarization Arrangement

Principles of frequency selection and polarization arrangement: make full use of existing frequency resources, and reduce possible RF interference of the system.

There are three solutions for RF channel configuration in actual engineering design. See the following figures.

(a)交替波道配置方案

31

2 n n'2'

1' 3'

44'

XS

XS YS

DS

ZS

V(H)

H(V)

H(V)

V(H)

ZS

DS

YS

XS

3r

3'1'

n'rnr1r

1 3

(b)同波道方式频带复用方案

2r 4r

2 4 n 2' 4'

4'r2'r1'r 3'r

n'

n'

3'r1'r 2'r 4'r

4'2'n42

4r

(c)交插方式频带复用方案

31

nr

n'r

1' 3'

XS

YS

DS

ZS

V(H)

H(V)

XS 2r1r 3r

Figure 8.1 Three solutions of RF channel configuration

Alternate channel configuration solution, co-channel band multiplex solution, cross band multiplex solution

In figure 8.1, meanings if symbols are as follows:

XS (MHz): on the same polarization and in the same transmission direction,

frequency spacing between center frequencies of adjacent RF channels


Internal Use Only


YS (MHz): frequency spacing between center frequencies of nearest coming and outgoing RF channels.

ZS (MHz): frequency spacing between the center frequency of the outmost RF channel and frequency band edge. When the upper and lower spacings are different, ZS1 is called lower frequency spacing, and ZS2 is called upper frequency spacing.

DS (MHz): frequency spacing between the center frequencies (such as fn and fn′ ) of each pair of coming and outgoing RF channels.

8.1.4 Circuit Performance Estimate

There are two ways to estimate digital microwave line performance: one is based on unavailability degree, estimate the unavailability degree of the transmission system caused by propagation fading, equipment and power supply fault. Compare the estimate result with defined value to determine whether system design can meet the requirement. For the estimate result of the unavailability degree caused by equipment, power supply fault is relatively large; it is not used in engineering design. The other is to determine whether interruption rate meet the index requirement based on severe error second (SES) or severe error second ratio (SESR). The interruption rate of the system only needs to consider the influence of electric wave propagation fading.

Following introduces the second method of estimate.

(1) Estimate receiving level based on transmitting power, propagation loss, and antenna gain. Calculate fading margin based on receiving level and receiving threshold level.

(2) Estimate transmission system interruption rate based on fading margin, frequency diversity, space diversity and selective fading margin, and determine whether it matches the index requirement of SES/SESR.

Determining threshold level:

(1) For PDH microwave, bit error performance parameter is established based on BER and the index system of setting second as the basic measurement spacing. Therefore, in engineering design, you only need to predict the possibility of SESR with bit error ratio exceeding 10-3 (that is, calculation of interruption rate described in 2.2.4)

(2) For SDH microwave, the error performance parameter is established based on blocks and block is set as the basic measurement spacing for index system. The requirement of block is higher than BER; therefore, in engineering design, to predict the possibility of SEBS, you need to predict the possibility of BER exceeding 10-5–10-4 of SESR.

Comparison between Calculation and Target Value:

In actual engineering design, fading caused by gas absorption is not considered and it is considered to be approximately flat fading. Frequency selective fading and the interruption rate caused by interference are independent of each other (that is, coordinate effect coefficient 1=ξ ). At the same time, considered the difference between actual receiving level and theoretically calculated receiving level, normally, the circuit interruption rate predicted should be 7–10dB less that


Internal Use Only


the target value, that is, 5 to 10 times. Specific times should be based on cross section.

8.2 Design Example

8.2.1 SDH Microwave Circuit

I. 8.2.1.1 Route Selection

A is an sea island subject to B, the distance between A and B is 58km, crossing over the sea. In a project, a hop of SDH microwave is to be established to facilitate the transmission of A. Considering that B is too far way from A, for the sake of microwave transmission quality, another route is needed rather than A—B.

Following is a map about the location of A and B.

Wansong Hill Ruian

Yandun Hill

Wansong Hill Ruian

Yandun Hill

Figure 8.2 location of A, B and C

A：Beilu B：Wansong Hill,Ruian C：Yandun Hill

From the map, you can see the nearest place to A is C, and the distance between A and C is 25km. Microwave transmission quality can be assured in


Internal Use Only


the route A—C. therefore, route A—C is chosen. The cross section of microwave transmission is type D.

II. 8.2.1.2 Determining the Site

Known conditions:

(1) There is a microwave site at C with a microwave tower 40m high. The latitude and longitude of the C are: east longitude is 121°07'31.4'', north latitude is 27°50'23.5'', and the altitude is 220m.

(2) From the military map of 1/50000, you can see that on the line from A to C,

3km away from A, there is a small island with altitude of 60m.

Determining the site:

(1) Select the site based on the map, and requirements for the site are as

follows:

Microwave route crosses the small island with the altitude of 60m and 3 km

away from B.

Ensure that the reflected wave can be prevented by the island (note that the

altitude of this point should be controlled at about 60—80m).

Due consideration should be excised for the microwave to be established in

other directions when initially choosing the site.

(2) On-Site Survey:

The objective of on-site survey is to check whether transportation of the site is

convenient and whether the place is suitable to establish site.

(3) Electrical Test

The objective of electrical test is to check whether the site meet design requirement, that is, whether the receiving level of electrical test is consistent with the receiving level in theory, and whether the reflected wave is prevented (whether the receiving level fluctuate).

These three steps are can be circulated to verify the site.

(4) Determine the site:

Finally, the microwave site of A is determined to be: east longitude 121°11'59.6'', north latitude 27°37'22.5'', altitude 74 m. Specific site is as follows:


Internal Use Only


Figure 8.3 Site map

A：Beilu island D：Beilong direction C：Dongtou direction

small island with altitude of 60m

Note: initially two sites are selected; see the two five-pointed stars on figure 8.3. Based on on-site survey and electrical test, the two sites both meet the requirements. Considering that microwave may be established from A to D, from the black five-pointed star to D, microwave needs to cross an island of 120m high but the altitude of the black five-pointed star is only 80m. If choosing the place that the black five-pointed star shows, a tower of 60m needs to be built, which may need large investment. While from the place that the red five-pointed star shows to D, microwave only needs to cross an island of 70m, which does not need high tower and saves the cost. Therefore, the place that the red five-pointed star shows is selected as the microwave site.

III. 8.2.1.3 Determining Antenna Mounting Height

Known conditions:

(1) From the military map of 1/50000, find there are two obstacles from A to C. the first obstacle is 75m above the sea level and 280m away from the microwave site of A. and the second obstacle is 52m above the sea level, 3.75km away from the microwave site of A.


Internal Use Only


(2) The caliber of microwave antenna is 2m, the frequency band of microwave is

6G (U), and that is, the center frequency is 6.775 GHz.

(3) Microwave antenna mounting height of C is 32/22m.

(4) Site of C: east longitude is 121°07'31.4'', north latitude is 27°50'23.5'', and

altitude is 220m. Site of A: east longitude is 121°11'59.6'', north latitude is

27°37'22.5'' and altitude is 25.21km.

Calculation:

(1) Calculation of antenna near zone

1. Requirement for the headroom length of the antenna near zone

Headroom length of antenna near zone:

)(7.1544775.6/3.0

21.171.1722

0 mDL =×==λ

2. Requirement for the headroom height of the antenna near zone.

Headroom height of antenna near zone:

)(28.8)20(102/ 00 mtgDDd =××+=

(2) Calculation of Antenna Height of A

1. Based on the previous calculation, the first obstacle is located at the near

zone of antenna, and the mounting height should meet near-zone

headroom requirement.

Microwave antenna minimum mounting height:

)(28.9)7475(28.80 mH =−+=

According to the antenna near-zone headroom requirement, the antenna

mounting height should not be less than 10m.

2. For the second obstacle is located at antenna far-zone, antenna mounting

height should meet the clearance standard. That is, when k=4/3, 0HH ≥ ,

and when k=2/3, 0≥H .

Antenna mounting height of A should be 10m.

Free space clearance: )(86.6577.03

26.18 1121

0 mFF

ddd

H ====λ


Internal Use Only


Projection height of the obstacle:

k=4/3: )(74.42 0

21 mkRdd

he ==

k=2/3: )(47.92 0

21 mkRdd

he ==

Clearance:

k=4/3: ( ) ( )

)(26.523122211 mhH

ddHhdHhh ece =−−

+++=

k=2/3: ( ) ( )

)(52.473122211 mhH

ddHhdHhh ece =−−

+++=

Based on calculation, microwave antenna mounting height meets clearance requirement. For the microwave of this hop is cross-sea microwave, site distance is very long, therefore, space diversity is adopted and diversity spacing is 10m. Antenna heights of the two stations are determined as follows:

Antenna height of C is 32/22m and that of A is 20/10m.

(3) Calculation of Reflection Point

Based on the formula in section 6.2.6, when k=4/3, the distance between the reflection point and A is 7.09 km (antenna height of C is 32m and that of A is 20m).

Projection height of the obstacle:

k=4/3: )(74.02 0

21 mkRddhe ==

Clearance:

k=4/3: ( ) ( )

)(43.83122211 mhH

ddHhdHhh ece −=−−

+++=

For reflected wave clearance calculated is a negative value, the reflected

wave is prevented by the small island.

(4) Microwave Route Parameter Calculation List

Table 8.1 C—A Microwave route technical parameter list

No. Site name A C East longitude 121°11'59.6'' 121°07'31.4'' 1 Position North latitude 27°37'22.5'' 27°50'23.5''


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No. Site name A C 2 County Pingyang Dongtou 3 Altitude (m) 74 220 4 Relative mounting height of the primary antenna (m) 20 32 5 Relative mounting height of the secondary antenna (m) 10 22 6 Altitude of the primary antenna (m) 94 252 7 Site distance (km) 25.21 8 Communication azimuth (direct north) 343°06'49'' 163°04'44'' 9 Minus/elevation angle of the primary antenna 0°16'26'' -0°26'39'' 10 Minus/elevation angle of the secondary antenna 0°17'48'' -0°25'17'' 11 Frequency band (GHz) 6.775 12 Reflection point (K=4/3) 7.09 13 Altitude of the obstacle (m) 52.0 14 Position of the obstacle: d1(km) 3.75 15 F1(m) 11.89

Clearance (m) 60.77 16 K=4/3 primary antenna Relative clearance 5.11 Clearance (m) 59.28 17 K=4/3 diversity antenna

(C) Relative clearance 4.99 Clearance (m) 52.26 18 K=4/3 diversity antenna

(A) Relative clearance 4.40 Clearance (m) 56.03 19 K=2/3 primary antenna Relative clearance 4.71 Clearance (m) 54.54 20 K=2/3 diversity antenna

(C) Relative clearance 4.59 Clearance (m) 47.52 21 K=2/3 diversity antenna

(A) Relative clearance 4.00

(5) Microwave Profile


Internal Use Only


Figure 8.4 C—A microwave profile


Internal Use Only


IV. 8.2.1.4 Calculation of Circuit Index

Interruption rate of this microwave circuit selective fading is calculated by linear amplitude dispersion.

Known conditions:

(1) Microwave working center frequency is 6.775 GHz, site distance is 25.14 km,

and the cross section type is type.

(2) Microwave equipment configuration is 1+1, space diversity is adopted and

the transmission capacity is STM-1.

(3) Microwave transmitting power is 32 dBm, tributary system loss is 5.5 db and

the receiving threshold is -73.5 dBm.

(4) Φ2.0m microwave antenna gain is 40.5 db, and total loss of the feeder line is

4.42 db.

Calculation:

(1) Calculation of free space transmission loss

( )[ ] ( )[ ] )(10.13721.25lg20775.6lg2044.92lg20lg2044.92 dBGHzfkmdL f =++=++= (2) Free space receiving level

)(3410.1375.542.45.40232)()( dBmLLLLGGPP fBrrtrttro −=−−−×+=−−+−++= (3) Flat fading margin

)(5.39)5.73(34 dBPPF throd =−−−=−=

(4) Calculation of diversity improvement degree

Free space diversity

( ) ( ) 82.2861014.25/775.6100012.010102.1 105.39

21032 =×××=××= −− vFsd

ddfSI

In actual engineering design, maximum free space diversity improvement degree is 200.

Frequency diversity

19.4910775.608.0

14.25775.6801080 10

5.3910 =××

×=×

Δ×= dF

fd ff

fdI

In actual engineering design, maximum frequency diversity improvement degree is 10.

(5) Calculation of flat fading interruption rate (BER<10-4)


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5105.39

2.36-10 1014.61021.25775.6102.63010 −−−×=××××==

dFCB

e dKQfP

(6) Calculation of selective fading interruption rate (BER<10-4):

For details, refer to the calculation method described in section 2.3.4.2. For the parameter: fΔ is 30.1 MHz, L0 is 20dB, and progress error distribution coefficient K1 is 5.

Without space diversity:

4)10/(2)10/(

2)10/(

1000.110)1(4)101(

)101(12.000

0−×=

⎥⎥⎦

⎤

⎢⎢⎣

⎡

×−×+−−

−= Lf

L

LCB

fr RdKQfP

With space diversity:

( )6

2)10/(

)10/(122

0200

1064.3

)101(10)1(4

tan41)1(5.0182.0

0

0

−

−

×=

⎪⎭

⎪⎬⎫

⎪⎩

⎪⎨⎧

−

×−×+−−−×= L

LfCB

fr

RxxxdKQfP

π

For improvement degree of frequency diversity selective fading, refer to the

improvement coefficient of frequency diversity flat fading. Here, it is 10.

Since SDH microwave equipment has decision feedback equalizer which can

improve selective fading, here the improvement degree is 2.

(7) Calculation of total interruption loss (BER<10-4)

Based on new national standard, this microwave circuit is evaluated by the local

network circuit index: SESR of each kilometer is distributed as

0.002×5%/500=2×10-7. Microwave circuit of this hop allows SESR to be

5.04×10-6.

SESR of the predicted circuit that does not adopt space diversity and

frequency diversity is

445 1061.12/1000.11014.6/ −−− ×=×+×=+= IPpP fdet .

SESR of the predicted circuit that adopts frequency diversity is

545 1061.1)102/(1000.110/1014.6)/(/ −−− ×=××+×=×+= IIPIpP ffdfdfdet


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SESR of the predicted circuit that adopts space diversity is 4.60×10-6.

665 1013.22/1064.3200/1014.6// −−− ×=×+×=+= IPIpP frsdsdet

SESR of the predicted circuit that adopts space diversity and frequency

diversity is

765 1013.2)210/(1064.3)10200/(1014.6

)/()/(−−− ×=××+××=

×+×= IIPIIpP ffdfrsdsdfdet

From the predicted result, the microwave circuit can meet design requirements only by adopting space diversity and frequency diversity.

(9) Digital microwave transmission index estimate list

Table 8.2 C—A digital microwave transmission index estimate list

No. Site name A C 1 Frequency (GHz) 6.775 2 Arrangement (1+1)*STM-1 3 Modulation 64QAM 4 Site distance (km) 25.21 5 Cross section type D 6 Antenna polarization H 7 Caliber of the primary antenna (m) 2.0 2.0 8 Caliber of the diversity antenna (m) 2.0 2.0 9 Primary antenna gain (dB) 40.5 40.5 10 Diversity antenna gain (dB) 40.5 40.5 11 Transmitting power (dBm) 32 12 Free space loss (dB) 137.10 13 Primary feeder line length (m) 40 45 14 Primary feeder line loss (dB) 2.14 2.41 15 Tributary loss (dB) 5.50 16 Normal receiving level (dBm) -34.2 17 Threshold level (dBm)( (BER=1E-4) -73.5 18 Flat fading margin (dB) 39.5 19 Possibility of flat fading occurrence 54.415 20 Predicted possibility of flat fading interruption rate (BER<1E-4) 6.14E-05 21 Diversity antenna vertical spacing (m) 10 10 22 Frequency diversity spacing (MHz) 80.00 23 Space diversity improvement degree (Isd) 200 200 24 Frequency diversity improvement degree (Ifd) 10 25 Diversity predicted flat fading interruption rate (BER<1E-4) 3.07E-08 26 Predicted selective fading interruption rate 5.00E-06 27 Diversity predicted selective fading interruption rate 1.82E-07 28 Predicted fading interruption rate (BER<1E-4) 2.13E-07 29 Permitted interruption rate (BER<1E-4) 5.04E-06

Table 8.3 digital microwave selective fading index estimate list

No. Site name A C 1 Frequency (GHz) 6.775 2 Arrangement (1+1)*STM-1


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No. Site name A C 3 Modulation 64QAM 4 Site distance (km) 25.21 5 Cross section type D 6 Antenna altitude height (m) 94 242 7 Antenna height difference (m) 148 8 Frequency channel bandwidth (MHz) 30.01 9 Progress difference distribution co-efficient (k1) 5 10 Rayleigh fading possibility (F GHz) 10.88% 11 Rayleigh fading possibility (4 GHz) 6.79% 12 Average value of progress error: lm(cm) 23.01 13 Standard deviation of progress error: r1(cm) 30.04 14 Frequency relative coefficient: rf 0.95 15 Linear amplitude dispersion (BER=10^-3) 20 16 Chromatic fading possibility (PLO) 9.19E-04 17 Frequency diversity improvement coefficient 10 18 Decision feedback equalizer improvement coefficient 2 19 Possibility of linear amplitude dispersion exceeding L0 5.00E-06 20 Space diversity S/D 21 Possibility of linear amplitude dispersion exceeding L0 (with diversity) 3.34E-05 22 Predicted selective fading interruption rate 1.82E-07

8.2.2 SDH Microwave Site Type and Polarization Configuration

This section describes how to configure two-frequency microwave polarization

and site type, and how to calculate interference.

(1) A hop of SDH microwave is previously established from C to B, C is the high site, B is the low site, and frequency is f1 and f3 of L6G. Polarization is vertical.

(2) In this phase, a new hop of SDH microwave is to be established between A and D. Frequency still adopts f1 and f3 of L6G.

(3) For the sake of calculation, supposed the microwave antenna caliber of each site is Φ3.2m, feeder line length, tributary circuit loss and transmitting power are the same.

Specific microwave routes are as follows:


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Figure 8.5 Microwave route

A：Dayang B：Daju C：Daxiang Hill D：Maguan

Calculation:

(1) Supposed D is high site, since frequencies of the two hops are the same,

cross-station interference may be produced. Interfering paths are as follows:

Interference from A to C and that from C to A

Interference from B to D and that from D to B

Here, interference from B to D is calculated.

Figure 8.6 Interference—schematic map


Useful signals: fBrrtrttro LLLLGGPP −−+−++= )()(

Interference signals: fiBrrtrtiri LLLLGGPP −−+−++= '''' )()(

Carrier-interference ratio (carrier power at the input end of the

receiver/interference level): rir ppIC −= 0/

The feeder line length, tributary circuit loss, and transmitting power of the two routes are the same, thus,

fifrrttrir LLGGGGppIC +−−+−=−= )()(/ ''0


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If the polarization of the two microwave routes is the same, that is, from A to D, horizontal polarization is adopted,

The separation angle from the antenna of site B to that of site D is 0.25°, then, )(5.0)( ' dBiGG tt =−

The separation angle from the antenna of site D to that of site B is 42.6°, then, )(55)( ' dBiGG tt =−

(Note: antenna gain is determined by actual antenna direction map, if there is no direction map, you can predict it based on engineering calculation formula.)

Then: )(1.54)45.31/06.37log(*20555.0/ dBIC =−+=

For digital microwave relay communication line, since the propagation path of the useful signals and that of interference signal are different, when considering permitted C/I ratio, normally, lower fading margin of 40 dB should be reserved.

For the threshold C/I ratio (bit error rate is 10-4) of this microwave equipment is 26.8dB, then:

Co-polarization interference fading margin is: )(3.278.261.54 dB=−

The result indicates that the interference fading margin is inadequate.

From the previous calculation, you can see that if D is the high site, interference may be serious, and this solution is unacceptable.

In the same way, you can calculate the interference from C to A, from B to D and

that from D to B. The result still indicates that the interference is serious.

(2) Supposed D is low site, interference paths are as follows:

Interference from B to A

Interference from A to B

Interference from D to C

Interference from C to D


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Figure 8.7 Interference paths when D is the low site


Interference of each path is calculated as follows:

Table 8.4 Interference calculation list

Interference path 1 2 3 4

Description Interference from B to A

Interference from A to B

Interference from D to C

Interference from C to D

Front/Back ratio of receiving antenna: F/B(dB) 60 46 67 67

Front/Back ratio of transmitting antenna: F/B(dB) 46 60 28 28

Transmitting power difference (Pt-Pt’) (dB) Antenna gain difference (G-G’) (dB) Feeder line length difference (m) Feeder line loss difference (Lf- Lf’) (dB) Tributary circuit loss difference (dB) 20Log(D/D’) (dB) 3.27 2.20 27.90 28.97 Other loss (dB) D/U(dB) 102.73 103.80 67.10 66.03 C/N [ BER=10-4](dB) 26.8 26.8 26.8 26.8 Interference margin (dB) 75.93 77.00 40.30 39.23

From the table, when D is the low site, the interference from D to C is not so

serious, and the design requirement can be met.

In actual design, D is low site, and from D to A, horizontal polarization is

adopted.


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8.2.3 Calculation of PDH Microwave Circuit Indexes

Following examples describes the calculation of base access-layer PDH

microwave circuit indexes in mobile engineering design.

I. 8.2.3.1 Access-Layer Microwave Features

Base access microwave features:

(1) Site distance is short, generally, within 10 km

(2) Microwave band always adopts the upper band (such as 13 GHz, 15 GHz)

(3) Distance can be viewed, normally, electrical test and microwave profile are unnecessary, that is, path clearance needs not to be calculated

(4) Microwave transmission capacity is 1E1, 2E1, 4E1, 8E1 and 16E1

(5) Besides fading, unavailability index caused by rain fading also needs to be considered.

II. 8.2.3.2 Access Layer Microwave Frequency Polarization Configuration Principle and Calculation Basis

Frequency and Polarization Principle

(1) Frequency configuration normally adopts four-frequency system, and cross-station interference should be considered.

(2) Considering the influence of rain fading, for long-haul upper-band microwave,

vertical polarization is preferred.

Calculation Basis:

(1) Circuit index evaluate the circuit based on national standard.

(2) For microwave higher than 10 GHz, rain fading should be considered, and

for microwave lower than 10 GHz, rain fading is not considered.

(3) For small capacity digital microwave system used in base access, for the band is narrow and modulation is simple, frequency selective fading is not considered.

III. 8.2.3.3 Calculation of Access Layer Microwave Circuit Indexes

Known Conditions:

(1) Site distance is 10 km, microwave cross section is of type B, and it belongs to rain zone M

(2) Transmission capacity of microwave equipment is 4E1, and 13 GHz frequency band is adopted.


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(3) Main technical indexes of microwave equipment: antenna transmitting power is 18 dBm, and receiving threshold is -82 dBm.

(4) Major technical indexes of microwave antenna: Φ0.6m antenna gain is 35.3 dB, Φ1.2m antenna gain is 41.4 dB.

Calculation:

Calculation of Circuit Interruption Rate

(1) Calculation of free space transmission loss

( )[ ] ( )[ ] )(70.1285lg2013lg2044.92lg20lg2044.92 dBGHzfkmdL f =++=++=

(2) Receiving level of free space

For PDH microwave, the basic rules of selecting antenna is that fading margin of 35 dB should be reserved and normally, maximum receiving level is less than -30 dBm.

Based on this rule, caliber of microwave antenna of this hop is 0.6m, and the antenna gain is 39.7 dB.

Free space receiving level:

)(1.4070.1283.35218)( dBmLGGPP frttro −=−×+=−++=

(For transmitting power of PDH microwave provided by general factories is antenna mouth power, tributary circuit loss needs not be considered. And for IF cable is adopted, feeder line loss needs not be considered)

Flat fading margin:

)(9.41)82(1.40 dBPPF throd =−−−=−=

(3) Calculation of flat fading interruption rate (BER<10-3):

7109.41

8.15-10 1022.410513102.7510 −−−×=××××==

dFCB

e dKQfP

(4) Circuit index evaluation:

Circuit index of microwave of this hop is evaluated according to intermediate circuit. Permitted SES (bit error rate larger than 1×10-3)

6106.11250/%04.0 −×=× L can meet the requirement.

Calculation of Circuit Unavailability Index:

Circuit availability index is another important quality index of digital microwave relay communication system.

When estimating unavailability indexes, all factors should be included, that is, statistical predicted availability and accidental transient interruption, such as transient interruption of more than continuous 10 seconds caused by radio equipment, propagation, interference, power supply and human act. And


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unavailability of transient interruption caused by propagation and interference should occupy 1/3.

In actual engineering design, for microwave lower than 10 G band, system unavailability index is not considered, to improve the availability index of the system, standby channel can be set. For microwave higher than 10 G band, unavailability of transient interruption caused by rain fading, needs to be considered.

For rain zone M, 0.01% of 5min, raininess hmmR /6301.0 = .

0.01% of the time, path length reducing factor:

73.0)35/51/(1)35/1/(1)/1/(1 6315.015.00

01.0 =+=+=+= ×−×− eedddr R

For 13 GHz microwave, under vertical polarization, 0.01% of the year, exceeded rain fading rate RV is 2.76 dB/km. Under horizontal polarization, 0.01% of the

year, exceeded rain fading rate RV is 3.33dB/km.

Vertical polarization, 0.01% of the year, rain fading exceeded:

)(1.10573.076.201.0 dBdrVA R =××=××=

Horizontal polarization, 0.01% of the year, rain fading exceeded:

).(2.12573.033.301.0 dBdrVA R =××=××=

P% of the year, rain fading exceeded

(1) Vertical polarization

501.0

2 109.8086.0/))12.0/(lg(043.04546.0546.0(% −×=×××−+−= AFp d

(2) Horizontal polarization

401.0

2 1014.2086.0/))12.0/(lg(043.04546.0546.0(% −×=×××−+−= AFp d

Circuit unavailability index evaluation:

(1) Based on evaluation circuit index of intermediate circuit, unavailability index caused by propagation is 44 1067.6~1067.23/1250/%)5.0~%2.0( −− ××=× L . The design requirement can be met only when vertical polarization is adopted.

(2) Evaluate the circuit index based on assumed reference digital section type 3, the assumed reference digital section length is 50 km. Unavailability index caused by propagation is (%)1067.13/50/%05.0 3−×=× L , design requirement is met.

Have a think?


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(1) Design of route, site and antenna height in microwave engineering.

(2) Frequency selection and polarization configuration.

(3) Microwave circuit performance estimate methods

8.3 Conclusion

This chapter mainly describes microwave engineering design. First, it describes deign methods of route, site and antenna height, and then the microwave frequency selection and polarization configuration, last, microwave circuit performance estimate methods. After describing microwave engineering design methods, design example of microwave engineering is listed to help engineers have a further understanding about the design.

Chapter 9 Precautions in Engineering Design

　 Objectives:

To understand the overall requirement for microwave equipment layout

To learn the precautions in antenna installation

To know the craft requirement for tower

9.1 Equipment Layout

ODU and IDU (portable microwave equipment)

IDU is small in size, and IDU and ODU are connected by IF cable, they have no special requirement for installation. Normally, they can be installed in 19’ standard subrack, and one subrack can accommodate many sets of microwave equipment. If there is no 19’ standard subrack in the equipment room, to save cost, IDU can be installed into the subrack of equipment (such as transmission equipment subrack).

Trunk microwave (all-indoor microwave)

For feeder line adopts elliptical soft guide, curvature of the feeder turning point should meet the requirement of curvature radius. When installing equipment, try to reduce bends of the feeder line. Normally, the bending times should be less than two. At the same time, reserve vacancies for new microwave equipment in next expansion or installation.

Requirements for equipment room layout

(1) Convenient for maintenance, ensure safe operation, easy for construction, save installation materials and cost

(2) Tidy and well arranged


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(3) Reduce the length of feeder line, bends and twists

(4) Reserve vacancies for new microwave equipment of next installation on the equipment layout map based on actual needs.

9.2 Installation of Microwave Antenna

Microwave antenna can be installed on tower or the mast at the top of a building. When installing antenna onto a tower, a pole of φ114mm should be bound to the tower. When installing antenna onto a mast, if the caliber of microwave antenna is not more than 0.6m, the antenna can be installed on the same mast with the antenna of mobile station (microwave antenna should be installed on the upper mast), but the mast diameter should between 70mm and 114mm. if the microwave antenna caliber is larger than 0.6m, another mast of 114mm is needed. The mast should be connected closely to the beam on the top of the building.

When the antenna is mounted onto an independent mast on the top of a building, there should be a lighting rode on the top of the mast and the microwave antenna should be under 45° protection area of the lighting rode.

9.3 Process Requirement for the Tower

9.3.1 Process Requirement of New Established Tower

(1) Besides technical requirement, location and height of the tower should comply with relevant regulations of the Administration concerned, and sign signal should be made on the top of the tower.

(2) Structure of the tower should be favorable to the installation, commissioning and maintenance of the antenna and feeder, and an operation platform can be properly set on the tower body.

(3) Earthquake-proof design should comply with the national standard.

(4) When the tower is free of load, vertical lean of the centerline should not exceed 1/500 of the tower height.

(5) Under maximum external force, the angle that the maximum tower twist makes the microwave antenna beam deviated from the communication direction should not exceed 1/2 of the half-power angle (external force indicates the maximum wind speed in ten minutes, 10m above the ground, that occur every 30 years.)

(6) Structure of the tower, besides meeting the installation load requirement of the antenna recently mounted, should also meet the requirement of the antenna that will be mounted in the future.

(7) Anticorrosion duration of the tower should be more than 30 years.


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9.3.2 Orientation Requirement of Newly Established Tower

For newly established tower, before the construction of tower base, provide specific orientation to the construction contractor. Specific orientation should meet the following requirements:

(1) The separation angle between microwave communication zenith and the tower body should be within the range of 110°—160°.

(2) For the microwave with many directions, the orientation of the tower should be considered and make it meet the requirement of (1).

(3) Based on (1) and (2), try to control microwave antenna in different directions are installed on different rolled angle.

9.3.3 Requirement for Old Tower to be used

For the tower that is previously established, if new microwave antenna needs to be mounted on it, especially for the antenna with caliber larger than 2m, the construction contractor needs to entrust the original tower design institute to check the loading condition of the tower. If the tower cannot meet the load requirement, the original tower design institute needs to propose reconstruction scheme or suggestions.

Suggestions:

For original base tower, if caliber of microwave antenna is 2m, it is suggested that the antenna mounting height should not exceed 2/3 of the tower height. And if caliber of microwave antenna is 3.2m, it is suggested that the antenna mounting height should not exceed 1/2 of the tower height.

Have a think?


Requirement of the equipment layout in microwave engineering

Precautions in microwave antenna mounting

Process requirement of the tower

9.4 Conclusion

This chapter describes the requirements of equipment layout, microwave antenna mounting and the tower, and precautions in microwave engineering.

Digital Microwave Communication Principles V1.0

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