Microwave

Full course at
[Link]

TELCOMA
Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
Introduction

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● What is Microwave?
● EM spectrum
● Microwave frequency bands
● Evolution of Microwave Communication
● Difference between RF and Microwave signals
● Use of Microwaves

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave:
Microwave are type of EM radiations having higher frequency.

Micro means ‘small’ and waves means ‘signal’.

Frequency range: 300 MHz to 300 GHz. (include UHF and EHF band)

Wavelength range: 100 cm to 0.1 cm

In RF engineering, Microwave are used between the frequency range of 1

GHz (30 cm) to 100 GHz (0.3 cm)

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

EM Spectrum:
Name Wavelength Frequency (Hz)

Gamma ray < 0.02 nm > 15 EHz

X-ray 0.01 nm – 10 nm 30 EHz – 30 PHz
Ultraviolet 10 nm – 400 nm 30 PHz – 750 THz
Visible light 390 nm – 750 nm 770 THz – 400 THz
Infrared 750 nm – 1 mm 400 THz – 300 GHz
Microwave 1 mm – 1 m 300 GHz – 300 MHz
Radio 1 mm – 100 km 300 GHz – 3 kHz

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave:
The range of frequencies are defined by IEEE , NATO and ITU designations
in bands:

Band Frequency Wavelength

L band 1 to 2 GHz 15 cm to 30 cm
S band 2 to 4 GHz 7.5 cm to 15 cm
C band 4 to 8 GHz 3.75 cm to 7.5 cm
X band 8 to 12 GHz 25 mm to 37.5 cm
Ku band 12 to 18 GHz 16.7 mm to 25 mm
K band 18 to 26.5 GHz 11.3 mm to 16.7 mm

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave:
Band Frequency Wavelength
Ka band 26.5 to 40 GHz 5.0 mm to 11.3 mm
Q band 33 to 50 GHz 6.0 mm to 9.0 mm
U band 40 to 60 GHz 5.0 mm to 7.5 mm
V band 50 to 75 GHz 4.0 mm to 6.0 mm
W band 75 to 110 GHz 2.7 mm to 4.0 mm
F band 90 to 110 GHz 2.1 mm to 3.3 mm
D band 110 to 170 GHz 1.8 mm to 2.7 mm

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Evolution of microwave communication:
1. 1930 - Connected U.K. with france using microwave signal
2. 1950 - AT&T use 10 channels of microwave radio relay system in U.S.
- Television broadcasting on microwave network.
3. 1980 - used in RF system to carry high traffic demand
- provide long haul communication

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Difference:
1. Microwave is just a subset of the RF range
2. RF covers 3 Hz to 300 GHz while Microwaves occupies the higher
frequencies at 300MHz to 3GHz
3. RF are commonly used for AM/FM transmission while Microwaves are
used in wider applications like heating and high-bandwidth data
transmission systems
4. Microwaves also used for transmitting power from one point to
another

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Uses:
1. Communication Purposes
2. Navigation
3. In Radar system
4. Radio astronomy
5. Heating Application
6. Spectroscopy

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave
Signals

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Microwave measurement Unit
● Modes of Transmission

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Measurement
Unit: Microwave frequency are
measured using:
1. Electronics Technique
1. Electronic techniques:

2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Measurement
Unit: Microwave frequency are
measured using:
2. Mechanical Technique
1. Electronic techniques:

2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Measurement Unit:
● Hertz: A measurement of signals electromagnetic frequency
expressed as number of cycle per second (kHz, MHz, GHz, THz, EHz).
● Frequency: The rate of wave oscillation, measured in hertz.
● Amplitude: The strength and power level of wave.
● Phase: The particular point in the power of waveform, measured in
degree.
● Polarisation: The orientation of the electric field driving the wave.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Modes of Transmission:
Microwave Transmission:

When microwaves are used to send and receive information then it is

known as microwave transmission.

Information may consist of voice, data, television, telephony or radio

signals.

Microwaves are also emitted by natural objects and from space.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Modes of Transmission:
Modes of Transmission of microwave signal:

● Guided medium such as a transmission line (cable or waveguide)

● Unguided medium (plane waves in free space and through the
atmosphere)

Common options include twisted-pair copper cable, coaxial cable and

fiber-optic cable.

MW transmission is a best solution where cost, capacity, flexibility and

timing all intersect.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Microwave Waveguide
● Features
● Modes of Propagation
● Types of Waveguide
● Advantage and disadvantage of waveguide

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
Microwave frequency are
A Hollow metallic tube of uniform measured using:
cross section for transmitting 1. Electronic techniques:
electromagnetic waves by
successive reflections from the
inner wall of the tube is called
waveguide. 2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
Features of waveguide:

● It consists of rectangular or cylindrical metal tube or pipe.

● The EM field propagates lengthwise.
● It is often used with horn antenna and dish antenna.
● Clean and dry waveguide interior give low loss and high efficiency
transmission.
● Waveguide are made of copper and aluminium.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
Microwave frequency are
An EM field can propagate along a measured using:
waveguide in various modes: 1. Electronic techniques:
1. Transverse-magnetic (TM)
mode
2. Transverse-electric (TE)
2. Mechanical techniques:
mode.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
The electric and magnetic fields associated with the signal bounce off the
inside walls back and forth as it goes down the waveguide.

Wavepath of waves in waveguide various at various frequencies such as:

● At high frequency
● At medium frequency
● At low frequency
● At cut-off frequency

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
Microwave frequency are
Types of waveguides: measured using:

1. Rectangular waveguide 1. Electronic techniques:

2. Circular waveguide

2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
Advantages of Waveguides:

● Propagation with lower loss.

● Good amount of immunity against any RF interference.
● Higher power handling capacity.
● Lower attenuation at cutoff wavelength.
● Easy to install in a microwave transmission systems

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
Disadvantages of Waveguide:

● Not operate at lower frequencies due to increased dimensions.

● Very bulky
● Not flexible in nature.
● Supports narrow band of operation.
● TEM mode of propagation is not possible.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

 Elliptical
Waveguide

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Elliptical Waveguide
● Construction
● Connector
● Flanges
● Transition Point
● Pressure Window
● Gaskets

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Elliptical Waveguide:
Elliptical Waveguide is most suitable for microwave systems transmission
line operating between 1.7 GHz and 23.6 GHz.

Features of Elliptical waveguide

1. Elliptical cross section - minimizing VSWR and eliminate signal

distortion.
2. Lowest loss optimization in significant user bands.
3. Elliptical waveguide attenuation is less than rectangular waveguide
4. Have high signal transfer and excellent system performance.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Elliptical Waveguide:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Elliptical Waveguide:
Construction: Formed of

● Corrugated high-conductivity copper

● Outer jacket - Rugged black polyethylene material (waterproofing and
UV stabilization)
● Operating waveguide temperature low as -54°C (-65°F),
● Has an elliptical cross section (high strength and flexibility)
● light weight.
● Waveguide Pressurization (prevent moisture from getting inside and
attenuating the signal)

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
Flexible waveguide:

Used to eliminate vibration and also reduce installation difficulties.

Flex twists are made of helically-wound waveguide core supported by

protective neoprene jacketing.

Rectangular Waveguide:

Rigid waveguide used at final assembly point in the equipment rooms,

connecting to the radios.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Connector:
Connectors:

It is made of brass and passed through multiple steps of transition to

get in shape decided acc to industrial standards waveguide flanges.

Each connector has a pressure inlet to allow the connection of

pressurization equipment.

They have long service life and compatibility with the metals used in
the waveguide .

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide:
Microwave frequency are
measured using:
1. Electronic techniques:
● Connector

2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Flanges:
Flanges are used at a point where waveguide is connected to antenna.

Types of Flanges:

1. PBR flanges
2. PDR
3. CPR G
4. UG choke cover

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Transition Point:
Waveguide to coaxial cable Microwave frequency are
transitions point is a point where measured using:
rectangular waveguide interface 1. Electronic techniques:
is connected to a coaxial cable
flange interface.

2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Termination Load:
These are used when polarization Microwave frequency are
ports of a polarized antenna are measured using:
not currently in use. 1. Electronic techniques:
For Long-Haul microwave
antenna it is made of ferrites.

For short-haul microwave antenna 2. Mechanical techniques:

it is made of rubber absorber
material

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Pressure Window:
It is used for separation between Microwave frequency are
the components that require measured using:
pressurization and which do not 1. Electronic techniques:
require.

Installed at the equipment room

and to end of the feeder line.
2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Gaskets:
Gaskets are present throughout Microwave frequency are
the systems wherever measured using:
pressurization is required. 1. Electronic techniques:
Full or half gaskets are used in
flange mating combinations,
2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

 Waveguide
Pressurization

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● What is Waveguide Pressurization
● Methods of Pressurization
● Nitrogen Tanks
● Heat Regeneration Dehydrator
● Membrane Dehydrator

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide Pressurization:
Pressurization is the method of applying positive pressure in the form of
dry air or nitrogen to elliptical waveguide

It is used to prevent the introduction of humidity or moisture that affect the

signal transmission.

Amount of pressure applied to waveguide is calculated by using its length

and cross sectional area.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide Pressurization:
Inside waveguide this positive pressure is kept below the maximum
pressure rating.

Most components are rated up to 70 kPa

Pressurization of only 3.5 to 35 kPa (0.5 to 5 PSI) is generally used .

Waveguide is pressurized to keep it dry lowers the maintenance costs and

reduces service interruptions.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide Pressurization Methods:
1. Static Pressurisation Method:
● In a non pressurized system, breathing static desiccator is used.
● The desiccator have short lifespan and it require periodically
replacement.
● Air is forced out through desiccator, when breathing increase the
pressure.
● New air enters through the desiccator,when breathing decreases
the pressure,
● In this way moisture is absorb before it enters the waveguide.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide Pressurization Methods:
2. Dynamic Pressurization Methods:
● A dynamic system remains connected to a pressurization pump so
it provide additional dry gas.
● This method is used to maintain a specified pressure level.
● The nitrogen gas is stored in a tank with a regulator or
dehydrators.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Waveguide Pressurization Methods:
Nitrogen tanks:

● Are small, tight systems with no ac power and no moving parts

● Provide a low dew point to kept out moisture.
● Disadvantage: Relatively high cost and the frequency

Heat regeneration dehydrators:

● Used in small to medium-sized systems require low pressure and

low power
● Continuously monitor system pressure using an integrated
controller and adjust the air pumps appropriately.
Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
Waveguide Pressurization Methods:
Membrane Dehydrators:

● Designed for low to high system volumes and for distant remote
site locations.
● Use a membrane filtration system to remove moisture from the air.
● Operate continuously to monitor system pressure

These system include basic alarm functions which will alert the operators
about low pressure, excess runtime, humidity and power failure problems.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

 LOS

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Line of sight Transmission
● Operating Frequencies
● Modulation Techniques

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Line of sight Transmission:
Microwaves are transmitted using Point-to-point radio links.

It is also known as Line of Sight communication.

Features:

● Low cost.
● Use highly focused line of sight beam
● Ease of installation.
● Not need to deploy expensive cables.
● Highly directional antennas such as parabolic dishes are used.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Line of Sight
Transmission
Microwave frequency are
A parabolic dishes have a measured using:
reflective surface. 1. Electronic techniques:
It is used to collect or project
energy such as light, sound, or
radio waves.
2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Line of sight Transmission:
Operating Frequencies:

1. Lower frequencies (≤11 GHz) :

It can propagate over a long distances with larger long-haul antennas.

2. Higher frequencies (>11 GHz):

It can propagate over lesser distances via smaller short-haul antennas.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Line of sight Transmission:
Microwave signal use two type of modulation technique:

1. Frequency-division duplex (FDD): Each hop is allocated a frequency

channel pair known as a uplink/downlink pair. This provide
simultaneous transmission in both directions across the link.
2. Time-division duplex (TDD): Use one channel to achieve two-way
communication by synchronized selection of the direction of
transmission.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave
Antennas

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● What is Antenna?
● Antenna Parameters
● Types of Antennas

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:
An antenna is a transducer that converts radio frequency (RF) fields into
alternating current or vice versa.

Antennas are used for both sending or receiving radio transmissions.

Above 3 GHz dish antennas are used whereas below 3 GHz other type of
antennas are used.

Uses: wireless local area networks, mobile telephony and satellite

communication.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:
Parameters associated with antennas are:
● Operating Frequency : Frequency bands and channels are
defined by ITU.
● Radiation Patterns : In frequency congestion period, it describe
the capability of antenna to differentiate the unwanted signal.
● Gain : measures antenna directivity and electrical efficiency
● Half Power beamwidth : refers to the peak effective radiated
power of the main lobe.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:
Parameters associated with antennas are:
● Polarization: about orientation of electric field that drive the signal
(Horizontal or vertical).
● Inter Port isolation: isolation of multi port antenna from each
other.
● Front to back ratio: Ratio of signal strength transmitted in a
forward direction to that transmitted in a backward direction.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:
Parameters associated with antennas are:
● Cross Polar Discrimination: Ability to maintain radiated or
received polarization purity between horizontally and vertically
polarized signals.
● VSWR: indicates the value of mismatch between an antenna and
feed-line connected to it.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:
Types of Antennas:
1. Horn Antenna
2. Parabolic Antenna
3. Slot Antenna
4. Dipole Antenna
5. Dielectric Resonator Antenna
6. Array Antenna

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:

Horn Antenna: Microwave frequency are

measured using:
● Consist of flaring metal
1. Electronic techniques:
waveguide shaped like a
horn.
● It direct radio waves in the
form of beam. 2. Mechanical techniques:
● Commonly used at UHF.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:

Parabolic Antenna: Microwave frequency are

measured using:
● Consist of curved surface
1. Electronic techniques:
with the cross-sectional
wave of parabola.
● Well known as reflector
antenna. 2. Mechanical techniques:
● Have high directivity.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:

Slot Antenna: Microwave frequency are

measured using:
● Consist of metal surface,
1. Electronic techniques:
usually a flat plate with one
or more holes or slots cut
out.
● Used at microwave and 2. Mechanical techniques:
UHF

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:

Dipole Antenna: Microwave frequency are

measured using:
● Consist of two identical
1. Electronic techniques:
conductive elements such
as metal wire and rods.
● Widely used antenna.
2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:

Dielectric Resonator Antenna: Microwave frequency are

measured using:
● Consist of block of ceramic
1. Electronic techniques:
material of various shape.
● The dielectric resonator is
mounted on a metal
surface, on ground plane. 2. Mechanical techniques:
● Widely used at microwave
and higher frequency.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antennas:

Array Antenna: Microwave frequency are

measured using:
● Multiple antennas are
1. Electronic techniques:
connected that worked as
single antenna.
● It transmit and receive
radio waves. 2. Mechanical techniques:
● Feedline is connected to
provide power to each
element.
Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
 Microwave
Propagation

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Antenna Radiation Pattern
● Microwave Propagation
● Microwave antenna infrastructure

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Radiation Pattern:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Radiation Pattern:
Types of Antenna Radiation Pattern:

1. Isotropic Radiation
2. Omnidirectional Radiation
3. Directional Radiation

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave
Propagation:
Cause of interference: Microwave frequency are
measured using:
● Weather condition such as
Rain, hail, snow, fog etc. 1. Electronic techniques:

● Extremely high temperature.

● Strong dangerous high winds.
2. Mechanical techniques:
● Exposure to lightning strikes.
● Adjacent-link interference in
low LOS clearance.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Propagation:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Propagation:
Microwave Transmission at Low frequency:

● Low frequency transmission transmit upto distance 50 km (30 miles).

● These waves can reflect off of the ionosphere and the surface,
multiple times.
● A system known as Adaptive Transmit Power Control (ATPC).
● ATPC is used to adjusts power levels to compensate for link
hindrances.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Propagation:
Microwave Transmission at Higher frequency:

At higher frequencies (> 11 GHz):

Rain and other weather conditions create big problem such as

scattering of signals.

1. One method: Change in the link’s length can be done using ATPC.
2. Another method: Signal polarization that is the orientation of the
signal’s wave relative to the ground either Vertically or Horizontally.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Propagation:
Microwave Transmission at Higher frequency:

● Horizontal Polarisation: adversely affected by rainfall due to the

shape of the falling raindrops
● Vertical Polarization: is likely affected by rainfall so it is a better
choice for link planning.
● Cross Polar Interference Cancellers (XPIC): used with sample signals
in both polarizations to cancel any interference in signals.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Propagation:
Microwave Transmission at Higher frequency:

● Adaptive Modulation: also reduce atmospheric attenuation by

allowing the signal to increase and decrease the modulation to adapt
to changing environmental conditions.
● Multi-Hop Topology: is the arrangements of links in the network.
Mesh and ring topologies provide alternative paths that help to
maintain the optimal connectivity.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Propagation:
Microwave Transmission at much higher frequency:

At frequency of 60 GHz (mmW), Fog become a threat factor in signal

propagation.

Effect to microwave link: Drop in air temperature in case if any water

vapor is present in transmission lines it will condensed to form liquid
droplet in waveguide giving same effects as rain in a link.

Solution: waveguides are filled with pressurized dry air or nitrogen to keep
the moisture out.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Antenna Infrastructure:
Effect of weather condition on hardware part of microwave antenna:

Building up of snow and ice over the antenna structure account in the
increase weight on the tower

Solutions:

● Antennas are fitted with protective covers or radomes,

● Ice shields are also used to prevent antenna damage from ice.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Antenna Infrastructure:
To cope with increasing demand of wireless technology, there is a
constant pressure on microwave backhaul for:

● Increasing capacity
● enhancing reliability
● low capital cost
● Less Operating costs

Return on Investment (ROI) is a term that define the balance between cost
and performance of antenna structure.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Installation Factor
of
Antenna

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Selection Procedure
● Total antenna deployment cost

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Selection steps:
How to make selection of microwave antenna?

● Determine radio congestion in the area

● Link’s capacity
● Physical access to the site for installation purpose
● Easy commissioning and maintenance of site
● Low installation budget and TCO targets
● Weather conditions in the area
● Space available on tower for antenna installation

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Selection steps:
Detailed RF analysis and planning include:

● Antenna type, and size

● Range: km to 4 m
● Operation frequency bands: 3 GHz to 90 GHz.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Total Antenna deployment Cost:
1. Shipping Cost of microwave antenna is high and it is more prone to
damage while transportation.

Solution: use small antennas, split-reflector antennas

2. Large microwave antennas are difficult to Install and sourcing of

materials from multiple manufacturers create installation errors.

Solution: buy products from a quality vendor who provide full

assistance in installation and maintenance purpose

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Total Antenna deployment Cost:
3. Downtime in link lead to loss of traffic that account in overall profit.
Passing this traffic to other Frequent site further add to operational
costs.

Solution: A high-performance and durable antenna with long lifetime

and simple installation.

4. Investment in buying spectrum to meet future need.

Solution: usage of dual-polarized antenna over single polarized

antenna. It have double capacity handling power.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave
Radiation
Pattern

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Regulation Agreements
● Capacity Formula
● Methods to improve C/I ratio
● Advantages of Low side lobes
● Radiation Pattern Envelope

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Radiation Pattern:
Regulation Agreement:

Better network performance, better TCO and better implementation of

regulation is accomplished by

● Higher-quality antennas
● RPE characteristics

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Radiation Pattern:
Parameters:

● Carrier Power: The amount of energy received in point to point

communication is called the received signal level (RSL) or carrier
power (C).
● Interference (I): loss in transmitted energy.

Shannon’s Law tells the relationship between capacity and signal noise.

Capacity = B x Log2 (1 + C/(N + I) )

C/I ratios is critical to link planning and design

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
Microwave Radiation Pattern:
How to improve C/I ratio?

● Method 1: Increase value of C

● Method 2: Decrease value of I

Method 1 : Accomplished by enhancing transmission power and Increasing

gain with a bigger antenna.

Method 2: Use different frequency and different link path. Deploying

antenna with smaller side lobes.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Radiation Pattern:
Advantages of maintaining Low side lobes:

● Higher modulation schemes efficient usage

● Increase the link capacity
● Smaller antenna sizes reduce project cost
● Simplified end point coordination and planning
● Less maintenance is required
● Greater spectrum reuse

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Radiation Pattern:
Radiation Pattern Envelope:

It is the way of antenna to radiates signal energy in different directions

and the area around the radiation pattern is called radiation pattern
envelope (RPE).

Indicate the distance and direction for efficient propagation of signals.

The specification of antennas are used by operators before deploying

in network

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

 Antenna
Tilting Method

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● What is antenna tilt?
● Type of antenna Tilting
● Antenna radiation without tilting
● Methods of tilting
● Mechanical tilting
● Electrical tilting
● RET

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Tilting:
Microwave frequency are
measured using:
1. Electronic techniques:
The tilt represents the inclination
or angle of the antenna to its axis.

2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Tilting:
Two type of antenna tilting:

● Downtilt: is when the antenna is tilted down and is most commonly

used.
● Uptilt: is If the inclination is up and rarely used.

Uses of antenna tilting:

● To Reduce interference
● Increase coverage in some specific areas

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Tilting:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Tilting:
Antenna tilting method:
● Electrical Tilt: This modification is obtained by changing the
characteristics of signal phase of each element of the antenna.
● Mechanical Tilt: Tilting the antenna, through specific accessories
on its bracket, without changing the phase of the input signal.
Both of the methods are applied together

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Tilting:
Microwave frequency are
● Mechanical Tilting measured using:
● With the mechanical tilt, the 1. Electronic techniques:
coverage area is reduced in
central direction, but the
coverage area in side
directions are increased. 2. Mechanical techniques:

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Tilting:
Microwave frequency are
● Electrical Tilting measured using:
● With the electrical tilt, the
1. Electronic techniques:
coverage area suffers a
uniform reduction in the
direction of the antenna
azimuth, that is, the gain is 2. Mechanical techniques:
reduced uniformly.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Tilting:
Electrical Tilting:
● The electrical tilt can have a fixed or variable value.
● It is adjusted through an accessory such as a rod or bolt with markings.
This adjustment can be either manual or remote (Remote Electrical
Tilt)
● RET is a small engine connected to the screw stem/regulator that
does the job of adjusting the tilt.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Antenna Tilting:
Remote Electrical tilting:

It is a remote control machine of tower mounted telecommunication

equipment.

It optimize the network in real time, save time and cost of visiting also

No specialized manpower or equipment needed.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

 Microwave
Link
Components

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Microwave link
● Microwave Radio unit
● Microwave Transmission Line
● Microwave Antenna
● Microwave Losses

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave link:
The length of microwave link depends on:

● The size of the antennas

● Antenna heights
● Allocated frequency to antennas
● Presence of obstacles such as buildings, trees, mountains or tall
objects.

Practically, Range of microwave lies between 1 km (about 0.6 miles) and

100 km (about 60 miles) in length.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave link:
Microwave communication system basic building blocks:

● Radio Transmitter
● Microwave Antenna
● Transmission Line

The microwave radio transmitter is connected to a directional antenna via

a transmission line.

The Transmitting antenna is aligned with a distant receiving antenna,

which is connected to a radio receiver.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Radio Unit:
Radio Unit:

● It have both transmission (TX) and receiving (RX) capabilities.

● Power usage: about 1 watt of power or less at 30 dBm.
● Throughput range: 100 and 300 Mbps
● Bandwidth :50 MHz (modulation technique)
● Modulation schemes: QPSK (loworder ) to 2048 QAM
(higher-order).
● Adaptive modulation mostly used to equalized the reliability as
well as throughput.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Transmission Line:
Transmission lines:

Physical media connecting the radio unit and directional antenna

● Coaxial Cable : suitable at frequencies > 2 GHz.

● Waveguide : suitable at higher frequencies.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Antenna:
The antenna:

● Microwave system use directional antenna having shape of parabolic.

● Focus greater power in single beam
● According to the feed connection the antennas are vertically or
horizontally polarized

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Losses:
Path Loss: Cause due to various factors:

● Free space path loss (FSPL).

● Atmospheric absorption
● Diffraction.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Losses:
Path Reliability: also known as path availability

The path loss caused by the poor weather conditions and reflections or
refraction, multipath fading make transmission and reception of signal
unsuccessful.

Factor affecting the Path Reliability are:

● Longer Microwave link length

● Area such as flat or terrain surface
● Extremely Hot climates
● More frequent rainfalls
Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
Microwave Losses:
Improvement of Path Performance is done by

● Enhancing transmission power

● Reduction in transmission lines losses
● Enlarging antenna size

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Losses:
Path Reliability Requirement:

● Five nines (99.999 %) is the standard for most wireless operators with 5
minute of downtime per year,
● some applications demand even greater availability such as six nines
(99.9999 percent) with 30 seconds of downtime per year.
● Some applications such as email or web page downloads require
99.995 percent availability, with 53 minutes of downtime per year.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Designing
Microwave
Link

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Microwave Link design steps

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Designing Microwave Link:
Designing the microwave link involves four basic steps:

1. Nominal Design
2. Path Survey
3. Final Design
4. Frequency Planning and Licensing

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Designing Microwave Link:
1. Nominal Design : This step involves:
● Set design guidelines
● Get reading of maximum antenna heights for each site
● Layout of network routing
● Analysing the capacity requirements for the link.

Once an initial routing is determined,

● Select appropriate frequency band acc. to path length and the

design guidelines.
● use a link design tool to confirm clear LOS along the path.
Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
Designing Microwave Link:
2. Path survey:
● Visit the decided site
● Calculate the link’s Endpoint coordinates and Ground elevation.
● Analyse site parameters such as electrical power availability and
accessibility
● Take photograph of the site to specify required antenna space
● Find the presence of obstacles and their dimensions
● Calculate the antenna height with clear LOS

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Designing Microwave Link:
3. Final design:
● Use data from both previous steps and design a link site
● Decide the particular use of radio equipment
● Define antenna size, mounting height and type of transmission
lines
● Finalized the site
● Further check link site for reliability, clearance and capacity.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Designing Microwave Link:
3. Final design: Parameters include:
● End point Coordinate and Ground elevations
● Radio transmit power
● Transmission losses and Receive losses
● Antenna Model
● Cell Pattern information
● Filtering information
● Frequency allocation
● Polarization

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Designing Microwave Link:
4. Frequency planning and licencing: involves the selection of
● Specific frequencies within the band
● Decide Antenna polarizations
● Complete licensing as per regulation
● Detailed interference analysis
● Frequency reuse

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Designing Microwave Link:
Total cost of ownership (TCO): describe the calculation of total costs in an
antenna deployment,

This include

● Purchase price of antenna

● Power energy requirement
● Installation and Maintenance costs
● Time expenditure
● Labour cost

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Environmental factor
affecting
Microwave Signals

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Wind
● Temperature
● Snowfall
● Corrosion
● UV Radiation

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Mean Velocity Wind:
Wind load:

The amount of force encounter by an exposed microwave structure

due to high speed winds at some height and terrain locations.

Wind load can be calculated using three methods:

1. Numerical simulation of the wind flow

2. Wind tunnel testing
3. Calculation according to standards

Wind Load will increase dramatically at greater height.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
Gusty Wind:
Gust Prone area is the area between the two tall buildings, mountain
passes and cliff tops.

This create a funnel forming a high speed wind in particular area

These gusts increase winds up to 50 percent above their mean speeds.

Site location investigation include weather report from international and

national meteorologist bodies, local weather report agency and report of
residents acc to their experience.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Light Winds:
Wind Vibrations:

It is caused when the frequency of antenna structure match

approximate frequency(8 Hz) of light wind flowing around.

It affect the structural material of tower as well reduce the operating

life of antenna.

Solution: Strut is a stiffening arm installed with a large antenna to

improve its stability, accuracy and wind survivability.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Temperature:
Extremely High Temperature: Affect the propagation of radiation and
increased signal loss.

Low Temperature: Convert the water vapours into liquid droplet, change
signal polarisation in waveguide.

Waveguide must installed and operate in dry condition.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Snowfall:
Snowfall will cause the building up of ice over the antenna

Due to high humid area the antennas are more prone to this effect.

Antennas and their mounts are designed to bear the weight of ice.

But sometimes this ice obstructs the antenna’s LOS path.

Solution:

● Flexible fabric radomes provide self shedding

● Rigid planar radomes for smaller antennas.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Corrosion:
The condition that account in the corrosion of antenna structural materials
are:

● Airborne salt cause corrosion in sea side antenna installed.

● Pollution from vehicle exhaust in densely populated area corrosion
effect.
● In industrial areas, presence of high concentrations of corrosive
chemicals in air release by factories, refineries or other sources.

Reduced by using special coating material on antenna as well as over

add-on equipment.
Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
UV Radiation:
Expose of microwave antenna to sunlight make it prone to this hazard.

Component made of non-UV-resistant plastic will degrade with UV rays.

Microwave antenna manufacturers specify UV-resistant materials in their

products.

They als verify the performance of antenna through rigorous testing.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave System
Installation

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● Steps to install microwave system

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Installation:
Steps taken prior the installation of microwave system:

1. Available space for installing tower

2. Fine tuning measurement
3. Rough idea for the orientation of antenna
4. Presence of Clear LOS
5. Find perfect location for strut deployment
6. Find strut vendor-specific tolerance.
7. No turns or bends more than flexibility of the co-cable or waveguide
8. Allowance for potential movement during the alignment process.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Installation:
1. Assembly and lifting of Antennas:
● First challenge is Tower mounting.
● Unpacking and assembling a microwave antenna
● Read manufacturer instructions carefully to assemble and lift it.
● Non-specified lifting point will damage the antenna.
● side struts should be installed with great care.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Installation:
2. Connecting transmission lines:
● Install transmission lines without kinking or damage it.
● Specifications regarding allowable twist degrees per foot or meter
of length to waveguide and feeder cable.
● After making connection, test the VSWR/return loss.
● Install all electrical grounding connections.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Microwave Installation:
3. Alignment:

Alignment of two antennas properly is done by analysing:

● Size and frequency parameters of the antenna

● Distance between two antennas
● Clear LOS path between end points
● Proper calculation of signal strength to confirm alignment.
● Troubleshoot the system and provide fine tuning.

The technician uses a map, compass and GPS data to align the
antenna.
Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved
Microwave Installation:
4. Final step:
● After antenna alignment completed, properly calibrate the torque
wrench to fully tighten all adjusting hardware to the torque values
specified on the manufacturer’s instructions.
● Pressurize elliptical waveguide and antenna feed systems as soon
as possible
● Finally, complete the commissioning documentation and keep site
secure and tidy by removing all rubbish and packaging materials.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Millimeter Waves

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Content:
● What is mm Waves?
● Mm Waves Bands
● Limitation
● Advantages and Requirements

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Millimeter microwave (mm Wave):
Microwaves with short wavelengths of 1 to 10 millimeters.

High frequencies up to 300 GHz

Advantage: Offer an efficient and high capacity for microwave links.

In telecommunications, millimeter wave is used for a variety of services on

mobile and wireless networks.

It can provide higher data rates up to 10 Gbps.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Millimeter microwave (mm Wave):
There are two bands used in LOS link applications:

● E-band : 10 GHz Spectrum

Range: 71 GHz to 76 GHz and 81 GHz to 86 GHz
Used for Microwave Backhaul.
● V-band : 8 GHz Spectrum
Range: 57 GHz to 64 GHz
Used for point to point microwave link

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Millimeter microwave (mm Wave):
Limitation:

V-band frequencies are readily absorbed by oxygen in the atmosphere, so

link lengths are restricted to about one kilometer or less

E-band does not absorb by oxygen it can be used for a link of several
kilometers long.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved

Millimeter microwave (mm Wave):
● Narrow beams minimize the risk of interference at congested link area
● Accessible in location where fiber cannot be installed.
● mmWave antennas support increasing capacity options like dual
polarization with the efficient integrated radio configurations.
● This high capacity, high-reuse scheme gives mmWave systems high
TCO value.
● Antennas built at high quality standards for high performance and
capacity.
● Easy and inexpensive to license.

Copyright © TELCOMA. All Rights Reserved