Microwave Radio Link Design Guide

Microwave Radio Link Design Guide
Terrestrial (wireless) radio links are in wide use in the data transfer applications, such as remote
control and monitoring of various types of equipment, including control commands and replies
delivery, status monitoring of the equipment, video surveillance (live photo/video streaming),
etc. The use of the terrestrial radio links significantly reduces cost of new installations, compared
to any types of wired setups (coaxial, twisted pair, fiber optics). The general limitation of the
terrestrial radio links is caused by the fact that such links are microwave links. Microwave radio
link operates on frequencies of several gigahertz. This gives the possibility to use wider spectra
(the bandwidth of the signal is wider, thus the data rates can be very high), but, it also make it
possible to operate such links only if a direct visibility between both sites exist (both Tx and Rx
are within Radio Line of Sight (RLOS)). Thus, if cites have no direct visibility between each
other, such link cannot be developed and other options should to be evaluated (leased services,
such as telephone lines or wired data links, VSAT satellite services or even installation of
dedicated wired line). Another drawback of microwave terrestrial is the availability problem: in
general, the availability of the radio link is lower compared to wired links.
Designing of a microwave radio link begins with the evaluation of the possibility to get an RLOS
with the use of reasonably high antenna masts. If such possibility exists, then the next step is the
link budget calculations. Properly calculated link budget allows to minimize the down time of a
link, thus its availability increases.
Radio Link Budged calculations

1. Under unfaded conditions (within RLOS), the received power can be calculated as shown
below. Please note that the actual received power level can be weaker under various fading
conditions, such as rain, show, sand storm, etc (these are not included in the step 1).
PRx_nom= EIRP - FSL - Aa + GRx – Rxbranch [dBm]
where: EIRP, dBm – is an Effective Isotropic Radiated Power, is the total power that
would have to be radiated by a hypothetical isotropic antenna to give the same
signal strength as the actual source in the direction of the antenna's strongest
beam
FSL, dB – is a Free Space Loss, is the power loss of the radio signal that
would have to be if link is operating in the free space (vacuum).
Aa, dB – Atmospheric attenuation. It takes into account power loss due to
atmospheric gasses attenuation (Oxygen and Water vapors). See ITU P.676.1
GRx, dB – receiving antenna Gain. See appropriate equipment’s data sheet.
Rxbranch – is a loss in the Receiving feeder cable. See appropriate
equipment’s data sheet. NOTE: Rxbranch value can be already taken into account in
the Receivertreshold value if the antenna has an integrated Low Noise Amplifier
(LNA)
EIRP= Txout - Txbranch + GTx [dBm]
where: Txout, dBm – Transmitter power, in dBm. See appropriate equipment’s
data sheet.
Txbranch, dB – loss in the Transmitting feeder cable. See appropriate
equipment’s data sheet. NOTE: Txbranch value can be already taken into
account in the Transmitter power value if the antenna has integrated
Power Amplifier (PA)
GTx, dBi – transmitting antenna gain. See appropriate equipment’s
data sheet.
FSL= 92.4 + 20log(d) + 20log(f) [dB]
where: d, km – distance between transmitting and receiving antennas
f, GHz – carrier frequency
2. Find the Fade Margin (FM). The difference between the nominal receive level PRx_nom and the
receiver threshold level (minimum signal required for the demodulator to work at a specific error
rate) is referred as fade margin.
FM= PRx_nom - PRx_threshold [dB]
where: PRx_nom , dBm – received power under nominal (unfaded) conditions
PRx_threshold, dBm – minimum signal required for the demodulator to work at a
specific error rate
3. Reliability of the Link: additional attenuation can occur as a result of absorption and scattering
by such hydrometeors as rain, snow, hail and fog (sandstorm typically is not considered, because
its impact has not been fully studied by the ITU).
The path attenuation that corresponds to a rainfall rate that is only exceeded for 0.01% of the
time (less than our per year) is expressed as:
A0.01%= R × d × r [dB]
where: R ,dB/km – the specific attenuation due to rain [dB/km]
d, km – distance between transmitting and receiving antennas
r – distance factor
R= k × R
where: k and a – regression constants. See ITU-R P.838
r= 1/(1 + d/d0 ) = 1/(1 + d/(35 × e −0.015 × R_0.01%) )
where: d, km – distance between transmitting and receiving antennas
d0 = 35 × e −0.015 × R_0.01%
R_0.01%, mm/h – rain rate (rainfall intensity) exceeded 0.01% of time.
See ITU-R P.837.1
4. Planning criteria for path clearance (Antenna height planning): diffraction theory indicates that
the direct path between the transmitter and the receiver needs a clearance above ground of at
least 60% of the radius of the first Fresnel zone to achieve free-space propagation conditions.
The radius of the first Fresnel (F1) ellipsoid given by the formula:
F1= 17.3 × ((d1×d2) / ((d1+d2) ×f))0.5 [m]
where: f, GHz – carrier frequency
d1, km – distance from Tx antenna to a possible obstacle
d2, km – distance from Rx antenna to a possible obstacle
Real-World Link Design example
Assuming required 100 Mbps radio link from university building at lomonosova iela 1A/1 to
university building at paula valdena iela 1.
Assuming that we bought a license for the carrier frequency of 15GHz with 28 MHz allocated
bandwidth.
Assuming cites equipment: two Interga G systems with 0.3 m antennas
https://www.saftehnika.com/en/integrag .
1. Find the nominal received power PRx_nom
Initial preparations: find all required parameters:
1. Path length = 4.8 km ; obtained from terrestrial map,
for example: http://karte.lgia.gov.lv/ tool Palīgŗīķi -> Mērīt
2. Frequency (f) vs Bandwidth (BW): f = 15 GHz with BW = 28 MHz; (f and BW has been
specified in the license from the local authorities (VAS elektroniskie sakari
https://www.vases.lv/lv )
3. Data rate: Maximum data rate depends of the selected frequency, channel bandwidth
and modulation scheme. Since f = 15 GHz, BW = 28 MHz and required data rate is
>=100 Mbps, then the modulation scheme should be at least 64QAM (obtained from the
equipments’ “Integra Series” data sheet)
4. Maximum Radiated Power depends on the selected frequency and modulations scheme,
as well includes loss in the feeders = Txout - Txbranch = +17 dBm @ 15GHz @64QAM
(obtained from the “Integra Series” data sheet).
5. Antenna gain = 32.1 dBi @ 0.3m antenna size @ 15 GHz (obtained from the “Integra
Series” data sheet)
6. Receiver threshold = -75 dBm @ 15GHz @ 28MHz BW @ 64QAM (obtained from the
“Integra Series” data sheet)
7. Atmospheric Attenuation (Specific Attenuation) depends on the selected frequency and is
specified in the ITU-R P.676 = 0.05 dB/km @ 15GHz. Hence for the 4.8 km long path it
will be: Aa=0.05×4.8=0.24 dB
Calculations:
FSL= 92.4 + 20log(d) + 20log(f) = 92.4 + 20log4.8 + 20log15 = 92.4 + 13.6 + 23.5 = 129.5 dB
EIRP= Txout - Txbranch + GTx = 17 – 0 +32.1 = 49.1 dBm (Txbranch = 0 because Tx power in the
data sheet already takes into account these losses)
RSL=PRx_nom= EIRP - FSL - Aa + GRx – Rxbranch = 49.1 – 129.5 – 0.24 + 32.1 – 0 = -48.5 dBm
(Rxbranch is 0 as this parameter is already included in the received threshold, specified in the data
sheet)
2. Find the Fade Margin (FM).
FM= RSL - PRx_threshold = -48.5 – (-75) = 26.5 [dB]

NOTE: The Fade Margin (FM) should not be less than 20 dB. Increase transmitter power or
antenna size if FM < 20 dB.
NOTE: Received Signal Level (RSL) should not be greater than -30 dBm. Decrease transmitter
power or antenna size if RSL= PRx_nom > -30dBm.
3. Check reliability of the Link due to rain attenuation for the availability of 99.99%.
Initial preparations: find all required parameters:

1. R rain rate (rainfall intensity) is defined in the ITU-R P.837.1. To find R do the
following: (1) specify rainzone by using charts in the P.837.1 ; (2) find R for the desired
rainzone and required probability (percentage of time): The rainzone= E , hence R_0.01% =
22 mm/h.
2. k and a regression coefficients are defined in the ITU-R P.838. Ignoring polarization of
the antennas (by taking average values of v and h), at 15 GHz:
k=AVRG(0.04481;0.05008)= 0.04745 , a=AVRG(1.1233; 1.0440)=1.08365.
Calculations:
r= 1/(1 + d/d0 ) = 1/(1 + d/(35 × e −0.015 × R_0.01%) )= 1/(1 + 4.8/(35 × e −0.015 × 22)= 0.8398
A0.01%= R × d × r = k × R × d × r = 0.04745 × 221.08365 × 4.8 × 0.8398 = 5.45 [dB]

Check that the Fade Margin (FM) still is within the acceptable limits:
FM= RSL - A0.01% - PRx_threshold = -48.5 – 5.45 – (-75) = 21.1 [dB]
NOTE: The Fade Margin (FM) should not be less than 20 dB. If not, the transmitter power or
antenna size should be increased, otherwise the link availability will be less than 99.99% due to
rain with high intensity.
4. Check your results. Go to page https://saftehnika.com/en/pathcalculator Registration is not

mandatory, but only registered users may save the results in the calculator. Enter your data and
compare your results with calculated in the calculator. Note: increase antenna heights as
necessary in order to keep 1st Fresnel Zone (F1) empty from any interfering objects! Put even
several kilometers height (doesn’t matter).
5. Check that the 1st Fresnel Zone (F1) of the path profile is free from interfering objects.
Assuming an obstacle near to the line of sight between two antennas at a distance of 2 km from
the transmitting antenna.
F1= 17.3 × ((d1×d2) / ((d1+d2) × f))0.5 = 17.3 × SQRT(2×(4.8 - 2)/((2 + 4.8 - 2) × 15))= 4.83[m]
NOTE: at least 60% of F1 zone must be clear from any obstacles; increase antenna height if it is
not so.
NOTE: if at least 60% of F1 zone is not clear, then the diffraction loss should to be considered
too: Ad= -20h/F1 + 10 [dB], where h is the height difference [m] between most significant path
blockage and the path trajectory (h is negative if the top of the obstruction of interest is above the
virtual line-of-sight) and F1 is the radius of the first Fresnel ellipsoid (see ITU-R P.530 for more
details).
The evaluation of the clearance between F1 zone and the Earth curvature requires curvature of
the Earth surface in the given region. Go to https://saftehnika.com/en/pathcalculator in order use
Earth profile from the calculator. Adjust heights of antennas as necessary in order to ensure that
at least 60% of F1 is free from any obstacles.
Since the height of the Building on Lomonosova is 20 m and the antenna is planned to be
installed on the roof of the boilding, the height of the antenna is 20 m. In a similar way we got 15
m height of the antenna on paula valdena.
As can be seen, at least 60% of F1 (inner red loop) is free from any interfering objects (actually,
whole F1 is free from any interfering objects). Therefore, antennas can be installed on the roofs
of both buildings without the use of any masts.

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Microwave Radio Link Design Guide

Radio Link Budged calculations

2. Find the Fade Margin (FM).

FM= RSL - PRx_threshold = -48.5 – (-75) = 26.5 [dB]

Initial preparations: find all required parameters:

A0.01%= R × d × r = k × R × d × r = 0.04745 × 221.08365 × 4.8 × 0.8398 = 5.45 [dB]

4. Check your results. Go to page https://saftehnika.com/en/pathcalculator Registration is not

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