This document provides instructions for a lab experiment on point-to-point microwave link planning. Students will use an online link calculator to design 4 case studies of hypothetical microwave links, calculating link parameters theoretically first and then verifying results with the simulator. For each case study, groups will develop a point-to-point link design and report their observations. The goal is for students to learn about designing microwave links and analyzing link performance practically.
This document provides instructions for a lab experiment on point-to-point microwave link planning. Students will use an online link calculator to design 4 case studies of hypothetical microwave links, calculating link parameters theoretically first and then verifying results with the simulator. For each case study, groups will develop a point-to-point link design and report their observations. The goal is for students to learn about designing microwave links and analyzing link performance practically.
This document provides instructions for a lab experiment on point-to-point microwave link planning. Students will use an online link calculator to design 4 case studies of hypothetical microwave links, calculating link parameters theoretically first and then verifying results with the simulator. For each case study, groups will develop a point-to-point link design and report their observations. The goal is for students to learn about designing microwave links and analyzing link performance practically.
This document provides instructions for a lab experiment on point-to-point microwave link planning. Students will use an online link calculator to design 4 case studies of hypothetical microwave links, calculating link parameters theoretically first and then verifying results with the simulator. For each case study, groups will develop a point-to-point link design and report their observations. The goal is for students to learn about designing microwave links and analyzing link performance practically.
Name: ________________________________________________ Roll No: _______________
Score: ____________Signature of the Lab Tutor: _______________ Date: _________________
Point to Point Microwave Link Planning
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE Upon successful completion this experiment, the student will be able to learn:
1. Design Considerations of Point to Point Microwave Link.
2. Practical Analysis of Point to Point Microwave Link.
Discussion:
LigoWaves link calculator is a link planning tool available online at
http://www.ligowave.com/linkcalc/. The link calculator allows LigoPTP users to calculate link performance expectations taking into account geographical information, distance between the units, antenna height and gain, transmit power, and other factors. In this section describes creating a link calculation of a simple Point to Point wireless setup. We will enter radio, antenna, and location information of both ends of the link, and the calculator will generate a report describing the feasibility of the link.
Main Features:
LigoWave Link calculator has following main features:
It Estimates PTP location, antenna heights and gains, foliage depth, rain rate, frequency, polarization. Actually this tool computes the signal propagation according to the particular area. Its free, Easy and enables quick planning; Support of PTP (Point to Point) and PTMP (Point to Multipoint) mode;
Free online application and can be used with all wireless equipment; DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, JAMSHORO MICROWAVE ENGINEERING PRACTICAL (2nd Term, 4th Year) Lab Experiment # 1/2
Has integration with Google maps;
Allows storing, downloading and publishing data about the links online.
PDF results can even be used by installation teams!
Design Steps:
1) To use the LigoWave Link Calculator to estimate link possibilities (it can be found on LigoWave website http://www.ligowave.com/linkcalc/) DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, JAMSHORO MICROWAVE ENGINEERING PRACTICAL (2nd Term, 4th Year) Lab Experiment # 1/3
2) After logging in, the Input Parameters section will be displayed
3) Fill the following field
Enter the Name of each site Select the radio type (if available) for each side. This will automatically fill in the frequency; transmit power, and antenna gain of the radio. If not available, select Custom Enter Longitude / Latitude for each location Enter the Height (Above Ground Level) for each antenna Enter the antenna gain (if not populated when selecting Radio Type) Enter the transmit power (if not populated when selecting Radio Type) Enter the RX Threshold (the minimum receive signal level the link will work with) DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, JAMSHORO MICROWAVE ENGINEERING PRACTICAL (2nd Term, 4th Year) Lab Experiment # 1/4
Enter the frequency of the radio (if not populated when selecting Radio Type) Choose Polarization of the antenna Enter any additional loss (cable losss, etc) Choose Site Climate Select unit of measurement (English vs Metric) Enter the ITU Rain Rate
4) Click the Calculate Link button to display results and after a few moments, the results of the link calculation will be displayed
Analysis:
In the result trace generated, you will see:
Total Path Loss How much signal has been loss due to distance & obstructions Signal Level at the RX site the expected signal level you should receive if antennas are aligned properly EIRP Displays the EIRP of the current transmitter and antenna DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, JAMSHORO MICROWAVE ENGINEERING PRACTICAL (2nd Term, 4th Year) Lab Experiment # 1/5
Thermal fade margin The difference between the expected signal level and the minimum RX Threshold o Thermal fade margin shows what the signal spare was before connectivity is lost. It is calculated as difference between received signal level at the input and receivers threshold expressed in dBm (TFM = RSL TH). o Its recommended to have thermal fade margin value For frequencies below 10 GHz --- 10 dBm For frequencies below 10 GHz --- 15 dBm Distance Between Sites (in km or miles) Link availability due to rain Based on the ITU rain rate previously entered, this will tell you the link availability due to expected rain fade Download Report Generates a downloadable / printable PDF report of the link results
There is also a graphical representation of the link and any natural obstacles that may be obstructing the path. The green area represents any mountains or hills that may occur along the path of the link.
There are also three lines that compose the RF link.
The orange line is the Line of Sight path, a straight line directly between radios The blue line represents 60% of the Fresnel zone. If this is obstructed, you will probably have problems with your link (lower signal, packet loss, etc) The purple line represents the Fresnel zone. If there are obstructions in this path, it may have an impact on the reliability / performance of the link. DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, JAMSHORO MICROWAVE ENGINEERING PRACTICAL (2nd Term, 4th Year) Lab Experiment # 1/6
LAB TASK Every section will make groups. Each group shall have maximum 6 students and minimum 5. Every group will develop 4 case studies. Make sure every case study should be different and not resemble with other groups. o Case studies Explore addition features i-e when you log in, at the top the of calculator there is a tab of view ptmp (point to multipoint) mode and view ptp (point to point) mode. Design your link accordingly! Miss-matching the antenna heights Trying different polarization Swapping the Tx and Rx site, keeping the parameters same Verifying the parameters calculated on paper(through calculator) with the simulator Trying different frequencies Trying different equipment In every single case study, each group have to develop a point to point link, the parameters that will be placed shall be calculated in theory first. The parameters can be measured o Through following links http://www.afar.net/fresnel-zone-calculator/ http://www.afar.net/rf-link-budget-calculator/ http://www.afar.net/tutorials/ Try to verify the results with the online simulator. Report shall comprise of following things o 4 case studies, with its observations DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, JAMSHORO MICROWAVE ENGINEERING PRACTICAL (2nd Term, 4th Year) Lab Experiment # 1/7
o Calculation of Fresnel zone and antenna heights and other parameters
(Tx power, Rx power and etc)
Note: In completing this task i-e calculation of different parameters, Wireless
Communication by Rappaport will help. Go through the solved problems.
I am trying to develop a more detailed tutorial that shall be completed by Monday.
