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GSM Network Basics
An Introduction to GSM Networks



TRANSMISSION PLANNING

FRESNEL ZONE
The line of site condition must be there to correct operation of a microwave link. The
area that the signal spreads out from line of site is called the Fresnel zone. If there is
an obstacle in the Fresnel zone, part of the radio signal will be diffracted or bent away
from the straight-line path. The practical effect is that on a point-to-point radio link,
this refraction will reduce the amount of RF energy reaching the receive antenna. The
thickness or radius of the Fresnel zone depends on the frequency of the signal the
higher the frequency, the smaller the Fresnel zone.
Microwave lin
The radius of the Fresnel zone can be calculated by the formula bellow.
F
n
= The n
th
Fresnel Zone radius in meter
d
1
= The distance of P from one end in meter
d
2
= The distance of P from the other end in meter
= The wavelength of the transmitted signal in meter
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.
FREE SPACE LOSS
As signals spread out from a radiating source, the energy is spread out over a larger
surface area. As this occurs, the strength of that signal gets weaker. Free space loss
(FSL), measured in dB specifies how much the signal has weakened over a given
distance.
FSL = 92.4 + 20 log10 D + 20 log10 F
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FSL = Free Space Loss in dB
D = Path Length in kilometers
F = Radio Frequency in Gigahertz
LINK BUDGET
Link budget is the itemized list of all system losses and gains in dB from the transmitter
on one end to the receiver at the other end.
Radio path link budget
FADING AND FADE MARGINS
Multipath Fading is the dominant fading mechanism for frequencies lower than 10GHz.
A reflected wave causes a multipath, i.e. when a reflected wave reaches the receiver
as the direct wave that travels in a straight line from the transmitter. As a thumb rule,
multipath fading, for radio links having bandwidths less than 40MHz and path lengths
less than 30Km is described as flat instead of frequency selective.
Flat fading
A fade where all frequencies in the channel are equally affected called Flat fading.
There is barely noticeable variation of the amplitude of the signal across the channel
bandwidth.
Frequency-selective fading
In Frequency-selective fading there are amplitude and group delay distortions across
the channel bandwidth.
Rain fading
Rain attenuates the signal caused by the scattering and absorption of electromagnetic
waves by rain drops and it is significant for long paths (>10Km). Vertical polarization
is far less susceptible to rainfall attenuation than are horizontal polarization
frequencies.
Fade margin
Fade margin is the difference (measured in dB) between the nominal signal level
received at one end of a radio link and the signal level required by that radio to
assure that a packet of data is decoded without error. In other words, fade margin is
the difference between the signal received and the radios specified receivers
sensitivity. (Figure 11.3)
Fade margin = Signal level received Sensitivity of the receiver
ADDING REDUNDANCY

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ADDING REDUNDANCY
There are two modes of system installations that are widely used; protected and
unprotected systems.

Unprotected system

In the unprotected system theres only one ODU and due to any reason if a unit fails the
communication will fail.

Protected system
Here there are two ODUs. While in operation only one ODU is performing the
transmission while other one always keeps track of the operating one and both do the
receiving. At any instant if the active transmitter faces any problem, the other one will
detect that and will automatically take over the functioning in a smooth manner. For
critical links this configuration will ensure a more reliable performance.

ADDING DIVERSITY
There are 2 diversity methods are basically used in the microwave links, Space
diversity and Frequency diversity to improve the availability of the link.
Space diversity
This configuration caters the problems that can occur due to multi path fading. Here
the receiving end has two antennas. When a signal is being sent from another station,
it is being received from both the antennas and automatically one signal is taken in
for processing. The best one is chosen based on BER and signal strength
measurements.

System with space diversity
Frequency Diversity
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Frequency Diversity
This configuration caters the problems that can occur due to interferences. Here the
receiver as well as the transmitter is dual systems, I.e. they can operate in two
frequencies. At any instance only one frequency is actively operating while the other
is in a stand-by mode. At any instance if the receiving signals quality fades then the
receiving end informs the transmitter about the issue and both switches to the other
frequency.

System with frequency diversity



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Chathuranga Perera,
Electrical Engineer
Ceylon Electricity Board