CHAPTER 1

Background of the Design

Introduction
A microwave link is a communications system that uses a beam of radio waves in

the microwave frequency range to transmit information between two fixed locations

on the earth. They are crucial to many forms of communication and impact a broad

range of industries. Broadcasters use microwave links to send programs from the

studio to the transmitter location, which might be miles away. Microwave links carry

cellular telephone calls between cell sites. Wireless Internet service providers use

microwave links to provide their clients with high-speed Internet access without the

need for cable connections. Telephone companies transmit calls between

switching centers over microwave links, although fairly recently they have been

largely supplanted by fiber-optic cables. Companies and government agencies use

them to provide communications networks between nearby facilities within an

organization, such as a company with several buildings within a city.

One of the reasons microwave links are so adaptable is that they are broadband.

That means they can move large amounts of information at high speeds. Another

important quality of microwave links is that they require no equipment or facilities

between the two terminal points, so installing a microwave link is often faster and

less costly than a cable connection.

Finally, they can be used almost anywhere, as long as the distance to be spanned

is within the operating range of the equipment and there is clear path (that is, no
solid obstacles) between the locations. Microwaves are also able to penetrate rain,

fog, and snow, which means bad weather doesn’t disrupt transmission.

A simple one-way microwave link includes four major elements: a transmitter, a

receiver, transmission lines, and antennas. These basic components exist in every

radio communications system, including cellular telephones, two-way radios,

wireless networks, and commercial broadcasting. But the technology used in

microwave links differs markedly from that used at the lower frequencies (longer

wavelengths) in the radio spectrum. Techniques and components that work well at

low frequencies are not useable at the higher frequencies (shorter wavelengths)

used in microwave links. For example, ordinary wires and cables function poorly

as conductors of microwave signals. On the other hand, microwave frequencies

allow engineers to take advantage of certain principles that are impractical to apply

at lower frequencies. One example is the use of a parabolic or “dish” antenna to

focus a microwave radio beam. Such antennas can be designed to operate at

much lower frequencies, but they would be too large to be economical for most

purposes.

The process takes place at close to the speed of light, so transmission is virtually

instantaneous even across long distances. With all of their advantages, microwave

links are certain to be important building blocks of the world’s communications

infrastructure for years to come.

SYSTEM CALCULATIONS
Earth Bulge
𝑑1𝑑2
𝐸𝑏 = 12.75 𝐾

Where: Eb = earth bulge, km

d1 and d2 = distance, km

k = 4/3

Total Obstruction

Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

Where: Ho’ = total obstruction, m

Eb = earth bulge, m

Eo = elevation, m

tg = trees growth, m

Fresnel Zone

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
𝐹1 = 17.3 𝑥 √ 𝑓𝐷

Where: F1 = 1st Fresnel Zone, m

d1 and d2 = distance, km

f = operating frequency, GHz

D = total distance, km

Fresnel Clearance

Fa = (FF)(F1)
 Where: Fa = Fresnel Clearance
FF = Fresnel Factor
F1 = 1st Fresnel Zone

Computing For Total Height

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
𝐹𝑎 = = ℎ1 − ℎ𝑜′
𝐷

Where: Fa = Fresnel Clearance

d1 and d2 = distance, km
D = total distance, km
Ho’ = total obstruction, m
h1 and h2 = total height, m

HOP 1.
@ 1026 Meter Obstruction

(𝑑1)(𝑑2) (5.33)(19.67) = 5.898 m

a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 6.17 m For h2:

b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg
𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
= 6.17 + 1000 + 20 Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

= 1026.17 5.33(ℎ2−ℎ1)
5.898m = = h1 – ho’
25
(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √ 5.33(ℎ2−ℎ1)
𝑓𝐷 5.898 – h1 + ho’ =
25
(5.33)(19.67)
= 17.3 √ (5.898 – 80 + 1026.17)25 = 25(h2) –
(13)(25)
25(80)
= 9.83 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1) Assuming h1 = 80m

= (0.6)(9.83) 25(h2) = 23801.7 + 2000

h2 = 1032.05m

HOP 2.

@ 450 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (0.65)(23.85)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 0.91 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 0.91 + 430 + 20

= 450.91

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(0.65)(23.85)
= 17.3 √
(13)(24.5)
= 3.82 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(3.82)

= 2.29 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

0.65(ℎ2−ℎ1)
2.29m = = h1 – ho’
24.5

0.65(ℎ2−ℎ1)
2.29 – h1 + ho’ =
24.5

(2.29 – 1032.05 + 450.91)24.5 = 24.5(h2) – 24.5(1032.05)

Assuming h1 = 1032.05m

24.5(h2) = -14181.825 +25285.225

h2 = 453.2m

HOP 3.

@ 575 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (12.65)(7.35)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 5.47 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 5.47 + 550 + 20

= 575.47

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(12.65)(7.35)
= 17.3 √
(13)(20)
= 10.35 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(10.35)

= 6.21 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

12.65(ℎ2−ℎ1)
6.21m = = h1 – ho’
20

12.65(ℎ2−ℎ1)
6.21 – h1 + ho’ =
20

(6.21 – 453.2 + 575.47)20 = 20(h2) – 20(453.2)

Assuming h1 = 453.2m

20(h2) = 2569.6 + 9064

h2 = 581.68m

HOP 4.

@ 525 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (6.95)(13.05)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 5.34 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 5.34 + 500 + 20

= 525.34

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(6.95)(13.05)
= 17.3 √
(13)(20)
= 10.22 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(10.22)

= 6.13 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

6.95(ℎ2−ℎ1)
6.13m = = h1 – ho’
20

6.95(ℎ2−ℎ1)
6.13 – h1 + ho’ =
20

(6.13 – 581.68 + 525.34)20 = 20(h2) – 20(581.68)

Assuming h1 = 581.68m

20(h2) = -1004.2 + 11633.6

h2 = 531.47m

HOP 5.

@ 721 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (2.625)(12.375)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 1.91 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 1.91 + 700 + 20

= 721.91

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(2.625)(12.375)
= 17.3 √
(13)(15)
= 7.06 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(7.06)

= 4.24 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

2.625(ℎ2−ℎ1)
4.24m = = h1 – ho’
15

2.625(ℎ2−ℎ1)
4.24 – h1 + ho’ =
15

(4.24 – 531.47 + 721.91)15 = 15(h2) – 15(531.47)

Assuming h1 = 531.47m

15(h2) = 2920.2 + 7972.05

h2 = 726.15m

HOP 6.

@ 1026 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (6.875)(0.75)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 0.3 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 0.3 + 1000 + 20

= 1020.3

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(6.875)(0.75)
= 17.3 √
(13)(7.625)
= 3.95 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(3.95)

= 2.37 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

6.875(ℎ2−ℎ1)
2.37m = = h1 – ho’
7.625

6.875(ℎ2−ℎ1)
2.37 – h1 + ho’ =
7.625

(2.37 – 726.15 + 1020.3)7.625 = 7.625(h2) – 7.625(726.15)

Assuming h1 = 726.15m

7.625(h2) = 2260.965 + 5536.89

h2 = 1022.67m

HOP 7.

@ 821 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (3.25)(9.125)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 1.74 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 1.74 + 800 + 20

= 821.74

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(3.25)(9.125)
= 17.3 √
(13)(12.375)
= 7.43 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(7.43)

= 4.46 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

3.25(ℎ2−ℎ1)
4.46m = = h1 – ho’
12.375

3.25(ℎ2−ℎ1)
4.46 – h1 + ho’ =
12.375

(4.46 – 1022.67 + 821.74)12.375 = 12.375(h2) – 12.375(1022.67)

Assuming h1 = 1022.67m

12.375(h2) = -2431.32 + 12655.54

h2 = 826.2m

HOP 8.

@ 420 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (13.125)(0.75)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 0.58 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 0.58 + 400 + 20

= 420.58

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(13.125)(0.75)
= 17.3 √
(13)(13.875)
= 4.04 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(4.04)

= 2.42 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

13.125(ℎ2−ℎ1)
2.42m = = h1 – ho’
13.875

13.125(ℎ2−ℎ1)
2.42 – h1 + ho’ =
13.875

(2.42 – 826.2 + 420.58)13.875 = 13.875(h2) – 13.875(826.2)

Assuming h1 = 826.2m

13.875(h2) = -5594.4 + 11463.525

h2 = 423m

HOP 9.

@ 520 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (2.375)(3.75)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 0.52 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 0.52 + 500 + 20

= 520.52

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(2.375)(3.75)
= 17.3 √
(13)(6.125)
= 5.79 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(5.79)

= 3.47 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

2.375(ℎ2−ℎ1)
3.47m = = h1 – ho’
6.125

2.375(ℎ2−ℎ1)
3.47 – h1 + ho’ =
6.125

(3.47 – 423 + 520.52)6.125 = 6.125(h2) – 6.125(423)

Assuming h1 = 423m

6.125(h2) = 618.56 + 2590.875

h2 = 523.99m

HOP 10.

@ 221 Meter Obstruction

 (𝑑1)(𝑑2) (1.3125)(13.6875)
a. Eb = =
(12.75)(𝐾) (12.75)(4⁄3)

Eb = 1.06 m
b. Ho’ = Eb + Eo + tg

= 1.06 + 200 + 20

= 221.06

(𝑑1)(𝑑2)
c. F1 = 17.3 √
𝑓𝐷

(1.3125)(13.6875)
= 17.3 √
(13)(15)
= 5.25 m
d. Fa = (0.6)(F1)

= (0.6)(5.25)

= 3.15 m

For h2:

𝑑1(ℎ2−ℎ1)
Fa = = h1 – ho’
𝐷

1.3125(ℎ2−ℎ1)
3.15m = = h1 – ho’
15

1.3125(ℎ2−ℎ1)
3.15 – h1 + ho’ =
15

(3.15 – 523.99 + 221.06)15 = 15(h2) – 15(523.99)

Assuming h1 = 523.99m

15(h2) = -4496.7 + 7859.85

h2 = 224.21m