Aircom Connect 6.

0 Link Planner
BASIC EXPLANATION

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

Aircom Connect Link Planner is a graphical planning tool that provides support for microwave network . Planning is divided into two different categories : Point-to-Point Point-to-Multipoint

   

Link Planner is using two project database for the data: 1 Properties (sites) 2 Link (connection between different properties)


and some other database relates to the equipment

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

Database windows

Map

Connect Module

 

In order to use Link planner, you have to select the Connect module. After that you can start using the map or writing the database.

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

Interface command Network Design

This 2D View is the same used from RF planner for 2G and 3G plan and also the site database is the same!

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

INTERFACE COMMAND

Map visualization

Map managing

Selection

Search Drag Control Data types Open Legend Favorite selection Quick parameter display Create Vector Vector Manager

Zoom

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

NETWORK DESIGN
NE Creation
Add Network Element (MSC / BSC / Site ) Move Network Element Delete Network Element

Property Manager

Add Property Move Property Delete Property Candidates Manager RF Part

Link Manager

Add new link Remove Connection Point to Multipoint Hub manager

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

DATA TYPE

Height Data activation and definition

Clutter activation and definition

Filters activation and definition

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

DATABASE SELECTION

Inside the Database Menu you can select which Database you want (Sites and Link database) and filter manager (red ellipsoid)

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

Equipment SELECTION

In this Menu you can also define equipments and MW antennas (blue ellipsoid)

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

SITE DATABASE

General : Coordinates, Code and Name Status : flag selection Contacts : address , city Search Area : not used

In this field you can select which filter activate

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE
General : Coordinates, Code and Name, Flags Linkend Setting : All planning parameters like Radio eq. Frequency, Channel, Antenna definition Calculation : Setting for Model calculation Performance : Calculation result

In this field you can select which filter activate

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - GENERAL WINDOW -

Info : Coordinates, Code, Name and Los Info Status : flag selection Attachments : not used

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - LINKEND SETTING WINDOW / RADIO TAB -

In this Tab you have to define all equipment characteristics.

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - LINKEND SETTING WINDOW / FREQUENCY TAB -

In this Tab you have to define frequency channel and High / Low Selection Please note that the tool doesnt give any warning at this phase for H/L conflict

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - LINKEND SETTING WINDOW / ANTENNA TAB -

You have to add an antenna, to select which one to use, fix the height and check the polarisation. Please note that the tool doesnt link between the antenna the polarisation!

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - LINKEND SETTING WINDOW / FEEDERS TAB -

In this Tab you have to define the feeders (connectors or Wave guide)

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - CALCULATION WINDOW / PROPAG. PREDICTION TAB -

In this Tab you have to define which Method you use and relative parameters

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - CALCULATION WINDOW / RAINFALL TAB -

In this Tab you have to define the rain rate. You can select a rain zone or put manually the value.

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - PERFORMANCE WINDOW / LINK BUDGET TAB -

This tab shows the complete Link Budget.

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - PERFORMANCE WINDOW / FADE MARGIN TAB -

This tab shows the Fade margin study

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK DATABASE - PERFORMANCE WINDOW / AVAILABILITY TAB -

This tab shows the Reliability and Availability of the link

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

INTERFERENCE TOOL

If you want to have a level indication about the interference, you can use the wizard. Inside the Tools Menu you can select which tool you want use Select interference analysis -> Interference Wizard

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

INTERFERENCE TOOL

Calculate interference only for the link inside the 2D view Calculate interference only for the link inside a filter

Calculate interference only for the link indicated

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

INTERFERENCE TOOL

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

INTERFERENCE TOOL

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

INTERFERENCE TOOL

Carrier Level and Interference Level

Create an excel Report

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

Link Profile

To generate Link Profile

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

Link Profile

Give the antenna minimization height Show Reflections Show the Fresnel ellipsoid

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

LINK PROFILE REPORT

In this case we have also a Link Budget report. This Report give the principal info for the link.

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

REPORTING

With NAP Link Planner we are available a wizard reports tool in order to have reports for Link or site. For that we have to active the Reports menu (red ellipsoid) and select which type of report we want realize [database selection] (blue block).

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

REPORTING - LINK REPORT -

General Filter Selection

Area Field Selection

Report Generation

Aircom Connect 6.0 Link Planner

REPORTING - NODE REPORT -

General Filter Selection

Area Field Selection

Report Generation

Link Designing: Basis of Design Criterion

    

Choice of Radio Equipment Fresenel Zone Clearance Objective Availability / Reliability Objectives Interference degradation Objectives Tower Height & Loading Restrictions

Basis of Design Criterion

Link Design: The design of microwave links, involves three sets of calculations. Working out antenna heights for the link. K-factor is major dominant variable. Earth bulge. Fresnel zone radius. Actual obstructions on the route Path Loss Operating frequency. Path profile: it indicates the distance from one of the transmitter site where obstructions to the line of sight radio link may occur. The object of this calculation is to arrange tower heights along the entire route of the link, so that an obstruction in the path does not enter into the fresnel zone by a specified amount for a specified Kfactor used.

         

Basis of Design Criterion

To determine equipment and other parameters for each hop. Transmit power. Antenna type and gain. Transmission type. Other losses. (Absorption, Diffraction, Reflection or Scattering etc.) Maximum received power. Receiver threshold. This will decide the thermal fade margin, which we will be able to get for each hop. To determine the reliability of each hop and overall reliability of the link. Climatic factor. Terrain roughness. Average annual temperature Annual rain. This will decide, what is total expected outage time per annum for each hop as well as for the entire link.

             

Link Power Budget

 

   

Receiver Sensitivity: The lowest Possible signal which can be detected by receiver is called as Receiver Sensitivity or Threshold. This threshold value is manufacturer specific. Fading: Received Signal vary with time due to multipath fading and rain etc. Refractive index of atmosphere varies with Temp. humidity and pressure which in turn cause the electromagnetic waves to change direction. Another cause for Multipath fading is ground reflection. So a fade margin is built in Link Designing. Fade Margin: The fade margin is the power level, that, the unfaded received signal can fall to until it reaches the receiver threshold. This margin will vary depending on geographic and climatic conditions of different geographic areas and desired reliability of the system. Higher Fade Margin provides better link reliability. Typically it is 35-40 dB. Fade Margin dB=Prx-Pthresh Signal to Noise Ratio: Its the minimum power difference between the wanted received signal and received noise. Signal/Noise Ratio (dB)=10 log10 (Signal Power/Noise Power) Typically it is > 50 dB, logically it should be more than the Fade Margin, so that it is always below the threshold level.

Link Power Budget Formula

Received Signal Level = Rxl

RxlB = TxA LA + GA Fl + GB LB
Where TXA = Trans Power Station A LA = Losses at Station A (Misc.) GA = Antenna Gain at Station A Fl = Free Space Losses GB = Antenna Gain at Station B LB = Losses at Station B RxlB = Rx. Level at Station B

RXL must be > Receiver Sensitivity always

Important Formula


Free space losses

L fs ! 92.45  20 log(d f )
d = distance in kilometers f = frequency in GHz

Basic Loss Formula

Propagation Loss
P 2 P R ! PT  G  ( 4Td )


  

d = distance between Tx and Rx antenna [meter] PT = transmit power [mW] PR = receive power [mW] G = antennae gain

Fading

Phenomenon of Attenuation of Signal Due to Atmospheric and Propagation Conditions is called Fading Fading can occur due to  Refractions  Reflections  Atmospheric Anomalies

Fading

Types of Fading  Multipath Fading  Frequency Selective Fading  Rain Fading

Multipath Fading

Multipath fading is caused due to reflected / refracted signals arriving at receiver



Reflected Signals arrive with  Delay



Phase Shift

Result in degradation of intended Signal Space Diversity Radio Configuration is used to Counter Multipath Fading

Frequency Selective Fading

Frequency Selective Fading  Due to Atmospheric anomalies different frequencies undergo different attenuation levels  Frequency Diversity Radio Configuration is used to Counter Frequency Selective Fading

Rain Fading

 

Frequency Band > 10 GHz are affected due to Rain as Droplet size is comparable to Wavelengths Rain Fading Occur over and above Multipath and Frequency Selective Fading Horizontal Polarization is more prone to Rain Fades Path Diversity / Route Diversity is the only counter measure for Rain Fade

Drop Shape and Polarization

As raindrops increase in size, they get more extended in the Horizontal direction, and therefore will attenuate horizontal polarization more than vertical polarization

1mm

1.5mm

2.0mm

2.5mm

Link Engineering Interference

Counter Measures  Avoid Hi-Lo violation in loop  Frequency Discrimination  Polarization Discrimination  Angular Discrimination  High Performance Antennae  Lower Transmit Power , if possible

PtP Microwave Transmission - Issues

Link Performance is Seriously Affected due to  Atmospheric Anomalies like Ducting  Ground Reflections  Selective Fading  Excessive Rains  Interferences  Thunderstorms / High Winds causing Antenna Misalignment  Earthing  Equipment Failure

Thank You !