PATHLOSS GUIDELINES

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I. GUIDELINES IN PREPARATION OF PATH PROFILE

A. REQUIREMENTS

1. PathLoss Tool User must be familiar with the basic microwave transmission
concept.

2. PathLoss Tool User must be provided with site information such as Site Name &
Site Coordinates, together with link propagation criteria (i.e. K-factor & Fresnel
Zone Criteria) that is being followed by the end-user/customer.

B. PROCEDURE

1. From the Summary Module, input the Site Name and Site Coordinates of both
stations.
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** In case of Multiple links, Site Name and Coordinates can be entered on the
Site List from the Grid Module.

2. Generate the path profile from the Terrain Data Module by clicking generate
profile button. Be sure to set the primary terrain data and its directory first
before generating the profile.
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**Be sure to set the primary terrain data and its directory first before generating
the profile.
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3. In cases where additional vegetation or building is needed, input the

corresponding data on the terrain data sheet.
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4. Assign antenna heights for both stations on the Antenna Height Module. Be sure
to consider tower height and loading for existing station when assigning the
antenna height.
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5. Counter-check the visual display of the profile on the Print Profile Module.

6. In case of obstruction, adjust the tower height on one station accordingly until
the desired clearance is achieved.
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II. GUIDELINES IN PREPARATION OF LINK BUDGET

A. REQUIREMENTS

1. PathLoss Tool User must be provided with the following information:

- Region (North, Center or South)

- Site Names / Site Codes
- Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude)
- Radio Capacity (2E1, 4E1, 8E1,16E1 or STM1)
- Radio Configuration (Unprotected or Protected)
- Building Height (if roof-mounted)
- Tower Height
- Antenna Height
- Antenna Type (Andrew, RFS or other)
- Frequency Band to be Used
- Approved Frequency Channel to be used
- For Protected Configuration using 2-Antenna System, type of RF Cable (Low
Loss Cable) or Waveguide to be used.

2. PathLoss Tool User must be provided with the required availability criteria for
each link as well as desired fade margin and other design factors if necessary.

** Example for Pakistan Project: Link Availability (at least 99.999%) and Fade
Margin (30dB for SDH and 35dB for PDH).

B. PROCEDURE

1. From the Summary Module, input the Site Name and Site Coordinates of both
stations.

2. Input the frequency band to be used on the frequency potion on the Summary
Module.
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3. Generate the path profile from the Terrain Data Module by clicking generate
profile button. Be sure to set the primary terrain data and its directory first
before generating the profile (see Procedure No.2, Path Profile Guidelines).

4. Assign antenna heights for both stations on the Antenna Height Module. Be sure
to consider tower height and loading for existing station when assigning the
antenna height (see Procedure No.3, Path Profile Guidelines).

5. From the Worksheet Module, perform the following items.

a). Assign the corresponding Rain Region based from ITU Standard.

** ITU has designated Rain Region N for Luzon and some portion Visayas
while Rain Region P for Mindanao and rest of Visayas.
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b). Select the Antenna Polarization to be used.

c). Select the Antenna Type to be used. Click both to apply to both station the
selected antenna type.

**Antenna type to be selected must be applicable on the same frequency

band that will be used.
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d). From the equipment list, choose the equipment type to be used with
consideration of the required Radio capacity(4,8 or16E1) and Configuration
(1+0 or 1+1).

**In case of 1+1 HS Configuration. Hybrid Loss must be considered for

direct mount configuration and RF Cable/Waveguide Loss must be distinct
for indirect mount configuration.

Hybrid Loss=3dB/station
Waveguide Loss is depending on the type of cable to be used.
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e). Input the channel frequency to be used. (Approved frequency channel must
be secured first from end user/customer before assigning).

**High or Low Side must also be selected during selecting desired

frequency.
**For Multi-links, PathLoss Tool User shall decide the point frequency and
polarization appropriate for the link based on existing frequencies within
respectable distance from subject link. Interference report should be
checked to confirm possible interference.
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f. Check the Link Availability

**For short distance hops, additional attenuation can be assigned in order to

protect the ODU from receiving very high receive levels.

**PathLoss Tool User shall decide the antenna diameter size required for the
link based on the Link Availability (at least 99.999%) and Fade Margin (30dB
for SDH and 35dB for PDH).
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C. Commonly Used Standards on Pathloss Designing/Updating

(Reference: Pakistan Project)

1. Proper legends should be followed for the site/link layers and link
attributes.

Example:

Table 1 - PathLoss Layers

Site Layers
On-Air : NEC and other vendor sites which are On-Air
Planned : NEC and other vendor sites which are planned
(Other vendor planned sites should be informed by Customer)
Micro/Dart : Small-capacity (other vendor) sites which are On-Air
DTE : PTCL Site
BSC : BSC Site
MSC : MSC Site

Link Layers
NEC Installed : NEC links which are currently operational
NEC Planned : NEC links which are still under planning
Other Installed : Other vendor links which are currently operational
Other Planned : Other vendor links which are still under planning
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2. Below are the legends commonly used in PathLoss Tool.

Table 2 – Legends for PathLoss Layers

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3. Link Planning Form

Table 3 - Link Planning Form

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** PathLoss Tool User shall attach the Link Budget to the Link Planning
Form, wherein copies shall be provided to,

a. Project Manager
b. Person-in-Charge, Customer Side (Txn Dept.)
c. NESIC SV & Installation Team
d. NEC, if necessary

During Pre-Test/Installation:

1. NESIC Installation Team shall confirm the data in the Link Planning Form
and the attached Link Budget.

2. If any parameter has to be changed, the person/party modifying the data should
accomplish a new Link Planning Form using the same Reference No. indicating
the Revision No. and place comments/notes regarding the changes. The newly
accomplished Link Planning Form has to be attached to the previous Link
Planning Form and provide a copy to the PathLoss Tool User in order to prepare
the revised Link Budget. New Link Planning Form with revised Link Budget will
be provided to:

a. Project Manager
b. Person-in-Charge, Customer Side (Tx Dept.)
c. NESIC SV on site
d. NEC, if necessary

During PAT:

1. NESIC Installation Team should have a copy of both the Link Planning Form and
Link Budget. All data in the Link Planning Form should be reconfirmed
at the site by both Customer/Client and NESIC Testing Team. Other
missing data in the Link Planning Form should be completed (no blanks
should be left-out).

2. Both parties shall fix their signature on the attached Link Budget.

3. After PAT, NESIC Installation Team shall give a copy of the completed Link
Planning Form with the attached signed Link Budget to Project Manager or Planning
Group for filing and record purposes.
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Updating of PathLoss Tool

1. PathLoss Tool User shall immediately update the PathLoss Data

after receiving Link Planning Form. PathLoss Data shall be updated with
the information provided in the Link Planning Form with attached signed Link
Budget. Layers and Link attributes should be observed in reference to Table2.

2. PathLoss Tool User shall provide duplicate copies of the final Link Planning
Form to:
a. Project Manager
b. Person-in-Charge, Customer Side (Tx Dept.)
c. NESIC SV on site
d. NEC, if necessary
e. Warehouse, if logistics is part of SOW.

3. Customer TXN Planning Department may update their planning tool using
the same procedure and forms.

Modifications Required in the Future

**When a link is to be modified for any parameters in the future, the Link Planning
Form should be used. The Reference No. shall remain the same, the Revision No.
should be indicated with comments/notes regarding the modification. Examples of
link modifications are,

a. Change of antenna heights

b. Change of frequency channel assignment
c. Change of radio capacity
d. Link is dismantled/removed

PathLoss Tool Updated

**After updating the PathLoss Data, a Check Mark (√) has to be placed on the tick
box beside “Final” and place the date when the final confirmed parameters where
entered into the PathLoss Data. This shall be the confirmation that PathLoss Tool
was updated.