MICROWAVE Radio Frequency transmission exclusively between two geographical stations using extremely high frequencies.

ies. A term applied to those radio frequencies that range from approximately 1 GHz to 300 GHz or more. Due to their high frequencies, microwaves have relatively short wavelength (i.e. 0.001 to 0.03 m), hence the name micro. Microwave Communications have been coined Microwave Radio Link System, LOS (Line-ofSight Communication), Extremely High Frequency LOS, Point-to-Point Communication, centrimetric/millimetric radio.

ADVATAGES OF MICROWAVE COMMUNICATION 1. Large information handling capacity 2. Radio system do not require a right of way acquisition between two stations 3. Requires relatively small antennas, thus lower power consumption. 4. High reliability through diversity techniques 5. Fewer repeaters are necessary for amplifications 6. Distances between switching centers are less. 7. Carry wideband circuits for high-speed data/high quality voice channels 8. Each station requires the lease of only a small area of land 9. High degree of privacy easy data encryption 10.Could be fitted with anti-jam equipment, adaptive models and other accessories. 11.Underground facilities are minimized. 12.Minimum delay time is introduced. 13.Minimal cross talk exists between voice channels. 14.Increase reliability and less maintenance needed. 15.Microprocessor controlled pre-detection combining etc.

ANALOG VS. DIGITAL MICROWAVE Analog Microwave the information signals are frequency multiplexed (FDM) to form the baseband signal which is then frequency modulated (FM) onto the microwave carrier for transmission to the antenna.

Digital Microwave the information are time-division multiplexed (TDM) to form the baseband signal which is then phase modulated by PSK onto the microwave carrier.

Note: A microwave system is said to be analog or digital depending on the nature of the signal it carries. The radio frequency part of any microwave system is always analog. For microwave systems that used to carry digital signals, a MODEM is used during the signal processing stage to concert bit streams into sinusoidal waves.

FREQUENCY VS AMPLITUDE MODULATION Frequency Modulation (FM) is used in microwave radio systems because it is relatively insensitive to amplitude non-linear distortion, random noise and can be propagated with lower transmits power. Thus, characteristics of FM are more suitable for microwave transmission. Microwave radio system using FM are widely recognized as providing flexible, reliable and economical point-to-point communication using the earths atmosphere for the transmission medium. Microwave system is also easily expandable.

SHORT-HAUL VS. LONG HAUL MICROWAVE SYSTEMS Short-haul Microwave Systems used to carry information for relatively short distances (i.e. feeder service) Long-haul Microwave systems used to carry information for relatively long distances (i.e. backbone route application)

MICROWAVE FREQUENCIES Frequencies used in Microwave Communication have been grouped into certaib bands. Furthermore, each band has a minimum and maximum limit, and is again sub-divided according to their specific application. This is necessary, since microwaves can be applied into different implementations, in order to guarantee that its operation does not interface within other particular uses.

ITU-R BANDS

BAND L-Band (Long) S-Band (Short)

RADAR VALUE 1 to 2 GHz 2 to 4 GHz

SPACE COMMUNICATION 1.5 GHz 2.5 GHz

C-Band (Compromise) X-Band (Cross) Ku-Band (Kurz under) K-Band (Kurz) Ka-Band (Kurz above)

4 to 8 GHz 8 to 12 GHz 12 to 18 GHz 18 to 27 GHz 27 to 40 GHz

4/6 GHz

11/14 GHz and 12/14 GHz 20 GHz 30 GHz

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MICROWAVE AND HF/VHF

BAND Operating Frequency Transmission Medium Antenna used Transmitter to Antenna Signal Form

MICROWAVE 1-300 GHz Wave-guide Parabolic/Horn Electromagnetic Waves 3-300 MHz Wire Dipole

HF/VHF

Voltage or current

ITU-R WAVELENGTH CLASSIFICATIONS

Radio Spectrum ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) ULF (Ultra Low Frequency) VLF (Very Low Frequency) LF (Low Frequency) MF (Medium Frequency) HF (High Frequency)

Frequency 0.03 Hz to 0.3 Hz 0.3 Hz to 3 Hz 3 Hz to 30 Hz 30 Hz to 300 Hz 300 Hz to 3 kHz 3 kHz to 30 kHz 30 kHz to 300 kHz 300 kHz to 3 MHz 3 MHz to 30 MHz

Wavelength Gigametric Waves Hectomegametric Waves Decamegametric Waves Megametric Waves Hectokilometric Waves Myriametric Waves Kilometric Waves Hectometric Waves Decametric Waves

VHF (Very High Frequency) UHF (Ultra High Frequency) SHF (Super High Frequency) EHF (Extremely High Frequency) EHF (Extremely High Frequency) EHF (Extremely High Frequency) EHF (Extremely High Frequency) EHF (Extremely High Frequency)

30 MHz to 300 MHz 300 MHz to 3 GHz 3 GHz to 30 GHz 30 GHz to 300 GHz 300 GHz to 3 THz 3 THz to 30 THz 30 THz to 300 THz 300 THz to 3000 THz

Metric Waves Decimetric Waves Millimetric Waves Centimetric Waves Decimillimetric Waves Centimillimetric Waves Micrometric Waves Decimicrometric Waves

Note: The effective distance of a microwave system depends on the carrier frequency, which it utilizes. When the frequency selected is too high, fading may occur more often than predicted. Using a frequency that is too low is not only a waste of the spectrum usage, but also, the system may experience interference and distortion.

The higher the frequency, the higher the capacity for reflection. The lower the frequency, the higher the capacity for absorption.

ITU-R BANDWIDTH ASSIGNMENTS Narrow Band (NB) digital channels having medium speed transmission. Channel bandwidth may be between 6 to 100 MHz. Wide Band (WB) digital channels having high-speed transmission. The large volume of information results in a large bandwidth up to 220 MHz

Note: Microwave links are usually employed whenever cable based transmission systems would prove to be expensive, difficult or virtually impossible to install. Microwave installations used by telecommunications common carriers are the most frequent installation ever to be found.

Urban type microwave installations operate usually in a higher frequency as the distance, which they have to travel usually, do not extend more than a few blocks away. Rural type installations are typically designed to carry information at a farther distance and employ frequencies below 10 GHz. As a general rule, the lower the frequency, the farther the link. Thus, on rough estimates with microwave links of various systems.

23 GHz max 10 miles (16 km) 18 GHz max 18 miles (30 km) 10.5 GHz max 25 miles (41km) 8 GHz max 30 miles (50km)

These values can also be greatly reduced when considering more stringent reliability requirements, severe weather conditions, and terrain conditions along the path. As a general rule, the higher the capacity of the microwave system, the larger the bandwidth.