Digital Microwave Communication
Engineering Point-to-Point Microwave Systems
1. Edition August 2013
756 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Short Description
Until now, no book has adequately treated all engineering aspects of microwave communications in the digital age. This important new work provides readers with the depth of knowledge necessary for all the practical engineering details associated with fixed point-to-point microwave radio path design: the why, what, and how of microwave transmission; design objectives; engineering methodologies; and design philosophy (in the bid, design, and acceptance phase of the project). Written in an easily accessible format, the book is complete with an appendix of specialized engineering details and formulas.
The first book to cover all engineering aspects of microwave communication path design for the digital age
Fixed point-to-point microwave systems provide moderate-capacity digital transmission between well-defined locations. Most popular in situations where fiber optics or satellite communication is impractical, it is commonly used for cellular or PCS site interconnectivity where digital connectivity is needed but not economically available from other sources, and in private networks where reliability is most important.
Until now, no book has adequately treated all engineering aspects of microwave communications in the digital age. This important new work provides readers with the depth of knowledge necessary for all the system engineering details associated with fixed point-to-point microwave radio path design: the why, what, and how of microwave transmission; design objectives; engineering methodologies; and design philosophy (in the bid, design, and acceptance phase of the project).
Written in an easily accessible format, Digital Microwave Communication features an appendix of specialized engineering details and formulas, and offers up chapter coverage of:
* A Brief History of Microwave Radio
* Microwave Radio Overview
* System Components
* Hypothetical Reference Circuits
* Multipath Fading
* Rain Fading
* Reflections and Obstructions
* Network Reliability Calculations
* Regulation of Microwave Radio Networks
* Radio Network Performance Objectives
* Designing and Operating Microwave Systems
* Antennas
* Radio Diversity
* Ducting and Obstruction Fading
* Digital Receiver Interference
* Path Performance Calculations
Digital Microwave Communication: Engineering Point-to-Point Microwave Systems will be of great interest to engineers and managers who specify, design, or evaluate fixed point-to-point microwave systems associated with communications systems and equipment manufacturers, independent and university research organizations, government agencies, telecommunications services, and other users.
Acknowledgments xvii
About the Author xix
1 A Brief History of Microwave Radio Fixed Point-to-Point (Relay) Communication Systems 1
1.1 In the Beginning, 1
1.2 Microwave Telecommunications Companies, 7
1.3 Practical Applications, 10
1.4 The Beat Goes On, 14
References, 16
2 Regulation of Microwave Radio Transmissions 20
2.1 Radio Frequency Management, 21
2.2 Testing for Interference, 28
2.3 Radio Paths by FCC Frequency Band in the United States, 29
2.4 Influences in Frequency Allocation and Utilization Policy within the Western Hemisphere, 30
2.5 FCC Fixed Radio Services, 36
2.6 Site Data Accuracy Requirements, 41
2.7 FCC Antenna Registration System (ASR) Registration Requirements, 42
2.8 Engineering Microwave Paths Near Airports and Heliports, 44
References, 47
3 Microwave Radio Overview 48
3.1 Introduction, 48
3.2 Digital Signaling, 50
3.3 Noise Figure, Noise Factor, Noise Temperature, and Front End Noise, 50
3.4 Digital Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM), 53
3.5 Radio Transmitters and Receivers, 58
3.6 Modulation Format, 60
3.7 QAM Digital Radios, 65
3.8 Channel Equalization, 68
3.9 Channel Coding, 70
3.10 Trellis Coded Modulation (TCM), 72
3.11 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), 75
3.12 Radio Configurations, 76
3.13 Frequency Diversity and Multiline Considerations, 82
3.14 Transmission Latency, 85
3.15 Automatic Transmitter Power Control (ATPC), 87
3.16 Current Trends, 87
References, 90
4 Radio Network Performance Objectives 96
4.1 Customer Service Objectives, 96
4.2 Maintenance Objectives, 96
4.3 Commissioning Objectives, 98
4.4 Design Objectives, 98
4.5 Differences Between North American and European Radio System Objectives, 99
4.6 North American Telecommunications System Design Objectives, 100
4.7 International Telecommunications System Design Objectives, 100
4.8 Engineering Microwave Paths to Design Objectives, 102
4.9 Accuracy of Path Availability Calculations, 106
4.10 Impact of Flat Multipath Variability, 108
4.11 Impact of Outage Measurement Methodology, 108
4.12 Impact of External Interference, 109
4.13 Conclusion, 109
References, 110
5 Radio System Components 114
5.1 Microwave Signal Transmission Lines, 115
5.2 Antenna Support Structures, 121
5.3 Tower Rigidity and Integrity, 127
5.4 Transmission Line Management, 127
5.5 Antennas, 127
5.6 Near Field, 137
5.7 Fundamental Antenna Limitations, 143
5.8 Propagation, 143
5.9 Radio System Performance as a Function of Radio Path Propagation, 145
5.10 Radio System Performance as a Function of Radio Path Terrain, 149
5.11 Antenna Placement, 153
5.12 Frequency Band Characteristics, 155
5.13 Path Distances, 157
5.A Appendix, 159
References, 172
6 Designing and Operating Microwave Systems 175
6.1 Why Microwave Radio? 175
6.2 Radio System Design, 175
6.3 Designing Low Frequency Radio Networks, 179
6.4 Designing High Frequency Radio Networks, 182
6.5 Field Measurements, 185
6.6 User Data Interfaces, 185
6.7 Operations and Maintenance, 202
6.8 Maintaining the Network, 210
References, 217
7 Hypothetical Reference Circuits 220
7.1 North American (NA) Availability Objectives, 220
7.2 North American Quality Objectives, 225
7.3 International Objectives, 225
7.4 International Telecommunication Union Quality Objectives, 236
7.5 Error-Performance Relationship Among BER, BBER, and SESs, 245
References, 247
8 Microwave Antenna Theory 249
8.1 Common Parameters, 251
8.2 Passive Reflectors, 252
8.3 Circular (Parabolic) Antennas, 256
8.4 Square Flat Panel Antennas, 274
8.5 Regulatory Near Field Power Density Limits, 290
8.6 Practical Near Field Power Calculations, 290
8.7 Near Field Antenna Coupling Loss, 296
8.A Appendix, 307
References, 318
9 Multipath Fading 320
9.1 Flat and Dispersive Fading, 329
9.A Appendix, 338
References, 344
10 Microwave Radio Diversity 348
10.1 Space Diversity, 350
10.2 Dual-Frequency Diversity, 354
10.3 Quad (Space and Frequency) Diversity, 357
10.4 Hybrid Diversity, 358
10.5 Multiline Frequency Diversity, 358
10.6 Crossband Multiline, 365
10.7 Angle Diversity, 366
10.A Appendix, 372
References, 380
11 Rain Fading 384
11.1 Point (Single-Location) Rain Loss (Fade) Estimation, 386
11.2 Path Rain-Fade Estimation, 390
11.3 Point-to-Path Length Conversion Factor, 398
11.4 Single-Location Rain Rate R, 398
11.5 City Rain Rate Data for North America, 407
11.6 New Rain Zones, 430
11.7 Worst-Month Rain Rates, 430
11.8 Point Rain Rate Variability, 439
11.9 Examples of Rain-Loss-Dominated Path Designs, 441
11.10 Conclusions, 444
11.A Appendix, 446
References, 458
12 Ducting and Obstruction Fading 461
12.1 Introduction, 461
12.2 Superrefraction (Ducting), 465
12.3 Subrefraction (Earth Bulge or Obstruction), 469
12.4 Minimizing Obstruction Fading, 471
12.5 Obstruction Fading Model, 477
12.6 Obstruction Fading Estimation, 479
12.7 Bell Labs Seasonal Parameter Charts, 483
12.8 Refractivity Data Limitations, 484
12.9 Reviewing the Bell Labs Seasonal Parameter Charts, 485
12.10 Obstruction Fading Parameter Estimation, 486
12.11 Evaluating Path Clearance Criteria, 487
12.A Appendix: North American Refractivity Index Charts, 490
12.B Appendix: Worldwide Obstruction Fading Data, 491
References, 511
13 Reflections and Obstructions 514
13.1 Theoretical Rough Earth Reflection Coefficient, 514
13.2 Scattering from Earth Terrain, 517
13.3 Practical Earth Reflection Coefficient, 519
13.4 Reflection Location, 519
13.5 Smooth Earth Divergence Factor, 522
13.6 Reflections from Objects Near a Path, 523
13.7 Fresnel Zones, 525
13.8 Antenna Launch Angle (Transmit or Receive Antenna Takeoff Angle), 527
13.9 Grazing Angle, 527
13.10 Additional Path Distance, 528
13.11 Estimating the Effect of a Signal Reflected from the Earth, 528
13.12 Flat Earth Obstruction Path Loss, 529
13.13 Smooth Earth Obstruction Loss, 529
13.14 Knife-Edge Obstruction Path Gain, 530
13.15 Rounded-Edge Obstruction Path Gain, 531
13.16 Complex Terrain Obstruction Losses, 532
13.A Appendix, 536
References, 555
14 Digital Receiver Interference 559
14.1 Composite Interference (T/T ) Criterion, 559
14.2 Carrier-to-Interference Ratio (C/I) Criterion, 560
14.3 Measuring C/I, 560
14.4 Estimating C/I, 561
14.5 Threshold to Interference (T/I) Criterion, 562
14.6 Why Estimate T/I, 563
14.7 T/I Estimation--Method One, 564
14.8 T/I Estimation--Method Two, 565
14.9 Conclusion, 569
14.A Appendix, 569
14.B Appendix: Receiver Parameters, 571
References, 572
15 Network Reliability Calculations 573
15.1 Hardware Reliability, 574
15.2 System Reliability, 577
15.3 Communication Systems, 579
15.4 Application to Radio Configurations, 580
15.5 Spare Unit Requirements, 580
15.6 BER Estimation, 583
References, 585
16 Path Performance Calculations 587
16.1 Path Loss, 588
16.2 Fade Margin, 589
16.3 Path Performance, 589
16.4 Allowance for Interference, 590
16.5 North American (NA) Path Performance Calculations, 590
16.6 International Telecommunication Union--Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) Path Performance Calculations, 604
16.7 Rain Fading and Obstruction Fading (NA and ITU-R), 614
16.8 Comparing the North American and the ITU-R Flat-Fading Estimates, 614
16.9 Diffraction and Vegetation Attenuation, 621
16.10 Fog Attenuation, 622
16.11 Air Attenuation, 624
16.A Appendix, 631
References, 649
A Microwave Formulas and Tables 653
A.1 General, 653
Table A.1 General, 653
Table A.2 Scientific and Engineering Notation, 654
Table A.3 Emission Designator, 655
Table A.4 Typical Commercial Parabolic Antenna Gain (dBi), 656
Table A.5 Typical Rectangular Waveguide, 656
Table A.6 Typical Rectangular Waveguide Data, 657
Table A.7 Typical Copper Corrugated Elliptical Waveguide Loss, 657
Table A.8 Typical Copper Circular Waveguide Loss, 658
Table A.9 Rectangular Waveguide Attenuation Factors, 659
Table A.10 CommScope Elliptical Waveguide Attenuation Factors, 659
Table A.11 RFS Elliptical Waveguide Attenuation Factors, 660
Table A.12 Elliptical Waveguide Cutoff Frequencies, 660
Table A.13 Circular Waveguide Cutoff Frequencies, 661
Table A.14 Typical Coaxial Microwave Connectors, 663
Table A.15 Coaxial Cable Velocity Factors, 664
Table A.16 50 Ohm Coaxial Cable Attenuation Factors, 664
Table A.17 Frequency Bands, General Users, 665
Table A.18 Frequency Bands, Fixed Point to Point Operators, 665
Table A.19 Frequency Bands, Radar, Space and Satellite Operators, 666
Table A.20 Frequency Bands, Electronic Warfare Operators, 666
Table A.21 Frequency Bands, Great Britain Operators, 666
Table A.22 Signal-to-Noise Ratio for Demodulator 10.6 BER, 667
A.2 Radio Transmission, 668
A.3 Antennas (Far Field), 675
A.4 Near-Field Power Density, 682
A.5 Antennas (Close Coupled), 683
A.6 Path Geometry, 687
A.7 Obstruction Loss, 693
A.8 Mapping, 698
A.9 Towers, 700
A.10 Interpolation, 702
B Personnel and Equipment Safety Considerations 709
B.1 General Safety Guidelines, 709
B.2 Equipment Protection, 711
B.3 Equipment Considerations, 712
B.4 Personnel Protective Equipment, 713
B.5 Accident Prevention Signs, 713
B.6 Tower Climbing, 713
B.7 Hand Tools, 715
B.8 Electrical Powered Tools, 715
B.9 Soldering Irons, 715
B.10 Ladders, 716
B.11 Hoisting or Moving Equipment, 716
B.12 Batteries, 717
B.13 Laser Safety Guidelines, 717
B.14 Safe Use of Lasers and LED in Optical Fiber Communication Systems, 718
B.15 Optical Fiber Communication System (OFCS) Service Groups (SGs), 718
B.16 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), 719
B.17 Maximum Permissible Microwave Radio RF Exposure, 720
B.18 Protect Other Radio Users [FCC], 720
B.19 PAUSE (Prevent all Unplanned Service Events) and Ask Yourself (Verizon and AT&T Operations), 721
B.20 Protect Yourself (Bell System Operations), 721
B.21 Parting Comment, 721
Index 723