SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

MICROWAVE SYSTEM LINK USING

CLOSE-COUPLED DOUBLED PASSIVE REPEATERS

Submitted by:

MUYANO,Joson G.

SOMERA, Clarence Mark B.

SEPULVEDA, Jimeleen I.

ZANTUA, Christabele Charise C.

Submitted to:

Engr. Jeffrey Des Binwag

1:30-3:00 Daily

H607

July 13, 2017

INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the study
Microwave communication is method of wirelessly sending data. Modern
microwave systems are used in telephone networks (both wireless and wireline)
and ISPs. They are used by power utilities to remotely manage the power grid.
They are used by public safety agencies (ex. police, fire) for remote monitoring and
management. Many industries used microwave because it is a powerful tool
wherever data must be transmitted a long distance without physical wires. This is
common in rural mountainous regions, where installing physical transmission lines
is difficult and expensive. Microwave systems minimize installations and
maintenance, as a signal microwave tower can transmit data across dozens of
miles.

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.

Researchers’ case study aims to design a microwave link system from

Imayos Norte where the transmitter is located and Mabibila Norte where the
receiver is found. The design and construction of a microwave radio link network is
based on a number of factors such as distances between microwave radio
terminals, terrain properties, size of antennas and others.

A.1 Site Conditions

A.1.1 Terminal Sites

Transmitter – Imayos Norte, Vigan

Latitude: 17°27’ 16.45’’
Longitude: 120° 44’ 25.8”
Actual Elevation: 20 m
 Receiver – Mabibila Norte, Vigan
Latitude: 17° 26’ 32.05’’
Longitude: 120° 30’47.28”
Actual Elevation: 10 m

A.1.2 Reflector Sites

Billboard A – North-West of Borayoc

Latitude: 17° 29' 44.66"
Longitude: 120° 38' 4.24"
Actual Elevation: 385 m

Billboard B – Near Sto. Tomas

Latitude: 17° 23’47.05”
Longitude: 12008’41.74”
Actual Elevation: 308 m

A.2 Path Conditions

A.2.1 Direct Path

Obstructed with a highest elevation of 60 m.

A.2.2 Alternate path

A double passive reflector was used to compensate the given obstruction
condition

A.3 Parabolic Dish Antenna (at Terminal Sites)

The parabolic dish antennas at Transmitter and Receiver used in the
design have the same diameter of 2.956 ft. Both antennas have a gain of 36 dB.
Transmitter Tower Height: 12 m
Receiver Tower Height: 12.635 m
Climate: Mountainous but non-reflective areas

A.4 Passive Reflector at BB Sites

The passive reflector used has different areas considering that it satisfies
the given conditions. Both billboards have a gain of 36 dB.
Computed Size of the Billboard A: 22.840 ft by 22.840 ft
Computed Size of the Billboard B: 24.817 ft by 24.817ft
Angle of Billboard A: 54°
Angle of Billboard B: 82°
 B. Statement of the Problem
The main problem of this case study is to design a digital microwave link
using close-coupled double passive reflectors and taking into consideration the
given data and satisfying all the given parameters of the case study. Generally, the
design should only be confined in using close-coupled double passive reflectors and
that no other type of reflector could probably be used.

I. MICROWAVE SYSTEM DESIGN CALCULATIONS

A. GIVEN PARAMETERS:

Minimum Total Path Length (Tx-B-A-BB-Rx) = 30 km

Minimum Path Length between a terminal site and billboard reflector =10 km
Maximum distance between billboards = 5km
Maximum included angle = 100°
Fixed Losses (per terminal site): Connector Loss= 0.25dB
Radome Loss= 0.5 dB
Waveguide Loss= 1.5 dB/100’
Waveguide Length= +20 ft to TH
Tower Height (TH) for terminals =12m to 15m
Tower Height for Billboards= 12m to 15m
R = 99.9975%
Ptx = 700mW
Prac Eb/No = 17 dB
Bit rate = 120 Mbps
T = 290 K
NF = 6dB
K=4/3
Frequency=9GHz
B. CET and Path Profile

 Transmitter to Receiver
d1, km d2, km AE, m h, m CE, m

0 0 24.5 20 0 20

1 2 22.5 25 2.647 27.647

2 2.5 22 30 3,235 33.235

3 3.5 21 30 4.324 34.324

4 4 20.5 40 4.824 44.824

5 5.5 19 40 6.147 46.147

6 6.5 18 60 6.882 66.882

7 9 15.5 40 8.206 48.206

8 15 9.5 20 8.382 28.382

9 17 7.5 20 7.5 27.5

10 18 6.5 10 6.5 16.5

11 24.5 0 10 0 10

 Transmitter to Billboard A
d1, km d2, km AE, m h, m CE, m

1 0 13 20 0 20

2 2 11 30 1.294 31.294

3 3.5 9.5 35 1.956 36.956

4 3.7 9.3 40 2.2024 42.024

5 4.5 8.5 45 2.25 47.25

6 5.3 7.7 50 2.401 52.401

7 6.5 6.5 100 2.485 102.485

 8 7.1 5.9 100 2.464 102.464

9 8 5 300 2.353 302.353

10 10.2 2.8 300 1.68 301.68

11 10.5 2.5 400 26.25 426.25

12 11.1 1.9 500 1.241 501.241

13 13 0 500 0 685

 Billboard A to Billboard B
d1, km d2, km AE, m h, m CE, m

1 0 3.7 685 0 685

2 0.8 2.9 400 0.136 400.136

3 1 1.7 300 0.1 300.1

4 1.65 2.05 200 3.383 203.383

5 1.85 1.85 66 0.201 66

6 3.4 0.3 200 1.02 201.02

7 3.7 0 308 0 308

 Billboard B to Receiver
d1, km d2, km AE, m h, m CE, m

1 0 14 308 0 308

2 0.8 13.2 200 0.388 200.388

3 1.3 12.7 100 0.971 100.791

4 1.8 12.2 70 1.292 71.292

5 3.4 10.6 50 2.12 52.12

6 6 8 100 2.824 102.824

 7 7 7 50 2.882 52.882

8 12.35 1.65 21 1.199 22.199

9 13 1 21 0.765 21.765

10 14 0 10 0 10

C. Tower Height Calculation

 Transmitter to Billboard A

AE= 100 m, CE= 102.485 m

x
(7)(7)
F1= 17.3√ 9(14)
F1= 10.396

MC= 0.6*F1=6.238
20+12+685+12
x= = 364.5
CC=x-CE 2
CC=262.015

AC=x-AE
AC=264.5
𝐴𝐶
n = ( 𝐹1 )2
n= 647.320= 647(odd)

Th= THTx=THBA= 12m

 Billboard B to Receiver
AE= 50 m, CE= 52.882m
x
(7)(7)
F1= 17.3√ 9(14)
F1= 10.788

MC= 0.6*F1= 6.473 12.034+308+12+10

x= = 171.017
2
CC=x-CE
CC=118.135
 AC=x-AE
AC=121.017
𝐴𝐶
n = ( 𝐹1 )2
n=125.838 = 126 (even)

use n’=126.5
𝐴𝐶′
760.5=(2.83333)2
AC’=121.335

x’=AC’+50
x’=171.335
CC’=x’-CE
CC’=118.453
CC’>MC
118.453>6.473

FOR THE TOWER HEIGHT OF THE BILLBOARD:

x’=437.1352

485+12
0.5 0.5 365+THBB
12.035 + 308 + 𝑥 + 10
= 171.335
2

THBB= 𝟏𝟐. 𝟔𝟑𝟓

 Billboard A to Billboard B
AE= 66 m, CE= 66.201 m

(1.85)(1.85)
F1= 17.3√ 9(3.7)
x
F1= 5.546

MC= 0.6*F1=3.328
685+308+(2)12
x= = 508.5
2
 CC=x-CE
CC=442.299

AC=x-AE
AC=442.5
𝐴𝐶
n = ( 𝐹1 )2
n=6366.003(even)
(not acceptable)

use n’= 6366.5

AC’=442.517

x’=AC’+66
x’=508.517
CC’=x’-CE
CC’=442.316
CC’>MC
442.316>3.328

Solve for Tower Height:

685+12m+x+308+ =508.517
2

TH=12.034m

D. Reflection Zone / Reflection Point

 Transmitter to Billboard A

1. ATE= 162.200 m

2. h1=elevation of the lowest site+TH-ATE

h1=20+12-162.200
h1= -130.2m
3. h2= elevation of the highest site+TH-ATE
h2= 685+12-162.200
h2= 534.8m
ℎ1
4. ℎ2 = -0.243 (negative) * NO REFLECTION POINT OR REFLECTION ZONE

 Billboard A to Billboard B
1. ATE= 234.16 m

2. h1=elevation of the lowest site+TH-ATE

h1=308+12.034-234.16
h1= 85.866m
3. h2= elevation of the highest site+TH-ATE
h2= 685+12-234.16
h2= 462.832
ℎ1
4. ℎ2 = 0.186 (positive) * WITH REFLECTION POINT OR REFLECTION ZONE

. Billboard B to Receiver
1. ATE= 147.2077 m

2. h1=elevation of the lowest site+TH-ATE

h1=200+12.1911-147.2077
h1= 64.7923
3. h2= elevation of the highest site+TH-ATE
h2= 365+12.1597-147.2077
h2=229.9520

ℎ1
4. ℎ2 = 0.2818 (positive) * WITH REFLECTION POINT OR REFLECTION ZONE
 E. Path Data Sheet

TX BBA BBB RX
1 SITE IMAYOS NORTE Neat Sto. Tomas North-West of MABIBILA NORTE
Borayoc
2 LATITUDE 17°27’ 25.8’’ 17° 29’44.66” 17°23’47.05” 17°26’32.05
3 LONGITUDE 120° 44’16.45” 120° 38’4.24” 120° 38’41.47” 120° 30’47.28”
4 ACTUAL ELEVATION (m) 20 685 308 10
5 TOWER HEIGHT (m) 12 12 12.034 12.635
6 PATH LENGTH (km) 13 3.7 14
7 PATH LOSS (dB) 133.942dB 122.930 dB 134.597dB
8 PATH ATTENUATION(FSL) 133.805 dB 122.891 dB 134.449 dB
(AAL) 0.137 dB 0.039 dB 0.147 dB
9 TOTAL PATH LOSS 391.469 dB

10 WAVEGUIDE LENGTH (ft) 59.372 ft 61.455 ft

11 WAVEGUIDE LOSS (dB) 0.891dB 0.922 dB
12 CONNECTOR LOSS (dB) 0.25 0.25
13 RADOME LOSS (dB) 0.5 0.5
14 TOTAL FIXED LOSSES (dB) 3.313 dB
15 TOTAL LOSSES (TPL + TFL) (dB) 394.782 dB
16 MIN RSL -104.837 dB
17 SYSTEM GAIN (dB) 113.288 dB
18 TOTAL GAIN (dB) 299.630 dB
19 DISH/BILLBOARD GAIN (dB) 36 dB 133.815dB 113.815 dB 36 dB
20 DISH/BILLBOARD SIZE (feet) 2.956’ 22.840’x22.840’ 24.817’x24.817’ 2.956’
21 TRANSMIT POWER (mW) 700
22 BIT RATE 120 Mbps
23 PRACTICAL EB/NO (dB) 12
24 TEMPERATURE 290 K
25 NOISE FIGURE (dB) 6
26 FADE MARGIN 18.136 dB
 SITE INCLUDED TOTAL HIGHEST
ANGLE DISTANCE ELEVATION
OBSTRUCTION
LATITUDE: 120° 40’14.68” 100° 29.05km 20m(x)
LONGTITUDE: 17° 22’ 17.21”
ELEVATION: 10m
LATITUDE: 120° 34’35.54” 120° 27.05km 87m(x)
LONGTITUDE: 17°23’ 50.11”
ELEVATION: 20m
LATITUDE: 120°35’35.87 150°(x) 25.5 km -na-
LONGTITUDE: 17°”28’41.59”
ELEVATION: 690m
LATITUDE: 120°40’2.93” 150°(x) 26.5 km -na-
LONGTITUDE: 17°25’59.66”
ELEVATION: 87 m
LATITUDE: 120°43’46.63” 99° 33 km (x) 200 m (x)
LONGTITUDE: 17°29’25.8”
ELEVATION: 170 m
SINGLE PASSIVE OPTIONS:

F. Path Data Sheet Calculation

 PATH LOSS
Transmitter to Billboard A
4𝜋(9𝑥109 )(13000)
FSL=20log( )
3𝑥108

FSL=133.805 dB

AAL=0.00117 x 9 x 13

AAL= 0.137Db

PL1=FSL+AAL

PL1=133.942dB

Billboard A to Billboard B
 4𝜋(9𝑥109 )(3700)
FSL=20log( )
3𝑥108

FSL=122.891dB

AAL=0.00117 x 9 x 3.7

AAL= 0.039 dB

PL2=FSL+AAL

PL2=122.930 dB

Billboard B to Receiver
4𝜋(9𝑥109 )(14000)
FSL=20log( )
3𝑥108

FSL=134.449 dB

AAL=0.00117 x 9 x 3.7

AAL= 0.147 dB

PL3=FSL+AAL

PL3=134.597 dB

TOTAL PATH LOSS= PL1+PL2+PL3=133.942+122.930 +134.597

TOTAL PATH LOSS=391.469dB

 WAVEGUIDE LENGTH AND WAVEGUIDE LOSS

Waveguide Length
Transmitter: 20 + (12*3.281) = 59.372 ft
Receiver: 20 + (12.5376842*3.281) = 61.455 ft

Waveguide Loss
1.5 𝑑𝐵
Transmitter: *59.372 = 0.89058 dB
100𝑓𝑡

1.5 𝑑𝐵
Receiver: *61.1361 = 0.91704 dB
100𝑓𝑡

 CONNECTOR AND RADOME LOSS

 Connector loss
 Transmitter: 0.25 dB
 Receiver: 0.25 dB
Radome loss
 Transmitter: 0.5 dB
 Receiver: 0.5 dB

 TOTAL FIXED LOSSES

Total fixed loss= Waveguide loss + Connector loss + Radome loss

= (0.891+0.922 +2(0.25) +2(0.5)

Total fixed loss=3.313 dB

 TOTAL LOSSES (TPL +TFL)

Total losses= Total path loss + Total fixed loss

= 391.469 +3.313

Total Losses=394.782 dB
 Min RSL
F=log*-1(5/10)
F=3.162
Te=290(3.162-1)
Te=626.98
Cmin=Practical Eb/No + 10log(BR) + No
=15+10log(1.38x106 )+(10log(1.38x10^-23)( 626.98))
Cmin=-104.837 dB

 SYSTEM GAIN (Gs)

Gs=Pt-Cmin
=10log(7) +104.837
Gs=113.288 dB
 FADE MARGIN (FM)

Fm=30log(D)+10log(6abf)-10log(1-R)-70
D=30.7 km
 a=1
b=0.125
R=0.9997
Fm=10log(30.7)+10log(6x1x0.125x9)-10log(1-0.9997)-70

FM = 18.136 dB
 TOTAL GAIN
Total gain= Total losses –System Gain +Fm
=394.782- 133.288 + 18.136
Total Gain=299.63 dB

 DISH/BILLBOARD GAIN and DISH/BILLBOARD SIZE

Total gain = (GTx+GRx) + (GBa+GBb)
GTx = GRx = 36 dB

36 dB = 7.5 + 20 log (9) + 20 log (dft)

Ddish = 2.956

𝛉𝐚 = 𝟓𝟒°
𝛉𝐛 = 𝟖𝟐°

299.63 – 2(36) = 227.630 dB

227.630
GBa = GBb = = 113.815
2

GBa
54
113.815 = 22.3 + 40 log (9) + 20 log (A) + 20 log (cos( 2 ))
A = 521.656 ft2 = 48.459 m2

GBb
82
113.815 = 22.3 + 40 log (9) + 20 log (B) + 20 log (cos( 2 ))
B = 615.864 = 57.210 m2

Billboard A size = 22.840 ft by 22.840 ft

Billboard B size = 24.817 ft by 24.817 ft

(a+b) > √2λd (CLOSE COUPLED)

3x108
√2λd =√2 (9x109 ) (3700) ∗ 3.281
 √𝟐𝛌𝐝 = 28.448 ft

1 2 54
a2 = 521.656 ft2 x (3.281) cos ( 2 )
a2 = 43.177
a = 6.571 m

1 2 82
b2 = 615.864 ft2 x (3.281) cos ( 2 )
b2 = 43.177
b = 6.571 m

a + b = 13.142 m or 86.354 ft

Therefore,

86.354 > 28.448 ft, CLOSE COUPLED

G. Net Path Loss

Check if NF or FF;
For Transmitter to Billboard A:
1 πλd
=
k 4a2
3x108
π( ∗3.281)(1300∗3.281)
9x109
= 54
4(521.656∗cos )
2

𝟏
= 7.882 > 2.5 (Far Field)
𝐤

For Billboard B to Receiver:

1 πλd
=
k 4b2
3x108
π( ∗3.281)(14000∗3.281)
9x109
= 82
4(615.864 cos )
2

𝟏
= 8.489 > 2.5 (Far Field)
𝐤

Both are FF, therefore:

NPL= GTx - PL1 + Gsp + RG2 – PL3 + GRx
Gsp= GBa = 113.815 dB
PL1 = 122.930 dB
PL3 = 134.597 dB
 RG2= Relative gain of the pair billboard
1 2λd b
= &
k2 a2 a

3x108 √(615.864 )cos

82
1 2( ∗3.281)(3700∗3.281) b
9x109 2
= 54 =
k2 (521.656cos ) a 54
2 √(521.656)cos
2

𝟏 𝐛
= 𝟏. 𝟕𝟒𝟏 =𝟏
𝐤𝟐 𝐚

RG2= - 3.2 dB

NPL = GTx - PL1 + Gsp + RG2 – PL3 + GRx

NPL = 36 – 122.930 + 113.815 – (-3.2) – 134.597 + 36
NPL = -68.512 dB

II. Conclusion and Recommendation

The researchers have concluded that designing a microwave link using close-
coupled double passive reflectors from Imayos Norte to Mabibila in Vigan is possible. Adding
two billboards makes the path of transmission avoid the obstructions along the path.
Moreover, it is not possible to have a Single Passive Billboard because of the given
requirements such as not having more than 130° included angle, not having more than the total
path length of the design or not being obstructed. Also, all of the given conditions have been
met in order to construct the microwave link. The total path length of the microwave link is
30.7 km.
For better design purposes, it is recommended to include repeaters and to have
a lower Fresnel Zone to contain the signal in a smaller area. This will strengthen the signal being
transmitted. Furthermore, it is recommended to have a positive net path loss.
For better design purposes, it is recommended to have a lower Fresnel zone to
contain the signal in a smaller area. This is to strengthen the signal transmitted. Further, it is
recommended to have a positive net path loss. The researchers may include repeaters to
strengthen the signal.
III. Contour Map

Transmitter

BBA

BBB

Receiver