CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The growth of Wireless Communication from the

previous 10 years indicates a tripling of wireless products

and services it operates without a bounded media such as wires

or fiber optic cable. As an unbounded network, Wireless

Communication also operates as an unguided system. The

transmission disperses through the air in all directions and

this system makes use of microwave. This type of communication

scheme has developed at a feverish pitch as the range and

power of wireless technology continue to increase.

Communication system in Microwave utilizes the property

that propagation approaches an optical straight-line path.

Propagation takes place in the lower ionosphere (troposphere)

and in-affected by the meteorological factors such as

pressure, temperature, water vapor, turbulence, and

stratification. Communication in this media are generally

either line-of-sight or tropospheric scatter. The line of

sight form of radio transmission uses ultra-high frequencies

developed out of experiments with RADAR (radio detecting and

ranging) during the period preceding World War II. There are
several frequency ranges assigned to microwave systems, all

of which are in the Giga Hertz (GHz) range and the wavelength

in the millimeter range. This very short wavelength gives

rise to the term Microwave. Such high frequency signals are

susceptible to attenuation and therefore must be amplified or

repeated after a particular distance. In order to maximize

the strength of such high frequency signal and to increase

the distance of transmission at acceptable levels, the radio

beams are highly focused. A structure called Antenna is used

in guiding microwaves which is similar to a regular antenna

but with different constructions and specifications. It may

have some components such as wave guide, horns, lenses and

reflectors.

In fact Microwave transmission is already fading due to

the use of Fiber optic cables, greater capacity accommodation

with much faster transmission, but nonetheless microwave is

still in use due to handling longer distances, point-to-point

communication, easy maintenance, relatively low total cost of

ownership, cheaper to install compared to optical links, less

vandalism (fiber optics can be cut), less prone to sabotage

since it is sometimes located to highlands, no cables needed,

can achieve wide bandwidth and microwaves are over the air.

Although, these advantages comes with drawbacks. Line of

sight may disrupt if there is an obstruction which will

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greatly affect the transmission, if there is another put up

link it is easily subjected to electromagnetic interference

and radio fading takes place to the receiver. Also, this

system is susceptible to environmental conditions like heavy

rains or typhoons that will result to the common misalignment

of antennas.

Microwave transmission offers great flexibility in

communications and is really a necessity which is readily

available and offers access to various communication

equipment such as cellular phones and other handheld devices

of the kind.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study intends to achieve a protected Communication

system design using microwave as a mode of transmission that

links the two distant stations Labo, Camarines Norte and

Minalabac, Camarines Sur. These two points are both located

in Bicol Region having a relay station located at Mount Labo,

Camarines Norte, with consideration of the actual existing

and effective mathematical and systematic process of

Microwave Communication.

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 This study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the best route that will ensure a clear path for
the line-of-sight of the chosen location for the to-be-
installed Microwave antennas? Consider the Economic
Does its benefits exceeds costs and shortest distance
factors in choosing the best route.
2. How can the researcher tell that the network created was
indeed a protected one?
3. Does the specification of the equipment fit the system
design? How can it tell?
4. What is the over-all reliability of the microwave
system?

SCOPES AND DELIMITATION

The goal of this study is to create the best route for

linking, provide a protected network topology and to get the

specifications of the equipment that will best fit the

Microwave design connecting Labo, Camarines Norte and

Minalabac, Camarines sur.

Alternatives of routes are developed so that a good

resulting impact on the quality of decision will be made and

differences of outcomes are considered in the development of

feasible alternatives. Also, the reasons why the researchers

chose the route are discussed in the study.

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 In order to get the specifications needed, this study

presented the precise technique in designing a barrier-free

line-of-sight achieving microwave link that will be used for

the link budget of the system design that are based on the

concrete steps on the actual microwave system planning and

engineering. Calculations and research results were conducted

and analyzed in accordance with the existing methodology.

However, there are certain factors such as noise

discussion and the legal considerations regarding the

installation of the tower and antenna and fiber optics

planning were neglected in this research. Financial matters

are not included in this paper.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms used in the study has been

functionally and theoretically defined as follows:

Absorption and Scattering happens when an incident

electromagnetic wave passes over an object that has

dielectric properties different from the surrounding medium,

some energy is absorbed and some are scattered, the smaller

the scatter, the more isotropic it is in the direction with

respect to the wavelength of

Antenna is a devise used to propagate radio or electromagnetic

waves or to capture radio waves.

Antenna Gain refers to the effectiveness of a directional

antenna compared to a standard non-directional antenna.

Antenna Height is the height of the center of radiation of a

transmitting antenna above the effective ground level.

Atmospheric Losses are the attenuations due to the absorption

of the electromagnetic waves by oxygen molecule and water

vapor in the atmosphere.

Attenuation refers to the reduction in energy as a signal

travels through equipment, transmission line of air.

Azimuth or Bearings this is the angle of rotation (horizontal)

that a ground- based parabolic Antenna must be rotated through

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the point to a specific satellite in a geosynchronous orbit.

The azimuth angle for any particular satellite can be

determined for any point on the surface of the Earth given

the longitude and latitude of that point. It is defined with

respect to due north as a matter of easy convenience.

Bandwidth this is the range between the highest and the lowest

frequencies employed for a particular purpose. For instance,

a voice transmission by telephone requires a bandwidth of 4

KHz while a television channel occupies 6 MHz in terrestrial

systems.

Circular Polarization a form of polarization wherein the

polarization vector rotates 360 degree as the wave moves one

wavelength through the space and field strength is equal to

all angle of polarization.

Clutter Losses described as the attenuation due to trees and

buildings in front of the antenna.

Coordinates (latitude and longitude) refers to the two magnitudes

that describe and determine the position of any place on the

Earths surface.

Critical Frequency is the highest frequency allowed for sky wave

propagation.

Diffraction is the ability electromagnetic wave to spread when

partially obstructed by an edge, thus, creates a shadow area.

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Direct Waves commonly called the Line-of-Sight (LOS)

transmission. Waves that travels essentially in a straight

line.

Diversity is a method of combining the effects of path fading

in a radio communication system by combining two or more

received signals.

Electromagnetic Wave is the electrical energy that has escaped

into the free space. It is the energy used to propagate

signals or information through space.

Elliptical Waveguide is a waveguide used from the antenna to the

radio equipment without the addition of miscellaneous flex-

twist or rigid sections as for rectangular waveguide.

Fade Margin is provided in a system gain or sensitivity to

accommodate expected fading to ensure that the required grade

will be maintained for the specified period of time.

Fading is a phenomenon encountered in radio links that is

comparable to the increase d attenuation under severe weather

conditions and is caused by the effect of air and terrain in

radio wave propagation.

Free-Space Losses (FSL) refers to the loss of energy as the signal

travels through space unimpeded and spread out in a distance.

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Free-space Propagation is often called radio frequency

propagation or simply radio propagation. It is the

propagation of electromagnetic wave through space.

Frequency Diversity refers to the diversity reception involving

the use of carrier frequency and is separated by 500 Hz or

more having the same modulation to take advantage of the fact

that fading does not occur simultaneously on different

frequencies.

Fresnel Zone is a series of concentric ellipsoids surrounding

the straight line path between two antennas.

Fresnel Zone Clearance is the criterion to determine whether the

Earth is sufficiently removed from the radio line of site to

allow free space propagation.

First Fresnel Zone is the surface containing every point on which

the distance from the transmitter to any reflection point on

the surface and then on the receiver is 1/2 wavelengths longer

than the direct signal path.

Hop is a single transmission path from transmitter to

receiver.

Horizontal Polarization is a form of linear polarization wherein

the wave is parallel to Earths surface.

Interference means opposition. It is the colliding of energy.

Ionospheric sounding used to determine the critical frequency.

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K-Factor (K) is an equivalent radius factor, conveniently

defines the degree and direction of bending.

Magnetic Field invisible force field produced by a magnet.

Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) is the highest frequency that

can be used for sky wave propagation.

Median Receive Power (MRP) is the signal level at any given time

at the input to the first active stage of a receiver chain

whether a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) or mixer, the amount of

input signals into the receiver from the waveguide. Also known

as received Signal Level (RSL).

Microwave Line-ofSight is the point transmission of signals of

high frequency. Many cable television systems receive some

television signals from a distant antenna location with the

antenna and system connected by microwave.

Microwave Link is the point transmission of signals at high

frequency. Many cable television systems receive some

television signals from a distant antenna and system

connected by microwave relay. Microwaves are also used for

data, voice and indeed all types of information transmission.

Microwave Systems is the line-of-sight communication link of

two distant places.

Obstruction is anything that would cause interference between

a links.

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Optimum Working Frequency (OWF) is 85% of the maximum Usable

Frequency.

Path Attenuation is the loss that would be obtained between two

isotropic antennas in free space where no existing ground

influences or obstruction.

Path Clearance refers to the perpendicular distance from the

radio beam axis to obstruction such as trees, building or

terrains.

Practical Threshold is the minimum acceptable receiver equipment

input level point could not be lower than the FM improvement

threshold, but higher if it is established as an arbitrary

value of noise on the top channel.

Radio Horizon is the curvature of the Earth or Earths bulge.

Approximately four thirds that of optical horizon.

Receiver Threshold is the minimum amount of microwave carrier

input power, usually expressed in dBm which the receiver can

still accurately detect and discriminate.

Refection Point from the profile, possible reflection point is

adjusted to fall in a land area where the reflective energy

will be broken and scattered.

Reliability refers to the ability of a system or subsystem to

perform within the prescribed parameters of quality service.

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Repeater is an electronic devise that receives a weak or low-

level signal and retransmits it at a higher power, so that

the signal can cover longer distance without degradation.

Space Diversity refers to the diversity arrangement where the

output of a transmitter is fed to two or more antennas that

are physically separated by an appreciable number of

wavelengths.

Wavelength is a hollow metal tube that allows the transmission

of microwave. It permits remote installation of microwave

antenna from its equipment.

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 END NOTES

1. Communication Electronics, Frenzel L. , 2nd Edition, McGraw-

Hall Book Co., 1995

2. Electronics and Communication System, Kennedy G., 4th

Edition, McGraw-Hall Publishing Co., 1993

3. Modern Electronic Communication, Miller G., 4th Edition,

Regents/Prentice Hall, 1993

4. Engineering Considerations for Microwave Communications

Systems, White Robert F., 3rd Edition, Jemma Inc., 1987

5. Electronic Communication Systems Fundamentals Through

Advanced, Wayne T., 5th Edition, Pearson Education Inc., 2004

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