CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO LOS MIRCOWAVE LINK DESIGN

MICROWAVE LINK DESIGN

A microwave link communication is a communication which utilizes the

radio frequency band spanning 2 60 GHz. It uses microwave frequency range
exchange of information between two fixed locations by broadband that are very
distant on the earths surface. This communication system is used by most of the
broadcasting entities because it is a wide range system designed for transmitting and
receiving information/data at high speed and long distances without the need for
cables. Companies and government agencies also use microwave link
communication between nearby facilities within an organization because it makes
transactions and data sharing easier between these facilities.

A simple microwave link includes four major elements known as the

transmitter, receiver, transmission lines, and antennas. These basic components
exist in every radio communications system, including cellular telephones, two-way
radios, wireless networks, and commercial broadcasting. But the technology used
in microwave links differs markedly from that used at the lower frequencies in the
radio spectrum.

A microwave link design is a methodical, systematic and sometimes a long

process of calculating loss/attenuation and fading and fade margins, frequency
planning and interference, and quality and availability of a communication design
system.

Before a microwave link is laid out, a feasibility study mentioned above is

conducted to see if a proper line of sight is established between the stations and path
analysis for us to know whether the path link between the stations is feasible to carry
out the microwave link transmission and reception.
OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE

The main objective of this book is to create a feasible and reliable microwave
line of sight (LOS) radio link network design. The design aims to connect all the
campuses of the Our Lady of Fatima University, to provide a fast transmission of
data and collective information sharing to avoid inconvenience in transactions
between its campuses areas.

The scope of this study is to design a microwave LOS radio link between the
campuses of Our Lady of Fatima University from Valenzuela to Quezon, Pampanga,
Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija and Antipolo; look for available components needed for
the link design, analyze and utilize a least possible economic consumption of each
elements of the microwave link network. And would only involve the analysis and
computation of the whole communication systems feasibility thus would not
include much of the concern on its frequency licensing and actual design
implementation.

The link design will cover a total of 111.12 miles starting at Valenzuela
campus to each of the other campuses.

The microwave link design paper is consisting of the following information

from Valenzuela to the other areas:

Initial Planning, Site Selection and Maps

Network Topology
Microwave Links Information Listing
Path Profile of Links
Path Analysis of Links
METHODOLOGY

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Software
Initial planning Possible links
Requirements:
Topology between sites
Google Earth selection Feasibility
Google Maps Site selection outcome of the
Google Street Frequency microwave link
view planning design
Microsoft Site information
Excel listing
Path profiling
Path analysis

Figure 1.0: Methodology Process for the LOS Microwave Link Network Design

For designing an LOS microwave link network design, software such as google
earth, google maps, street view and Microsoft excel are needed. The following software
provides a virtual representation of each site to be chosen and let us present data and
information gathered through the entire process. In the process, we are to plan what
network design to adopt and calculate necessary elements needed to design a feasible and
reliable network connection or links between each site chosen. Some of the process
involved are, site selection, frequency planning, site information listing, path profiling and
path analysis. Upon gathering the required information to develop the structural elements
of the design, we can now make our conclusions based on the output gathered through the
processes and calculations conducted.
INITIAL PLANNING

The design is focused on the central region of Luzon. Since Luzon is the
largest island in the Philippines, it is the most economic and political center of the
country. The first task is to choose an area of good terrain which corresponds with
the requirements of a microwave link network design. Moderation for all parameters
are required such as not too much high mountains as it will affect the line of site of
microwave antennas to the other end and will introduce to loss, not too much plain
areas or oceans/seas as it will cause a reflection that can introduce attenuation to the
system. Citizens are also considered since they will be the one benefiting to this
microwave system.

Other factors to be considered in planning a microwave link design are the

local zoning restrictions, geological seismic data, power availability and weather
data for an area. Also cost of materials such as antenna, transmitters, receivers;
material types and specifications must be considered. We must design a microwave
system which is feasible and reliable and as much as possible not too costly to
implement.

This microwave system design aims to connect all campuses of Our Lady of
Fatima University to provide a fast transmission of data and collective information
sharing to avoid inconvenience in transactions between its campuses. Also having
an inter-connection between campuses of a university could be an edge of other
academic institutions.
MAPS

Figure 1.1: Location of the Sites (Luzon)

The chosen area for the microwave communication system is in the central
region of Luzon; Valenzuela, Quezon, Antipolo, Pampanga and Cabanatuan, Nueva
Ecija. Most of the site locations are in the cities making the terrain in the area mostly
of urban areas but plain and agricultural terrains along the path links from each of
the provinces (Pampanga, Nueva Ecija) to the cities.
SITE SELECTION

The first site is located at a vacant lot in Valenzuela city located 0.26 miles
southwest of Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela., near Pan Philippine
highway having an elevation of 30 feet. The shelter is located 132.90 feet from the
tower.

132.90 ft.

Shelter

Figure 1.2: OLFU Valenzuela Site Layout Map

 The second site is located at a vacant lot 0.07 mile behind Our Lady of Fatima
University Quezon, near Quirino highway and 1.23 miles away from La Mesa
Watershed. The shelter proposed is located 184.28 feet from the tower.

184.28 ft.

Shelter

Figure 1.3: OLFU Quezon Site Layout Map

 The third site is in Antipolo City. The site is located at a vacant lot 0.1 mile
near Our Lady of Fatima University, near Sumulong highway and Marcos highway.
The shelter proposed is 80.47 feet away from the tower.

80.47 ft.

Shelter

Figure 1.4: OLFU Antipolo Site Layout Map

 The fourth site is in Cainta, where a repeater is proposed to be constructed.
The site is a flat terrain near Imelda Avenue, Motech Cainta, and C. Villalobos
Optical Clinic Inc., and is measured to be approximately .014 square miles. The
shelter is 160.80 feet from the tower to be built.

160.80 ft.

Shelter

Figure 1.5: Repeater Cainta Site Layout Map

 The fifth site is in San Ildefonso, Bulacan located in a vacant rectangular lot
near Quijano Street and New Life Christian Church measuring approximately
0.0054 square miles. The tower to shelter distance is proposed to be 168.70 feet
away.

168.70 ft.

Shelter

Figure 1.6: Repeater San Ildefonso Site Layout Map

 The sixth site is in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija located near mistubishi motors,
Nueva Ecija Colleges and Nueva Ecija Doctors Hospital which serves as the
campus of Our Lady of Fatima University Nueva Ecija. The tower location is .09
miles away from the campus, and 113.37 feet away from the proposed shelter. .

Shelter

113.37 ft.

Figure 1.7: OLFU Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Site Layout Map

 The last site is in San Fernando, Pampanga, located at a vacant lot at the back
of the campus owned by the Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines Incorporated. The site
is also near western Bicutan cooperative market and Manila N Rd. MacArthur
Highway. The shelter proposed is 245.98 feet from the tower.

245.98 ft.

Shelter

Figure 1.8: OLFU Pampanga Site Layout Map

CONSTRAINTS/ PROBLEMS

In the ring topology, some of the problems encountered is that the path terrain
is mostly remote and obstructed mostly of highlands with trees especially from
Nueva Ecija site to Antipolo site, also along the path is a water dam which could
cause attenuation to the signal or sometimes loss. Mount Arayat may be an
obstruction near the repeater site that may affect the line of sight between Pampanga
and Nueva Ecija stations. The structure of the topology somehow has its own
disadvantages, for example a site within the system goes down, the operation of the
entire system is affected leaving two disconnected links inoperable. This topology
requires the most distance for the whole system.

In the linear bus topology, some of the problems that may be encountered are
difficulty to troubleshoot each site when fault is present. Security is low since all
connected stations receive the signal from the source station. And lastly if a station
in the middle shuts down the whole system breaks down. As of the environmental
factors, slight loss may be expected in the path link from Pampanga to Valenzuela
since some of the terrain are of rivers and fish ponds. Also, site searching in the
urban areas is difficult since most of the path is obstructed by tall buildings.

In the star topology, problems that may be encountered are of structural

topology issues. If the main station fails, the whole system fails. The performance
of the system relies on the capability of the main station. Also, the same as in linear
bus topology, slight loss of signal or attenuation of signal maybe encountered due
to terrains that consist of fish ponds and rivers along Pampanga and Valenzuela link.
And it is difficult within the urban area to find an available site for stations.
NETWORK TOPOLOGY

To cover all the sites of each campuses of the Our Lady of Fatima University,
with the least distance covered and least structural topology problem, star topology
is used. Because star topology has a centralized management which will allow the
operators to monitor and troubleshoot fault issues a lot easier within the
communication system. Also, because failure in this structure does not affect the
entire operation of the system unless otherwise the main station encounters a system
shutdown or failure.

Figure 1.9: OLFUs Consortium Microwave Link System

FREQUENCY PLANNING

Here are the following frequency bands to be used:

Lower Band (B1): 3.6 4.2 GHz
Medium Band (B2): 4.4 5.0 GHz
Upper Band (B3): 10.0 10.68 GHz

These frequencies are used on different links. The bands can be reused for
every three links. Each three links have highest, lowest and medium path length.
The highest frequency band is used for the shortest path and the lowest frequency
band is used for the longest path.

Figure 1.10: Topology and Frequency Application

FREQUENCY SPECTRUM

Lower Band Frequency: (3.6 4.2 GHz)

Figure 2.1 shows the channel allocations for the transmitter and receiver
halves of the lower band frequency chosen. The bandwidth assigned for each
channel is 30 MHz and for the specific band of 3.6 4.2 GHz, a channel spacing of
10 MHz is used.

Channel 5

Channel 6

Channel 7

Channel 5
Channel 2
Channel 1

Channel 6

Channel 7
Channel 4

Channel 2
Channel 3

Channel 1

Channel 4
Channel 3
3.6 GHz 3.9 GHz 4.2 GHz

Figure 1.11: Lower Band Frequency Spectrum

Table 1.0 shows the specific amount of frequency given for each of the
channels of the transmitter and receiver half of the lower band frequency.

Table 1.0: Lower Band Tx and Rx Channel Frequencies

LB: Transmitter (Tx) LB: Receiver (Rx)
Channel Frequency (GHz) Channel Frequency (GHz)
1 3.615 1 3.945
2 3.655 2 3.985
3 3.695 3 4.025
4 3.735 4 4.065
5 3.775 5 4.105
6 3.815 6 4.145
7 3.855 7 4.185

Medium Band Frequency: (4.4 5.0 GHz)

 Figure 2.2 shows the channel allocations for the transmitter and receiver
halves of the medium band frequency chosen. The bandwidth assigned for each
channel is 30 MHz and for the specific band of 4.4 5.0 GHz, a channel spacing of
10 MHz is used.

Channel 5

Channel 6

Channel 7

Channel 5
Channel 2
Channel 1

Channel 6
Channel 4

Channel 7
Channel 2
Channel 3

Channel 1

Channel 4
Channel 3
4.4 GHz 4.7 GHz 5.0 GHz

Figure 1.12: Medium Band Frequency Spectrum

Table 1.1 shows the specific amount of frequency given for each of the
channels of the transmitter and receiver half of the medium band frequency.

Table 1.1: Medium Band Tx and Rx Channel Frequencies

MB: Transmitter (Tx)
Channel Frequency (GHz)
1 4.415
2 4.455
3 4.495
4 4.535
5 4.575
6 4.615
7 4.655
MB: Receiver (Rx)
Channel Frequency (GHz)
1 4.745
2 4.785
3 4.825
4 4.865
5 4.905
6 4.945
7 4.985

Upper Band Frequency: (10.0 10.68 GHz)

 Figure 2.3 shows the channel allocations for the transmitter and receiver
halves of the upper band frequency chosen. The bandwidth assigned for each
channel is 30 MHz and for the specific band of 10.0 10.68 GHz, channel spacings
of 3.5, 7, 14 and 28 MHz are given but a channel spacing frequency of 3.5 MHz is
used.

Channel 10

Channel 10
Channel 5

Channel 5
Channel 8
Channel 7
Channel 6

Channel 9

Channel 8

Channel 9
Channel 6

Channel 7
Channel 1

Channel 2

Channel 3

Channel 1

Channel 2
Channel 4

Channel 3

Channel 4
10.0 GHz 10.34 GHz 10.68 GHz

Figure 1.13: Upper Band Frequency Spectrum

Table 1.2 shows the specific amount of frequency given for each of the
channels of the transmitter and receiver half of the upper band frequency.

Table 1.2: Upper Band Tx and Rx Channel Frequencies

UB: Transmitter (Tx)
Channel Frequency (GHz)
1 10.015
2 10.0485
3 10.082
4 10.1155
5 10.149
6 10.1825
7 10.216
8 10.2495
9 10.283
10 10.3165
UB: Receiver (Rx)
Channel Frequency (GHz)
1 10.3635
2 10.397
3 10.4305
4 10.464
5 10.4975
6 10.531
7 10.5645
8 10.598
9 10.6315
10 10.665