Microwave Link Planning
The Wray Castle Microwave Link Planning course is structured as a thorough step-by-step guide through the practical aspects of the link planning process. A series of exercises, students will design and plan a microwave link network to reinforce the learning gained in the theory sessions. Availability and reliability, path profiling and clearance criteria, power budgets, rainfall and multipath fading, diversity techniques, and frequency planning are all the key topics covered.
The course focuses on the ITU-R models for calculating rainfall fade depth, the impact of the melting layer, selective fading (signature method), enhancement or “up-fades” and space and frequency diversity improvement. Other models mentioned in this course are the Crane rainfall model, the Vigants – Barnett multipath model and the dispersive fade margin (DFM) concept. Methods for the conversion of DFM into signature method parameters are provided.
Developments in Microwave radio technology are also examined. Every effort is being made by equipment vendors to increase the capacity and throughput of fixed link transceivers. Multilevel modulation schemes are explained. Cross-polar interference cancellation (XPIC) and MIMO techniques, adaptive modulation, header compression, channel bonding, and high capacity E band radios are also all explained.
It is important for the link planner to understand antenna characteristics and performance. The course explains how to understand antenna radiation pattern envelopes (RPEs), the concept of antenna gain, cross-polar discrimination (CPD), front to back ratio and beamwidth.
This course provides students with the confidence, knowledge, practical skills and tools to plan all types of fixed radio links. This includes backhaul links, access links, and core network transmission links. Click here to find out more.
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