Microwave Radio Masterclass

About this seminar

  • Authoritative – dispels industry myths
  • Practical – tutorial examples done using excel-based Microwave calculator
  • Real-world – real-world insights and experiences shared based on legacy and current network experiences
  • In-depth theory – theoretical concepts and insights explained in detail linked to propagation research and field experiences

Why a seminar on a mature technology?

  • Microwave technology is growing, with exciting new developments in mmWave and TeraHertz bands
  • Design standards are outdated, so it is essential to understand the limitations of the formulas and design rules coded into planning software
  • Many myths abound on the internet, and even in mainstream white papers, that are blatantly wrong
  • To apply the new and exciting concepts introduced in modern microwave equipment, a solid foundation in both analogue and digital microwave theory is essential

If you want an up-to-date, authoritative overview of microwave radio that dispels the many myths that have become mainstream in the industry, then this virtual seminar is for you.

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Event Details

Fundamentals of Microwave 

  • Introduction to MW
    • History of microwave
    • What’s new?
    • Fundamentals of the microwave radio signal
    • Latency benefits and calculations
    • The electromagnetic and RF spectrum
    • Safety of microwave signals
    • Relative benefits of microwave compared to other transmission solutions
    • A comprehensive guide to current spectrum terminology in the industry 
  • Planning considerations
    • Link design considerations from UHF to mmWave
    • Site and path planning
    • High level spectrum planning
    • Digital terrain models including SRTM
    • Network topologies
    • Site acquisition and build
    • Repeater types repeaters including civil engineering considerations (road, tower etc.)
    • Passive repeater engineering design and planning (back-to-back and billboard)
    • GIS (graphical information systems) basics and coordinate system considerations
    • Establishing line-of-sight in practise
    • Practical discussion on site and path surveys including for non-LOS equipment 
  • Homework group exercise to develop a site survey template

 

 

Speakers:

    In-depth overview of propagation aspects

    • Review homework

    • Microwave propagation
      • Understanding analogue propagation and dispelling the pencil beam myth
      • The effect of the atmosphere on radio transmission
      • Really understanding k-factor and Fresnel zones
      • Thermal and dispersive fading and their countermeasures
      • Expert assessment of blackout fading and atmospheric ducting
      • Handling reflections especially over water
      • Rain fading and the dangers of statistics
      • Practical discussion on the types of fading and how to overcome them

    • Practical examples

    Hardware Considerations

    • Hardware
      • Understanding the history of transmission standards (PDH, SDH, ATM)
      • The benefits of Carrier Ethernet
      • Overview of the system components and building blocks of a MW radio system
      • Comparison of current digital modulation schemes and how they affect bandwidth efficiency
      • Band, carrier (BCA) and link aggregation and use of co and cross channel dual polarisation methods
      • Key radio features (adaptive equalisation, FEC, XPIC, ATPC)

    Antennas and interference 

    • Antenna considerations for MW planning
      • Understanding antennas and reversing 50 years of conventional wisdom
      • Antenna characteristics and what gain really means
      • Practical application of Radiation Pattern Envelope (RPE) diagrams
      • Importance of Return Loss
      • Understanding near and far field operation
      • Antenna types and the real benefit of a high-performance antenna
      • Comparing antenna types and why a microwave dish is usually parabolic
      • Practical considerations for comparing antennas including dual-band feeds
      • Practical advice for planning, installing and maintaining antennas
      • Field based discussion of choosing the right cabling, waveguides, radomes and accessories 
    • Interference (the hidden gremlin)
      • Understanding the realities of interference in digital systems
      • Standards bodies and frequency regulation
      • Types of licensing
      • Frequency bands and frequency planning
      • Bucking (high-low) site planning and interference and why it matters
      • Understanding and calculating nodal and overshoot interference
      • Overview of techniques to optimise frequency re-use 
    • Includes class exercises and tutorial group homework

     

     

    Detailed link design and final tutorial 

    • Link design and the elusive five-nines
      • How to interpret and use the main radio planning standard ITU-R P.530
      • Understanding the difference between availability and performance as defined by the ITU and how to apply this to packet-based networks
      • Path, equipment and network reliability issues
      • How to handle obstacles in real-world designs
      • Setting antenna heights in context ITU rules
      • Redundancy schemes to make the transmission system truly carrier grade 

         Complete tutorial and review answers

     

     

     

      Event Details
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