Wireless Communications:

Microwave Fundamentals
Engr. Jefril M. Amboy

Introduction
Microwave communications arise due to the

congestion of the radio frequency spectrum.

There is an increasing demand for services as radio

technology evolves and advances rapidly.

There is a continuing trend in the use of higher

frequencies.
Today the 2, 4 and 6 GHz bands for the heart of

many communication systems.

Due to the rapid advancements and demand for

spectrum, the microwave region will soon be

congested as well.

Challenges
The use of outdated design rules adapted from old

analog systems backdrop

Growing public resistance to more radio sites

Increase in physical structures, such as wind farms

and high rise buildings

The need to provide capacity for new data services

without equivalent additional subscriber revenue.

The transition from TDM to packet-based systems
Unreliability and poor system design

In 1865, James Clerk

Maxwell predicated the
In
1887, Heinrich
Hertz
existence
of
confirmed
the predictions
electromagnetic
waves.
of Maxwell when he
discovered and generated
electromagnetic waves
and demonstrated its
existence.

History of Wireless
In 1897, Guglielmo Marconi founded the Wireless

Telegraph and Signal Company

The first practical application of wireless was in

transatlantic telegraphy
In 95 s the first commercial terrestrial point-to-point

systems were installed.

However, the lack in expertise and understanding of

radio during those times made wireless unreliable.

New thinking needs to be applied to old concepts to

revolutionize the way microwave radio networks are

planned and operated.

An electromagnetic wave consists of

time-varying electric and magnetic fields
that are perpendicular to each other. It
travels in a direction perpendicular to
both the E and M fields, hence the term
transverse electromagnetic (TEM) waves.

0 0

E
c
B

E = electric field (V/m)

B = magnetic field (T)

All EM waves are generated by moving

electric charges. Whenever a charged
particle accelerates, it radiates energy.

Antennas are used to generate radio

waves. They are basically transducers
because they convert the electrical
energy into EM radiation.

What are Microwaves?

Microwaves are electromagnetic waves
with frequencies ranging from
approximately 500 MHz to 300 GHz.

Why Microwaves?
Due to the inherent high frequency of these

electromagnetic waves, their wavelengths are too

small compared to the wavelengths of conventional
RF signals.
Thus, they are called microwaves , with the prefix

micro which means small.

Due to their high frequencies, microwave signals

propagate in space in a straight line, just like a

beam of light.
A successful transmission of microwaves requires

line-of-sight or LOS between the transmitting and

receiving ends.

Properties of Microwaves
Microwaves are electromagnetic radiation with

high frequencies and thus, short wavelength.

Microwaves travel in straight lines like beams of

light.
Microwaves can be reflected by conductive

surfaces.
The current created by microwaves travel through

a thin outer layer of a conductor.

Microwaves penetrate through the ionosphere.

What is a Microwave
Communication System?
A microwave communications system is a form of

electronic communications that uses microwaves to

transmit and receive information signals.
The simplest form of microwave communications

is a microwave link.
A microwave link is a high-frequency radio link

specifically designed to provide a signal connection

between two points.

Typical Microwave link

What is a Microwave Radio

Microwave radio in this context means a point-to-

point fixed digital links that operate in duplex

mode.
Duplex mode means that each channel consists of a

pair of frequencies for transmission and reception

They are sometimes called low-band channels and

high-band channels. The distance between the two

frequencies is called T to R spacing.
The actual RF bandwidth depend on the link

capacity and modulation scheme used.

Microwave Radio, cont.

The digital baseband modulates an analog RF

carrier and then transmitted as an electromagnetic

wave.
The transmit and receive frequencies are combined

in a single antenna using FDD, where a duplexer

provides the coupling for the two signals.

Classifications of Microwave
Communication Systems
Based on the nature of Signal
Analog
Digital
Based on Distance Covered
Short Haul
Long Haul
Based on Capacity
Narrowband
Wideband

Advantages of Using Microwaves

Due to the high frequency of microwaves, more data

can be sent, thus, increased bandwidth and higher

speeds

Due to their small wavelengths, microwave

transmission requires relatively smaller antennas

Signals are easily propagated around physical

obstacles like mountains, buildings and bodies of water

Improved directive properties reduces the risk of

interference

There is much less background noise in microwave

frequencies than at RF

Fewer repeaters are necessary for amplification

Advantages of Using Microwaves

Does not require physical facilities like cables and

thus, underground facilities are minimized

Microwave systems do not require a right of way

Less fading, and thus, increased reliability and less

maintenance
Microwave transmission does not require high

transmit power
Delay times are minimum
Minimal crosstalk

Disadvantages of Microwaves
More difficult to analyze and design circuits at

microwave frequencies
Difficult to implement measuring techniques

Conventional components behave differently at

microwave frequencies
Conventional semiconductor devices do not work

properly at microwave frequencies

Transient time is more critical
Requires the use of specialized components

Disadvantages of Microwaves
Transmission distance is limited by line-of-sight
Microwaves are easily diverted/reflected due to

their short wavelengths

Can be relatively prone to absorption and

attenuation by fog and heavy rains.

Cost of implementing the infrastructures is high

Microwave
Frequency Bands
Microwave

frequencies include a
portion of the UHF.
The microwave

frequency spectrum is
divided into different
bands according to
IEEE standards.

Band
Designation

Frequency
Range (GHz)

L band

12

S band

24

C band

48

X band

8 12

Ku band

12 18

K band

18 26.5

Ka band

26.5 40

Q band

30 50

U band

40 60

V band

50 75

E band

60 90

W band

75 110

F band

90 140

D band

110 170

Submillimeter

greater than 300