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Streamlined selection
“The µ-wave Link Approach calculator is primarily designed
to assist customers in the selection of RF equipment,” said RFS
Area Product Manager microwave antenna systems, Daniel Wojtkowiak. “Users
can play with parameters such antenna size, feeder type, and distance
between sites to determine the right product mix. They can then move
into the RFS System Design Wizard* to complete the system design in
more detail. The two Internet tools complement each other perfectly.”
(*As featured in STAY CONNECTED, 2nd quarter 2002.)
Wojtkowiak explained that link budget is used to ensure that the power
level available at the receiver (Pr) is sufficient to meet the manufacturer’s
specified power sensitivity—the minimum signal for which the receiver
will function. The µ-wave Link Approach tool calculates Pr based
on the transmitter output power, the gain of the transmitting and receiving
antennas, loss in the feeders on both sites (if applicable), free space
loss, attenuation due to rain and atmosphere, antenna polarization,
frequency, and link distance.
Each of these parameters is represented either graphically or through
clearly-defined windows. Selections may be made from RFS’s range
of microwave antennas (including the CompactLine and SlimLine families),
FLEXWELL elliptical waveguide, Overmoded FLEXWELL elliptical waveguide
and Twistflex.
Three scenarios
The tool also takes into account three different microwave system installation
configurations: cases where the radio is integrated with the antenna,
near to the antenna, and in a shelter away from the antenna. For each
scenario, the waveguide and Twistflex requirements are altered, affecting
the loss attributable to the feeder component of the system.
According to Wojtkowiak, the µ-wave Link Approach tool provides
an excellent starting point for system design. “It supplies a list
of selected components at any stage along the way and includes an on-line
help window,” he said. “Used in conjunction with the RFS System
Design Wizard, it allows streamlined design of multi-site microwave
systems. These Internet-based tools will simplify the RF design process.”
The µ-wave Link Approach tool can be accessed via
‘Software Solutions’ under the ‘Support’ menu at
www.rfsworld.com.
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