Types of Microwave Data Transmission System

What is Microwave Transmission?

Sending and receiving information using a microwave is known as microwave transmission. It is the Transmission of information (voice, data, television, telephony, radio signals)by microwave signals. Microwaves are widely used for point-to-point communications....

Properties of Microwaves

It is the wave that radiates electromagnetic energy with a shorter wavelength. Microwave links consist of a Transmitting station (Tx), a Relay station or Repeaters (RPT), and a Receiving station (Rx). Microwaves travel in straight lines, so stations should be aligned to each other. Microwave links require clear LOS (line of sight ), so antennas are installed high up to avoid the interference of obstacles in their path. They do not pass through buildings, thus reducing the efficiency of inside receivers. They are unidirectional and allow multiple receivers. Receivers are added to boost the power of the signal so that it can travel a longer distance. They are also refracted by atmospheric layers thus refracted rays take more time to reach the destination than direct rays....

Characteristics of Microwave Transmission

Microwaves are unidirectional. Microwave transmission Involves line-of-sight (LOS) communication technology. Affected greatly by environmental factors like rain fading. Microwaves cannot penetrate through obstacles such as hills, buildings, and trees due to their high frequency. Signals can be degraded during Solar proton events. Atmospheric disturbances such as rain and snow can scatter microwave signals....

General Properties of Microwave Transmission

The General properties of microwave transmission are as follows :...

Process of Microwave Transmission

At first, the signal to be transmitted (baseband signal ) is processed or encoded at the transmitting station. Then it is used to modulate an intermediate carrier of 70 MHz or 140 MHz . Then the modulated signal is up-converted to microwave frequency. Then it is amplified before being fed to the antenna for radiation. Repeaters placed at several points are used to boost the power of the signal. Repeaters can be of two types i.e. Active and passive receivers....

Antennas Used for Microwave Transmission

Antennas can be defined as a transducer between guided and unguided media. It transforms energy between free space and a guided media such as cable or waveguide....

Advantages of Microwave Transmission

Cheaper as compared to Radio waves. Supports larger Bandwidth so more information is transmitted. They are used for point-to-point communication. More Antenna gain is possible. Antenna size gets reduced as the frequency is higher. Low power consumption as signals are of higher frequency. The effect of fading gets reduced by using LOS (line of sight ) propagation. Does not require any land for the installation of cables. Easy communication over rugged terrain. Communication over oceans is also possible....

Disadvantages of Microwave Transmission

The cost of equipment or installation cost is high. Susceptible to weather conditions. Eavesdropping Limited Bandwidth (between 300MHz to 300GHz)...

Applications of Microwaves

Bluetooth: In Bluetooth, Communication is done through Ultra high frequency (UHF) radio waves . Wi-Fi: In Wi-fi , data is transferred using microwave. Direct broadcast satellites: Since microwaves are able to pass through the atmosphere layer so communication is done through satellites GPS: In order to locate the positions, microwaves are used. FM Radio: Microwave transmitter and receiver is used to transfer information through a line to other and so form radio connection. Satellite T.V: Since microwaves are able to pass through the atmosphere layer so the information passes from Tv to satellite and vice versa....

Types of Microwave Data Transmission System

Microwave Transmission can be of two types:...

Terrestrial Transmission

They cannot pass through any obstacle. They Use directional Parabolic Antenna. Signals are highly focused. Line of Sight Transmission is needed i.e. their path should be free of any sort of obstacle. For long-distance transmission signal strength weakens. Repeaters are used for every 35-40 km as such....

Satellite Transmission

Microwave Relay station is placed in outer space. A satellite is launched by a rocket or space shuttle. Satellite is precisely positioned 360000 km above. Orbit speed matches Earth’s rotation speed. A satellite is stationary relative to Earth....

Microwave Propagation and Path Losses

When the signal propagates even a slight directional LOS link’s beam can cause losses in Transmission. These losses are known as path losses....

Path Reliability in Microwave Transmission

Considering all the path loss factors, we can quantify path reliability, also known as path availability. Due to poor propagation conditions, the path fails to perform and data transmitted from one end is not successfully received at the other end. So Path availability is a measurement of the path’s ability to reliably communicate data over year....

Conclusion

Microwave signals require a clear LOS (Line of sight), so for long-distance Transmission using these signals, a series of repeaters are used. The repeaters form a network known as a microwave relay network. Microwave signals can be used for over-the-horizon communications using tropospheric scatter. There has been a rapid increase in the use of microwave spectrum by telecommunication technologies. Microwave Transmission has become one of the leading technologies in the recent years....

FAQs on Microwave Transmission

1. What is meant by LOS?...