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How to Calculate the Distance of a Microwave Path

A well-performing microwave communication network begins with a properly conducted survey that analyzes the microwave path̵7;s characteristics to identify and mitigate all potential signal obstructions. The need for properly calculating microwave path distances has become more and more important as microwave transmission technology becomes more universally used and popular with wireless phone and data transmission requirements. Surveys can be based on available terrain for long distances or for line-of-sight for shorter distances.

Things You'll Need

Survey highlighting terrain and potential obstructions
Signal strength

Instructions

- 1
  Conduct a survey of the immediate area, and note any potential obstacles for direct signal transmission. Trees, terrain, buildings, and other structures all have the potential to cause disruption or deflection of microwave signals.
- 2
  Note the distance where you would set a receiving antenna away from the transmission source. The immediate area of this distance, generally defined as ellipses with strict arcs at the transmission and receiver points, is also known as a Fresnel zone. These ellipses represent Fresnel zones, which reflect the signal strength at any point between the transmitter and the endpoint.
- 3
  Calculate the radius of the Fresnel zone to determine how wide a reach the microwave signal will have. At its widest point, the formula for determining the radius of the fresnel zone, in feet, is 72.05 times the square root of (d/4f).
  The variable d is the distance, in miles, between the two antennas, and f is the frequency, in GHz, at which you are transmitting. Any obstructions that fall within this zone will block the signal.

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