MLinkPlanner 2.0
Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Microwave Link Planning Software
User Manual
Download in PDF format
Propagation Models for PtP and PtMP links
In this menu, the user can select a method, which will be used to calculate the microwave link performance, as well as some parameters of this method.
Figure 5. Propagation Models
ITU-R P.530-17 Multipath Fading Model
Minimum value of the Flat Fade Margin, dB
Maximum value of the frequency diversity improvement factor for non-selective outage probability
Maximum value of the frequency diversity improvement factor for selective outage probability
Maximum value of the space diversity improvement factor for selective outage probability
Maximum value of the space and frequency diversity (four receivers) improvement factor for non-selective outage probability
Maximum value of the space and frequency diversity (four receivers) improvement factor for selective outage probability
Calculate selective fading
Ignore selective fading
Rec. ITU-R P. 453-9
Rec. ITU-R P. 453-14
The minimum allowable fade margin, dB
If the fade margin is less than this value, the calculation will be stopped (dashes will appear in the report in place of the calculated values).
Limiting the maximum value of the frequency diversity improvement factor for non-selective outage probability
Limiting the maximum value of the space diversity improvement factor for selective outage probability
Limiting the maximum value of the space diversity improvement factor for selective outage probability
Limiting the maximum value of the space and frequency diversity (four receivers) improvement factor for non-selective outage probability
Limiting the maximum value of the space and frequency diversity (four receivers) improvement factor for selective outage probability
Calculate selective fading
Ignore selective fading
Use Rec. ITU-R P. 453-9 refractive gradient data
Use Rec. ITU-R P. 453-14 refractive gradient data
Vigants-Barnett Multipath Fading Model
Minimum value of the Flat Fade Margin, dB
The minimum allowable fade margin, dB
If the fade margin is less than this value, the calculation will be stopped (dashes will appear in the report in place of the calculated values).
Rain Attenuation
Rec. ITU-R P.530-17
Crane
- Select Crane 1996 rain region
None
Rain attenuation calculation in accordance with Recommendation ITU-R P.530-17
Rain attenuation calculation according to the Crane method, taking into account 1996 rain regions. To view rain regions for the US and World, press I.
Do not calculate rain attenuation.
Gaseous Attenuation
Rec. ITU-R P.627-11
None
Calculate of gaseous attenuation according to recommendation ITU-R P.627-11
Do not calculate gaseous attenuation.
Diffraction
Rec. ITU-R P.526-15 (Complete Bullington method or Diffraction over multiple isolated cylinders method)
Deygout (the principle edge method with correction Rec. ITU-R P.526-11)
Epstein-Peterson
Calculation of diffraction attenuation by the Rec. ITU-R P.526-15 (complete Bullington method or Diffraction over multiple isolated cylinders method)
Calculation of diffraction attenuation by the Deygout (the principle edge method with correction Rec. ITU-R P.526-11)
Calculation of diffraction attenuation by the Epstein-Peterson method
Vegetation (according to Rec. ITU-R P.833-9)
A1 and Alfa parameters
Parameters A1 and Alfa for calculating attenuation in vegetation in accordance with ITU-T Rec. ITU-R P.833-9. Press i for information.
Planning Point-to-Point Links
Creating PtP Link
When sites have been created, you can create one or several microwave links.
To start working with point-to-point links, open the Point-to-Point item on the main menu.
Figure 6. Point-to-Point main menu
First, it is necessary to include the specification file of the equipment family that is supposed to be involved in the project.
Click on the Add a new product family button in the Point-to-Point menu to include the product family to your project. To download the product family files from our website, click on the Download product family files button, and a link will open in the browser. We are continually updating the files with equipment parameters, but if such equipment not on our website, then first create the equipment specification file (see Equipment Editor).
Toolbar for PtP:
- Create a new PtP link.
- Select / Deselect all PtP links.
- Delete all selected PtP links.
- Summary report for all active PtP links in Microsoft Excel
Tx power general limits for all PtP links
not use
not use general limits
limit Tx power to max level, dBm
Maximum Tx power for transmitters of all PtP links in this project, dBm From the general limit that is set in this menu and the limit that is set in a particular link, the most stringent limit is selected during the calculation.
limit EIRP to max level, dBm
Maximum EIRP for transmitters of all PtP links in this project, dBm
From the general limit that is set in this menu and the limit that is set in a particular link, the most stringent limit is selected during the calculation.
To create a PtP link, click on the Create a new PtP link button at the top of the Point-to-Point menu, and the program will prompt you to select the link ends, Site A and Site B, from the sites created before. Then this link will appear in a point-to-point tree and a panel will open with its parameters.
Figure 7. PtP link parameters
PtP Link Toolbar:
- Create a new PtP link with the same parameters.
- Move this link up.
- Move this link down.
- Delete this link.
- Select / deselect all types of modulation and coding.
- Change the site A.
- Change the site B.
- Position the map with the link at the center of the screen.
- Generate the path profile for the link.
- Link report.
- Display the product specifications for the selected bandwidth in the form of a datasheet, which can be saved in PDF, Word, or Excel formats.
- Copy link parameters to the clipboard
- Paste link parameters from the clipboard
The required link can be selected from the list in the Point-to-Point menu or by double-clicking on it on the base map.
Path Profile
A path profile is a vertical sectional view of the terrain created by a plane passing through both ends of the link. The path profile includes terrain elevation data, building and tree heights, and boundaries of water bodies.
MLinkPlanner creates path profiles using the following GIS data:
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Terrain elevation data 2-30 m plane resolution (Default DEM). For more details on data sources see Appendix 1. "Terrain Elevation Data". It is also possible to use custom DEM in GeoTIFF format with any plane resolution. In order to use custom DEM, specify the path to it in the Settings menu and check the corresponding box. File format requirements are outlined in Appendix 2 "Custom DEM Format".
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Global tree cover 1 arc sec (about 30 m) resolution data with information about tree heights. Data sources: High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change Published by Hansen, Potapov, Moore, Hancher et al. Department of Geographical Sciences University of Maryland https://earthenginepartners.appspot.com and Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology https://landscape.jpl.nasa.gov/
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Global 3D buildings data from OpenStreetMap project database. Data sources: Our buildings database, which synchronizes with the global OpenStreetMap (OSM) database.
All of these types of geodata are downloaded for the desired area automatically as needed; there is no need to worry about preloading the geodata.
Creating the Path Profile with GIS
In the created link, click the button Generate path profile. A warning dialog box will appear indicating that the path profile data will be changed. You should specify the average building floor height (typically 3 m) in this window. The OSM project database usually contains information about the number of floors of the buildings rather than their height in meters. Building height in the path profile will usually be based on the number of floors and floor height. You will also have to specify the height of the buildings for which OSM project database does not have information. Such buildings will be highlighted in red in the path profile.
If a building affects the qualitative characteristics of the path profile as a critical obstruction, check the building’s height with third party sources to verify its exact height. The user can override the forest height information obtained from the Global Forest Change records and set a new value to be used in a path profile.
Figure 8. Path Profile Creating Settings
Click OK, and after a couple of seconds, the information about terrain elevation and clutter characteristics along the path profile will appear in the table cells. The view of the path profile will be displayed at the top right panel.
Figure 9. Path Profile
Clutter:
Green: trees
Orange: buildings whose height or number of floors can be found in the OpenStreetMap database
Red: buildings whose height and a number of floors are missing in the OpenStreetMap database
Editing the Path Profile
Terrain elevations can be edited manually in the corresponding cells of the elevation table. To edit terrain elevations for multiple cells, select the required cells and enter a new value. The new elevation will be saved to all selected cells, and the information about old elevations will be automatically removed. Only end values of this range will remain. To delete an entire row in the table, click on the triangle icon at the beginning of the row to select either a single row or multiple rows (by dragging the mouse or holding the Shift key and using the up or down arrow keys) and press Delete.
If you highlight a segment on the path profile by clicking and dragging the left mouse button, the segment will also be highlighted in the terrain elevation table, clutter table, and on the base map. Likewise, if you select rows in the elevation or clutter table, it will highlight the corresponding section in the path profile view and on the base map.
Figure 10. Highlighting the path profile segment
The clutter also can be edited manually in the corresponding cells of the clutter table. To delete an entire row in the table, click on the triangle icon at the beginning of the row to select either a single row or multiple rows (by dragging the mouse or holding the Shift key and using the up or down arrow keys) and press Delete.
Creating the Path Profile Manually
The application allows you to create a path profile by manually specifying all elevations on the path.
The information about forest, buildings, and water bodies can be entered based on the base maps, which you can open right in the application. Many online services allow you to view cartographic materials. They all differ in such parameters as map scale, coverage, and displayed objects. Depending on the specific area where the link is located, you may find one or several services useful. It is also important to select a proper scale of the map. More information about using custom base maps can be found in the application.
After analyzing the basemap along the line of the path profile, you can enter a boundaries of forests, buildings, and water bodies. To do that, on the base map, right-click on the point on the link path where you want to enter the start of a clutter object segment. A context menu will open where you can select corresponding types of the segment. When the ends of a segment are marked, a number field will appear that you must fill in to indicate forest or building height. On the path profile, the forest is highlighted in green, building in orange, and water area in blue. Table entries for clutter and water information will be created automatically. You can delete any segment by right-clicking on it and selecting the corresponding action in the context menu that appears.
Start a Building Segment
Start a Tree Segment
Start a Water Segment
End Segment
Delete the Nearest Segment
Move Site A
Move Site B
Specify the beginning of the building segment on the path profile.
Specify the beginning of the tree segment on the path profile.
Specify the beginning of the water segment on the path profile.
Specify the end of any segment.
Delete any nearest segment.
Move site A to the specified location.
Move site B to the specified location.
The following must be observed when creating a path profile manually:
1. The first elevation point must have a zero distance.
2. The path profile must have at least two points.
3. A clutter object must not extend beyond the last terrain point.
For more information about creating a path profile of microwave links, visit our YouTube channel.
Entering Parameters of PtP Links
In the drop-down lists, select the product family from those previously connected to the project then select the equipment model (product), channel bandwidth, and frequency band. After that, general information about the selected equipment, its image, channel bitrates, and basic energy parameters for each type of modulation supported by the equipment will appear below.
Below is the description of all input parameters that may be necessary to specify. The required input parameters are determined by the application automatically based on the equipment configuration and calculation requirements.
Frequency, MHz
Configuration
Diversity
Branching Type
Polarization
Frequency Spacing, MHz
Mean frequency of the microwave link, MHz
The number of working and reserve trunks
Diversity configurations (None, Space Diversity, Frequency Diversity, Comb-4Rx)
Hot Standby (HSB) /XPIC (Cochannel)/HSB+XPIC/MIMO 2x2
Polarization type (Vertical or Horizontal)
The frequency spacing between TX channels for frequency diversity. Required if frequency or combined diversity is selected.
Antenna, feeder, and branching parameters for the Main and Diversity paths (when using space diversity):
Antenna Type
Antenna Gain, dBi
Vertical Antenna Beam Width, Degrees
Antenna model; information only
Antenna gain, dBi
Antenna 3 dB beam width in a vertical plane; use only for reflection analysis. The default value is 3 degrees.
Antenna Height, m
Antenna installation height relative to ground level, m.
You can also change the antenna height in the profile window.
Feeder Length, m
Feeder Specific Loss, dB/m
Branching Loss, dB
Additional Loss, dB
Total loss, dB
Maximum Tx power limit, dBm
Maximum EIRP limit, dBm
Feeder length to the primary antenna; the default value is 0 m.
Feeder specific loss; default value is 0 dB/m.
Branching loss at Tx and Rx (if any); the default value is 0 dB.
Additional loss; default value is 0 dB.
Total loss, dB. The calculated value.
Maximum Tx power for transmitters of this link, dBm
From the general limit that is set in the PtP menu and the limit that is set in a particular link, the most stringent limit is selected during the calculation.
To remove the maximum limit, highlight the value and press the Delete key, then the inscription "None" will appear.
Maximum EIRP for transmitters of this link, dBm
From the general limit that is set in the PtP menu and the limit that is set in a particular link, the most stringent limit is selected during the calculation.
To remove the maximum limit, highlight the value and press the Delete key, then the inscription "None" will appear.
PtP Link Error Performance and Availability Prediction
To do the link performance prediction, click the Report button. The calculation will be performed only for those types of modulation that are marked in the table as active.
You can switch between the short report view and the full report view.
The short report displays only calculation results; the full report displays input parameters, calculation results, path profile drawing, and path profile diagram on the map.
You can print the report or save it as PDF, Microsoft Word, or Excel.
Figure 11. Full PtP Link Report
You can also save summary information for all Point-to-Point links in an Excel spreadsheet. Click the "Summary Report" button on the Point-to-Point main menu and an Excel spreadsheet will open.
Figure 12. MS Excel Summary Report for Point-to-Point links
Objectives
The objectives for PtP links are set in the Point-to-Point main menu item. Here, you need to specify your approach to determining the reliability of the microwave link, and, if necessary, enter additional link parameters to calculate the performance and availability objectives.
Figure 13. Objectives
Total Annual Time Below Level
Outage times are reported for the worst month and annually without considering the fade duration. The annual rain outage is simply added to the annual multipath outage for the total annual outage. This assumes that the conditions for high-intensity rain and severe multipath fading are different and the two fading mechanisms do not occur at the same time. Outage probabilities can be expressed as availability (99.95%) or unavailability (sec).
Use of Error Performance Objectives (ITU-R F.1668) and Availability Objectives (ITU-R F.1703)
In this case, Severely Errored Seconds are calculated for the worst month as a ratio (SESR) and in seconds (SES). Availability is reported as a ratio per year; unavailability is reported in seconds per year. It is assumed that a rain fade will always last longer than 10 consecutive seconds, and therefore, the rain outage is always classed as unavailability.
For the calculation of the objective, you have to specify if the link is part of an International or National Link and select among the relevant subcategories—Long Haul, Short Haul, Access. If the line consists of several links, for the distribution of the objective in accordance with the ratio of the length of the link to the total length of the line, specify the first and last sites of the line. The program will calculate the total length of the line, taking into account its topology, and when calculating the objective, will be distributed among the links in proportion to their length.
Optimizing Antenna Heights
MLinkPlanner can calculate the height of main and diversity antennas using different clearance criteria.
To calculate antenna heights, select the desired link, then click the Optimizing Antenna Heights icon on the top toolbar.
The general procedure for determining the minimum required antenna heights on a link is to verify the required clearance of the first Fresnel zone for various expected values of the ratio of the equivalent Earth radius to the real radius (k-factor). Different methods have different requirements for the clearance and for the k-factor value.
Figure 14. Antenna height optimization panel
Optimizing Antenna Heights According to Rec. ITU-R P.530-17
Climate
Temperate climate / Tropical climate
Type of Obstruction
Obstruction is extended along a portion of the path / Single isolated path obstruction
Criteria
Standard / Less conservative criteria. It may be necessary for frequencies less than about 2 GHz to avoid unacceptably large antenna heights.
Standard k-factor
The median value of the k-factor (equivalent Earth radius factor) for standard atmosphere. Can be modified by the designer.
Extreme k-factor
The lowest expected (minimum) value of the k-factor, computed from ITU-R Rec. P.530-17, as a function of path length. Can be modified by the designer.
Part of Fresnel Radius
Part of the First Fresnel ellipsoid that is required to be free of any obstruction for the appropriate value of the k-factor. Is automatically determined depending on the Type of Climate, Type of the Obstruction, and Criteria from above, but can be modified by the designer.
In a space diversity configuration, the minimum heights of secondary antennas are calculated without taking into account climate and extreme k-factor, as per Rec. ITU-R P.530-17.
Minimum antenna height is calculated with consideration for clutter (forest and buildings) located on the path profile.
Once the required preferences are selected, click Optimize and the minimum antenna height will appear on the left. The height of the response antenna will be fixed at the current value. The path profile image will display the criterion used to calculate the antenna height. Click Apply to change the antenna height according to the calculated value. To discard the calculated value, click Cancel.
Figure 15. Path profile showing a triggered criterion
Reflection Analysis
Reflection analysis allows the user to identify possible specular reflection points on the link path profile and evaluate the application of various specular reflection reduction methods.
To open the Reflection Analysis window, click the Reflection analysis button on the main window. The left-hand part of the panel will be disabled; to exit this mode, use the main menu.
k-factor
k-factor, for which the reflection points are searched
It is recommended that reflection points be determined for large k-factor values (at least 10).
Polarization
Vertical /Horizontal
To reduce the effect of the reflected wave, it is recommended to select vertical polarization.
Reflecting Surface Type
Sea water
Fresh water
Wet ground
Very dry ground
Ice
The type of surface from which the reflection occurs. Each of the above surface types have their own values of Relative dielectric constant and Electrical conductivity.
Relative Dielectric Constant
Relative dielectric constant is a dimensionless parameter. It’s automatically determined depending on the Reflecting surface type from above, but can be modified by the designer.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical conductivity [ohm‐1 m‐1]. It’s automatically determined depending on the Reflecting surface type from above, but can be modified by the designer.
Consider Clutter on the Reflected Paths
If this check-box is active, then when the incident or reflected rays intersect with ground obstacles (forest or trees), these rays will be screened.
The path profile will display all possible direct and ground-reflected rays for the Main-Main paths and in a space diversity configuration for the Main-Diversity and Diversity-Main paths. The table below will show the distances to and clearance at each of the reflection points.
You can view Relative Rx Power vs. k-factor chart for any reflection point and any of the Main-Main, Main-Diversity, or Diversity-Main paths by clicking on the desired point in the table. Note that you need to specify the beam width for each of the antennas in Site A and Site B to calculate Relative Rx Power vs. k-factor chart.
In addition to Relative Rx Power vs. k-factor, you can also display Time Delay vs. k-factor chart. On this plot, the relative signal delay in nanoseconds between the direct and reflected signal is displayed for each of the Main–Main, Main–Diversity or Diversity–Main paths. If the reflected signal delay is greater than 10-20 nanoseconds, performance problems on high capacity systems can occur.
Figure 16. Reflection analysis
Estimation of Specular Reflection Reduction without Using Space Diversity
If there is specular reflection along the path and you are not going to use space diversity, the application can estimate the effectiveness of the following methods for reducing the effect of the reflected ray on the resulting signal for systems without space diversity recommended in Rec. ITU-R P.530-17:
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Increase of path inclination
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Shielding of the reflection point
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Moving of the reflection point to poorer reflecting surface
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Reduction of path clearance
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Choice of vertical polarization
In most cases, these methods (except for the last one) are limited to selecting the primary antenna height on the right or left.
Estimation of Specular Reflection Effect with Space Diversity
The most efficient way to eliminate the effect of specular reflection is to use space diversity techniques. The most often used technique is vertical space diversity. MLinkPlanner allows you to determine receive antenna heights with enough spacing to maintain an uncorrelated direct and reflected signal so that when the received signal level for the primary antenna is zero (in fade), the signal is near the peak for the diversity antenna and vice versa.
The right-hand part of the window displays the heights of diversity antennas determined based on optimum antenna spacing as per Rec. ITU-R P.530-17. I.e. the case when received signal levels at the primary and secondary antennas must display a maximum difference (maximum and minimum) across the full range of the k-factor to minimize the effect of specular reflection on the received signal level.
To estimate the effect of space diversity, perform the following steps:
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Select a space diversity configuration for both Site A and Site B.
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Select a reflection point for each path using the mouse button.
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Select one of the optimum heights of the secondary antenna from the series in the right section of the window using the mouse button.
You will then view the received signal level for each antenna on the chart. By changing the antenna height, you can see how the received signal level will change.
In a space diversity configuration, if the vertical spacing between antennas is less than 200 times the wavelength (which is a common rule for reducing the effect of multipath propagation on the performance indicators), a warning will appear next to the spacing on the profile and its value in meters (i.e., 200 times the wavelength) will be displayed.
To determine heights of primary and secondary antennas in a space diversity configuration, the following conditions must be met:
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The maximum difference between the received signal levels of the primary and secondary antennas must be observed across the full range of k-factor to eliminate the effect of specular reflection (if any).
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The primary and secondary antennas must be at least 200 times the wavelength to eliminate the effect of multipath propagation.
The primary and secondary antennas must satisfy the clearance criteria described in Rec. ITU-R P.530-17.