RL (RADIO LINK)

A. Definition of Radio Link

A Radio Link (also called microwave link)
is a communications system that uses a beam of
radio waves in the microwave frequency range
to transmit information between two fixed
locations on the earth. They are crucial to many
forms of communication and impact a broad
range of industries. Broadcasters use radio links
to send programs from the studio to the
transmitter location, which might be miles away.
Picture 1 A Set of Radio Link Radio links carry cellular telephone calls between
cell sites.
Radio Link is a transmitter and receiver with different frequencies so that
communication can take place in full duplex. In the transmission system with
Radio Link, the initial data is changed by an interface / modem then modulated
to the transmitter and with the receiver processed otherwise. This tool serves as
an intermediary medium between 2 (two) or more main aviation communication
equipment.
Each radio unit consists of a transceiver (a device that can both send and
receive communication) and a highly directive antenna. This means that the
antenna only (>99%) emits or receives power in the direction it is pointing. The
two radio units are therefore mounted so that they are directed towards each
other with no obstacles, such as buildings, in between them that can hinder or
disturb the transmission. As the connection is very directive it enables very high
signal to noise ratio and thereby high data rates.
Radio links are quick to deploy as they do not require any physical cable
to be layed down in the ground. This makes it in many cases a more cost-
efficient solution than fiber.
Depending on frequency, the maxium communication range varies
between a few meters to hundreds of kilometers. The primary downside is that
radio links require direct so called line-of-sight for optimum performance.
Compared to fiber the connection is less stable as bad weather can interrupt the
connection, in particular at higher frequencies. By proper system design this can
be mitigated and most radio links have an availability of over 99.999% (i.e. a
downtime of less than 55 min per year).
Most radio links for telecommunication operate at microwave frequencies
in the range of 6 23 GHz. However, capacity increases with frequency. Links
operating in the traditional frequency bands are capable of delivering up to 500
Mbit/s while at millimeter wave (e.g. in the E-band) capacities beyond 10 Gbit/s
are possible.

B. Four Major Elements in Radio Link

A simple one-way radio link
includes four major elements: a
transmitter, a receiver, transmission
lines, and antennas. These basic
components exist in every radio
communications system, including
cellular telephones, two-way radios,

Picture 2 Major Elements in Radio Link wireless networks, and commercial

broadcasting. But the technology used in radio links differs markedly from that
used at the lower frequencies (longer wavelengths) in the radio spectrum.
Transmitter
In a radio link the
transmitter produces a
microwave signal that carries
the information to be
communicated. That
informationthe inputcan
be anything capable of being
sent by electronic means,
such as a telephone call,
Picture 3 Transmitter and Receiver Radio Link
television or radio programs,
text, moving or still images, web pages, or a combination of those media. The
transmitter has two fundamental jobs: generating microwave energy at the
required frequency and power level, and modulating it with the input signal so
that it conveys meaningful information. Modulation is accomplished by varying
some characteristic of the energy in response to the transmitters input.
Receiver
In the receiver, information from the microwave signal is extracted and
made available in its original form. To accomplish this, the receiver must
demodulate the signal to separate the information from the microwave energy
that carries it. The receiver must be capable of detecting very small amounts of
microwave energy, because the signal loses much of its strength on its journey.
Transmission Line
Transmission line carries the signal from
the transmitter to the antenna and, at the
receiving end of the link, from the antenna to the
receiver. In electrical engineering, a transmission
line is anything that conducts current from one
point to another. Lamp cord, power lines,
telephone wires and speaker cable are common
transmission lines. But at microwave frequencies,
those media excessively weaken the signal. In
their place, engineers use coaxial cables and,
Picture 4 Transmission Line
especially, hollow pipes called waveguides.
Antenna
On the transmitting end, the antenna
emits the microwave signal from the
transmission line into free space. Free space
is the electrical engineers term for the
emptiness or void between the transmitting
and receiving antennas. It is not the same
thing as the atmosphere, because air is not
necessary for any type of radio transmission
(which is why radio works in the vacuum of

Picture 5 Antenna
outer space). At the receiver site, an antenna
pointed toward the transmitting station collects the signal energy and feeds it
into the transmission line for processing by the receiver.
Antennas used in radio links are highly directional, which means they
tightly focus the transmitted energy, and receive energy mainly from one specific
direction. This contrasts with antennas used in many other communications
systems, such as broadcasting. By directing the transmitters energy where it's
neededtoward the receiver- and by concentrating the received signal, this
characteristic of microwave antennas allows communication over long distances
using small amounts of power.

C. Type of Radio Link

Point to Point Link (PP Link)
Point-to-point (PP) links are
typically used within
telecommunications core networks and
as broadcast contribution and
distribution links. They may also be
used as Small Cell Backhauling within
local access networks to connect access
Picture 6 Point to Point Link
points such as Radio LAN hotspots and
femto cells to the core network.
Point to Multipoint Link (PMP Link)
Point-to-multipoint (PMP)
links are normally used within access
networks, enabling network
operators to provide services without
the need to install conventional
cables. A point to multipoint network
topology provides a communication
Picture 7 Point to Multipoint Link route (on a single radio channel for
each sector) from one central point to a number of terminals where users are
located. Each user location may be served directly from the central location or
via one or more radio repeaters.
D. Advantages of Radio Link
Distances between switching centers are less.
Radio systems do not require a right-of way acquisition between
stations.
Due to their high operating frequencies, microwave systems can carry
large quantities of information.
It requires small antennas
Minimum crosstalk exists between voice channels.
Few repeaters are necessary for amplification
Increased reliability and less maintenance are important factors.

E. Disadvantages of Radio Link

Measuring techniques are difficult to perfect and implement at
microwave frequencies.
It is more difficult to analyze and design circuits at microwave
frequencies.
Transient time is more critical.
It is necessary to use specialized components
Microwave frequencies propagate in straight line, which further limits
their use to LOS applications.

F. Manufacturers or Brands of Radio Link Equipment

In no specific order, these include:
NEC Hughes ATI Rohde &
Fujitsu Siemens Marconi Schwartz
Alcatel Phillips Marelli
Codan GE Nokia
Kuhne GT&E Ericsson