Microwave Systems Engineering Training

This Microwave Systems Engineering Training course is intended to provide the participants with a sound understanding of Radio Transmission Systems Engineering and to allow them to understand the major engineering considerations involved when planning and deploying digital microwave radio transmission networks.

At the end of this Microwave Systems Engineering Training course, you will understand the essentials of radio systems engineering and radio link planning and will be able to design and manage microwave networks such that the best network topologies are selected and paths are designed for the lowest possible operations and maintenance costs. A description of the transmission network of RAN & UTRAN is given as an example and a basic transmission rate hierarchy is provided as well.

• Microwave Remote Sensing Training
• Microwave Antenna Principles and Practice Training
• Microwave Training Fundamentals
• Antenna & Array Fundamentals Training
• Antenna Engineering, Theory, Analysis, and Design Training
• Distributed Antenna System Training (DAS)

Transmission Networks

• Short-haul microwave networks
• Long-haul microwave networks

Transmission Rates Hierarchy

• PCM basics
• PDH network
• SDH network
• ATM basics

Network Topologies

• Tandem configurations
• Star configurations
• Mesh configurations
• Star-Mesh configurations
• Mixed networks
• Transmission networks for Cellular
• GSM:  PCM over Optical; PDH, SDH
• GPRS:  IP over Ethernet and Frame Relay
• UMTS:  Frames over ATM
• LTE: IP-based traffic, the MBPN network

Brief Introduction to Wireless Radio Communications

• Wireless systems design challenges
• The wireless channel
• Propagation models
• Large scale propagation
• Small scale propagation
• Rayleigh model
• Ricean model
• Nakagami model
• Wireless multipath channels
• Spatial channel models and antennas
• Space-Frequency Diversity

Microwave Systems Engineering Training – Modulation Schemes

• AM systems
• FM systems
• Digital Wireless systems
• Line codes
• ASK, FSK, PSK, MSK, QPSK, and QAM modulation schemes presentation
• Modulation techniques over fading channels

Key Radio Fundamentals

• Equalization principles
• Fundamental principles of channel coding
• Error correction & error detection principles
• Introduction to Forward Error Correction Coding (FEC)
• Block coding
• Convolutional coding
• Interleaving
• Diversity principles
• Multiple Access Techniques
• FDMA
• TDMA
• Direct sequence spread spectrum principles
• Automatic Transmission Power Control (ATPC)
• Errorless Vs. Hitless Receiver Switching

Transmitter Receiver Characteristics

• System Gain
• Dispersive Fade Margin
• Radio Thermal Noise
• Signal to Noise ratio S/N
• Receiver sensitivity
• Modulation and S/N
• Design principles

Antenna System Considerations; Transmission Lines

• Antenna classifications
• Antenna types
• Standard antennas
• High-performance antennas
• Extra high-performance antennas
• Transmission lines basics
• Antenna electrical characteristics (Gain, Antenna Lobes, Beam width,  Antenna Polarization, VSWR)
• Antenna system accessories (Antenna Dehydrators, Antenna Grounding, Antenna Fields)

Antenna Installations

• Feeder cables
• Customer library
• Safety regulations
• Mounting connectors
• Sealing connectors
• Antenna spacing and direction requirements
• Site Installation planning and procedures
• Site Installation documentation
• Earthing and lightning protection
• Roxtec installation
• Antenna system testing
• Practical exercises

Microwave Propagation

• Microwave propagations in Fading Free conditions
• Fading Mechanisms in MW networks
• Ground reflections
• Radio meteorological parameters

Microwave Systems Engineering Training – MW Radio Planning

• Propagation and prediction methods
• Frequency planning and interference calculations
• Far interference planning principles
• Radio spectrum and channel arrangements

Quality over MW links

MW Links Design

• Access and Short haul radio parts
• Marconi LH system description
• Case studies

Tools for Planning

• Planning with ATPC
• TEMS link planner tool
• Planning examples – case studies

Passive Repeaters – Planning Considerations

• Outdoor
• Indoor

RF Exposure Principles

• Outline the fundamental characteristics of a radio wave
• Describe the exposure quantities (field strength and power density)
• Understand dosimetric quantity Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
• Describe the guidelines relating to electromagnetic field exposure
• Outline the major organizations setting RF exposure limits (ICNIRP, IEEE)
• Describe RF exposure assessment methods and standards
• Estimate the RF exposure from an antenna
• Describe how to achieve a safe installation
• Transmission Network Commissioning
• MW Network Management Principles
• Real MW links and Vendor Technology Elements

Transmission MW Links for Cellular Networks

• Capacity planning considerations
• Case studies

Microwave Systems Engineering Training Course Wrap-Up