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Quest Training

Microwave Link Planning & Design Training Course

Covers planning, designing and optimizing point-to-point microwave links for transmission networks and mobile backhaul, so connections stay reliable.

RFMC · Radio Frequency & Microwave CommunicationsAll Levels#2794ClassroomEnglish , Arabic
Duration
5 Days
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Free substitution at any time · 30+ days' notice: full refund minus 10%. Cancellation policy

Sectors:Telecommunications & Satellite TechnologyCategories:Radio Frequency & Microwave Communications

Course Overview

The Microwave Link Planning & Design Training Course provides practical knowledge and engineering methodologies for planning, designing, evaluating, and optimizing microwave radio links used in telecommunications transmission networks. It focuses on the technical principles required to establish reliable point-to-point microwave connections that support mobile backhaul, enterprise connectivity, and transport network infrastructure. The course examines frequency band selection, path profiling, line-of-sight assessment, antenna positioning, link budget calculations, and radio equipment configuration. Participants learn how terrain, obstacles, atmospheric conditions, rain attenuation, interference, and equipment characteristics influence link performance, availability, and capacity. Particular emphasis is placed on link engineering calculations, including free-space path loss, fade margin, receiver sensitivity, antenna gain, and expected received signal levels. Participants also explore Fresnel zone clearance, multipath fading, frequency coordination, channel bandwidth, modulation schemes, and adaptive modulation techniques used to improve transmission efficiency and service reliability. Through practical calculations, planning exercises, and realistic network deployment scenarios, participants develop the skills required to evaluate proposed microwave paths, select appropriate equipment, assess link feasibility, and prepare technical documentation for installation, commissioning, and ongoing network optimization.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the operating principles and applications of microwave transmission in telecommunications networks.
  • Identify microwave frequency bands, channel arrangements, bandwidth options, and their engineering implications.
  • Evaluate proposed microwave paths using terrain profiles, line-of-sight analysis, and Fresnel zone clearance.
  • Calculate link budgets using transmit power, antenna gain, feeder losses, free-space path loss, and receiver sensitivity.
  • Assess fade margin, atmospheric attenuation, rain fading, and other factors affecting link availability.
  • Select appropriate antenna configurations, radio equipment, and transmission parameters for different link requirements.
  • Determine suitable modulation schemes, channel bandwidths, and capacity configurations.
  • Evaluate interference risks, frequency reuse, and frequency coordination requirements.
  • Estimate link availability and understand the relationship between path characteristics, reliability, and capacity.
  • Apply microwave planning tools and interpret path profiles, engineering reports, and simulation results.
  • Develop practical link design recommendations that meet technical and operational requirements.
  • Prepare microwave link planning documentation to support implementation, commissioning, and performance verification.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for telecommunications professionals involved in microwave transmission planning, radio network engineering, transmission design, deployment, and maintenance. It is particularly relevant to organizations operating mobile backhaul networks, fixed wireless infrastructure, and point-to-point radio transmission systems. Microwave Planning and Design Engineers. Transmission and Backhaul Network Engineers. RF Engineers seeking to develop microwave engineering skills. Telecommunications Network Planning Engineers. Radio Network Deployment and Implementation Engineers. Microwave Installation and Commissioning Engineers. Telecom Field Service and Maintenance Engineers. Network Operations Center (NOC) Engineers and Supervisors. Telecom Project Engineers and Technical Project Managers. Technical professionals responsible for transmission performance, availability, and network expansion.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain microwave propagation principles and the role of microwave links in telecommunications transport networks.
  • Select suitable frequency bands and channel configurations for different deployment scenarios.
  • Assess line-of-sight conditions and evaluate Fresnel zone clearance using terrain and path data.
  • Calculate microwave link budgets and estimate received signal levels.
  • Determine appropriate fade margins and evaluate the impact of propagation conditions on link reliability.
  • Assess rain attenuation, multipath fading, and other propagation-related impairments.
  • Select suitable antenna sizes, radio configurations, and transmission parameters for defined link requirements.
  • Evaluate channel bandwidth, modulation schemes, and capacity trade-offs.
  • Identify potential interference sources and understand frequency coordination requirements.
  • Interpret microwave planning software outputs and engineering path profiles.
  • Estimate link availability using appropriate propagation and reliability models.
  • Produce technical design documentation and recommendations for microwave link deployment and optimization.

Course Outline

Day 1

Microwave Transmission Fundamentals and Network Architecture

  • Principles of microwave radio transmission and electromagnetic wave propagation.
  • Applications of microwave links in mobile backhaul, fixed networks, enterprise connectivity, and transmission infrastructure.
  • Point-to-point microwave systems and their main components.
  • Microwave frequency bands, regulatory considerations, channel spacing, and spectrum allocation.
  • Radio terminals, outdoor units (ODUs), indoor units (IDUs), antennas, feeders, and waveguides.
  • Digital microwave transmission and the relationship between bandwidth, modulation, and capacity.
  • Ethernet and TDM interfaces, synchronization, and traffic transport considerations.
  • Network topologies, including point-to-point, ring, and protected transmission configurations.
  • Protected and unprotected links, redundancy, and basic network resilience principles.
  • Key design inputs: distance, terrain, capacity, availability, latency, and service requirements.
  • Practical Exercise: Review a proposed microwave backhaul deployment, identify the required system components and design inputs, and recommend an appropriate link architecture based on capacity and service availability requirements.
Day 2

Path Planning, Line of Sight, and Fresnel Zone Analysis

  • Microwave path planning methodology and the information required before design begins.
  • Collecting site coordinates, antenna heights, terrain elevation data, and environmental information.
  • Developing and interpreting path profiles for proposed microwave links.
  • Assessing optical and radio line of sight.
  • Fresnel zone fundamentals, first Fresnel zone clearance, and obstruction assessment.
  • Earth curvature and effective Earth radius considerations in long-distance path design.
  • Evaluating terrain obstacles, buildings, vegetation, and potential future obstructions.
  • Determining antenna heights and identifying practical tower installation constraints.
  • Understanding reflection points, multipath conditions, and potential propagation challenges.
  • Introduction to microwave planning software, digital elevation models, and terrain analysis tools.
  • Evaluating alternative paths when the initial design does not meet clearance requirements.
  • Practical Exercise: Analyze a hypothetical microwave path profile, assess line of sight and Fresnel zone clearance, and recommend antenna heights or an alternative route to achieve an acceptable path.
Day 3

Microwave Link Budget and Propagation Engineering

  • Structure and purpose of a microwave link budget.
  • Transmitter output power, antenna gain, feeder and connector losses, and free-space path loss.
  • Receiver sensitivity, received signal level, noise considerations, and system gain.
  • Calculating expected received signal levels using link budget equations.
  • Fade margin and its role in maintaining reliable transmission.
  • Rain attenuation and its significance at higher microwave frequencies.
  • Multipath fading, atmospheric refraction, and anomalous propagation conditions.
  • Effects of frequency, path length, antenna diameter, and polarization on link performance.
  • Understanding modulation-dependent receiver thresholds and their relationship to capacity.
  • Introduction to link availability and annual outage calculations.
  • Identifying the dominant propagation impairment and evaluating mitigation options.
  • Practical Exercise: Develop a microwave link budget using specified transmitter power, antenna gains, path distance, operating frequency, and equipment losses, then calculate the expected received signal level and fade margin.
Day 4

Frequency Planning, Capacity Design, and Interference Management

  • Frequency selection based on path length, capacity requirements, spectrum availability, and propagation conditions.
  • Channel bandwidth, channel spacing, and frequency arrangement principles.
  • Frequency coordination and the importance of interference assessment.
  • Co-channel and adjacent-channel interference and their impact on system performance.
  • Frequency reuse and basic principles of interference-aware network planning.
  • Antenna polarization, cross-polarization discrimination, and interference reduction.
  • Modulation schemes, adaptive modulation, and capacity variation under changing radio conditions.
  • Link capacity planning for Ethernet traffic, mobile backhaul, and enterprise services.
  • Radio configuration, transmit power settings, and the trade-off between capacity and availability.
  • Protection configurations, including 1+1 arrangements and other supported resilience mechanisms.
  • Reviewing interference constraints and selecting practical mitigation measures.
  • Practical Exercise: Evaluate a microwave link requiring a defined traffic capacity, identify potential frequency and interference constraints, and recommend a suitable channel configuration, modulation strategy, and protection arrangement.
Day 5

Design Validation, Availability Optimization, and Implementation Readiness

  • Reviewing the complete microwave link design against technical and operational requirements.
  • Evaluating path clearance, link budget, fade margin, frequency selection, and capacity assumptions.
  • Estimating link availability using suitable propagation models and applicable engineering criteria.
  • Identifying availability risks arising from rain attenuation, multipath fading, interference, and equipment limitations.
  • Selecting mitigation measures, including antenna adjustments, larger antenna diameters, frequency changes, and path redesign.
  • Understanding adaptive modulation, automatic transmit power control, and their role in link performance where supported.
  • Preparing engineering design reports, path profiles, link budget sheets, and equipment configuration records.
  • Establishing pre-installation verification requirements and acceptance criteria.
  • Coordinating with site acquisition, civil works, tower teams, power systems, and network operations.
  • Defining commissioning measurements, performance checks, and documentation requirements.
  • Reviewing common design errors and their consequences for reliability, capacity, and operational cost.
  • Practical Exercise: Prepare a microwave link design package for a proposed telecommunications site, including path feasibility, Fresnel zone assessment, link budget, frequency and capacity recommendations, availability considerations, equipment selection, and commissioning acceptance criteria.

Upcoming Dates

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Rome · 13 – 17 Sept 2027 · Classroom

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