Understanding Link Budget in Radio Link Microwave Transmission System

Running head: ELECTRONICS 1
Electronics
Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

ELECTRONICS 2
Introduction
In order to solve this question, we first need to understand some concepts which are
involved in the radio link microwave transmission system. The quality of the equipment which is
being used determines the performance of any communication link. Thus, to quantify the
performance of the communication link, we need to determine what is known as the link budget.
By way of definition, the link budget is a calculation which comprises of the factors of loses and
gains that are present in the transmission lines, transmitters, antennas, as well as the environment
in which the signal is being transmitted. This will significantly assist in determining the
maximum distance that both the receiver and the transmitter can operate successfully. Each of
the antennae is composed of gains at each of their ends. These gains are added to the gains in the
system in order to provide a higher gain.
Additionally, during transmission of the signal, there are instances of free space loss.
These free space losses are subtracted. Fundamentally, the link is directly proportional to the
loses. For example, the longer the link, the higher the loses. Additionally, the shorter the link, the
lesser the loses associated during transmission. In most of the instances, the same duplex ratio
set up gets applied to both stations, for example, the transmitter and receiver stations. This
implies that the determination of the received signal level does not depend on the direction of the
signal.
Definition of terms
PRX= Unfaded Nominal Receiver Level in dBm- generally, this is the difference obtained after
addition of the antenna gains, receiver gains, and the output of the transmitter to the fixed loses
which are present on both side of the receiver and the transmitter.

ELECTRONICS 3
PTX = output of transmitter power in dBm, this is the exact amount of power in watts of a radio
frequency energy which a transmitter is able to produce at its output. It is different from radio
station power. When this power is subtracted to the loses available in the link path, then a link
will be possible.
LTX =branching loses in the transmitter, and these includes loses, which occurs in the connection
that is between the branching units, filters couplers, and waveguide.
FLTX = transmitter feeder loses of the waveguide or cable in dB
ATX = the transmitter antennae gains in dBi, the ability of the antennae to radiate in the
transmitter direction
FSL = the free space loses. These lose typically occurs by an electromagnetic wave during
proportion in a straight line via a vacuum that does not absorb energy from adjacent objects nor
reflect the energy. The free space loses on the frequency, and with an increase in the distance, r,
then the path loss will increase. It is determined in the following way
Free space loses = 20 log 10{¿)}
This can be simplified to give the following values