Class Telecommunication Project II

The scope of this unit encompasses the study of Microwave Radio Links, as a fundamental element of Telecommunications Networks. Technical elements are addressed, namely, attenuation, reflection, dispersion and fading, as well as the strategies to mitigate them, in a normative ITU-R context. Moreover, the design component arises as an element that links the physical phenomena with the normative context and the concepts of service quality, reliability, and cost benefit analysis. The pertinence of this unit is the clear: (i) Microwave Links are still widely used in Telecommunications Networks, in both temporary and permanent connections, namely, when the latter are placed in difficult access terrain, areas with low client density, or unstable geopolitical scenarios. (ii) The physical challenges of Microwave links are in all similar to those of Satellite Links.

Content description

1. Introduction to Microwave Radio Links
   1. Motivation and objectives;
2. Propagation:
   1. Physical mechanisms propagation and attenuation of links;
3. Fading:
   1. Causes and models for the description of this phenomenon
4. Passive and Active Relay Stations
   1. Framing and application;
5. Diversity, combination and equalization
   1. Strategies for mitigating the effects of fading;
6. Digital Modulations
   1. Modulations commonly applied in microwave links, and their respective error rate analysis;
7. Design of a Microwave Link
   1. Analysis of the technical constrains;
   2. Cost/benefit analysis;

The teaching methodology is divided into two components: (1) A strong theoretical component, where the fundamental concepts are lectured, and application problems solved; (2) Execution of a microwave radio link project. The evaluation components are then the following:

Project (50% of the final grade)

- Designing of a microwave radio link, with a route defined by the teacher, applying the subjects taught during the lectures,  to be delivered by the end of the semester.

- Minimum classification: 10.0 points.

Theoretical test (50% of the final grade).

- Test, at the end of the semester, encompassing all of the subjects taught in the lectures, or exam in the dates stated in the general regulations.

- Oral exam (from which students with high leves of attendance and participation are exempt from)

- Minimum classification: 10.0 points.

The conditions for the access to the Special Date Laboratory Exam is regulated by the Regulation for Curricular Units With Strong Laboratorial Component.

• Salema, Carlos - Feixes Hertzianos. 3ª edição. Lisboa :IST Press, 2011. Capa Mole. 978-972-8469-21-4.
• Smith, David R. - Digital Transmission Systems. 3rd edition, US: Springer, 2004. Capa Dura.  978-1-4419-8933-8.