Protection Ratio Calculation Methods for Fixed Radiocommunications Links

Abstract

This paper describes three methods of calculating required interference protection ratios for Fixed Link radiocommunications receivers, using ITU-R prediction methods. The Initial Planning Method in common use in Australia can be used to predict the required fade margins for Fixed Links operating at frequencies where the dominant fade mechanism is multipath. The Detailed Link Planning Method can be used to determine more rigorous fade margin requirements for specific Fixed Links with known system and path parameters. The updated ITU-R Method for Small Percentages of Time has the potential to be implemented in a semi-automated way, without reference to topographic information or path profiles. Input of averaged parameters is replaced with specific known parameters at Fixed Link path locations