Microwave Communications

Vocabulary flashcards covering microwave links, line-of-sight constraints, frequency bands, and related standards and use cases.

Microwave link

A communication system that uses a beam of radio waves in the microwave frequency band to transmit information between two fixed locations.

Microwave frequency range

300 MHz to 300 GHz, which includes UHF, SHF, and EHF.

UHF

Ultra High Frequency; 300 MHz to 3 GHz.

SHF

Super High Frequency; 3 GHz to 30 GHz.

EHF

Extremely High Frequency; 30 GHz to 300 GHz.

Line of sight

The requirement that the two microwave antennas point at each other with an unobstructed visual path; distance is limited by the visual horizon and Earth’s curvature.

Maximum line-of-sight distance for microwave links

40 miles / 64 kilometers distance limitation

Point-to-point connection

A dedicated wireless link between two fixed locations.

WiMAX

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access; marketing name for microwave access, based on IEEE 802.16.

IEEE 802.16

The standard for WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).

IEEE 802.11

The Wi-Fi standard used for wireless local area networking.

Fixed location wireless service

A wireless service designed for fixed sites, requiring larger antennas and fixed installation rather than mobility.

Internal WAN

Use of fixed wireless like WiMAX to connect buildings within campuses or business parks where fiber is hard to run.

4G / 5G cellular

Cellular technologies that offer speeds in the WiMAX range; easier to install and mobile, contributing to WiMAX's reduced consumer popularity.