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Microwave radio networks remain an important part of critical communications infrastructure, providing reliable connectivity where performance, resilience and availability are essential.
As equipment reaches end of life (EOL), network upgrades present an opportunity to do more than replace ageing components. They allow operators to review existing infrastructure, identify opportunities to improve performance and resilience, and plan for future requirements while making the most of equipment that remains fit for purpose.
At RAFT Systems, our approach to microwave network upgrades combines technical design, practical engineering experience and careful consideration of operational risk.
Recently, our team conducted a proposal walkthrough for a microwave network upgrade, reviewing the existing system arrangement and a proposed solution designed to modernise key components while retaining proven elements of the infrastructure.
The proposal focused on replacing end-of-life radio frequency units (RFUs), branching components and control and management equipment, alongside upgrading an existing 1+0 link arrangement to 2+0.Rather than replacing the entire system, the approach concentrates on targeted improvements to the components that require renewal, helping to balance modernisation with continuity and practicality.
Key elements of the proposed upgrade include:
This approach demonstrates the value of assessing the complete network arrangement before deciding which components need to change.
Channel planning is an important consideration when upgrading a microwave radio system. The proposed solution incorporates three non-adjacent cross-polar channels, with the aim of improving channel separation, making more effective use of available spectrum and reducing branching losses.
The proposed arrangement also offers a potential improvement in link availability compared with an adjacent-channel solution, subject to the stated radio configuration and propagation assumptions.
The design assessment indicated availability figures of 99.9998% compared with 99.9977% for the adjacent-channel arrangement, based on 32QAM and 153–188 Mbps per channel. These figures exclude anomalous propagation conditions, such as temperature inversion and ducting.
Careful consideration of the channel plan, equipment configuration and associated losses is therefore an important part of developing a solution that meets the network's performance requirements.
The existing antenna infrastructure is proposed for retention, providing a practical starting point for the upgrade.
However, the proposal also considers the potential benefits of higher-performance antennas to improve XPIC performance. Cross-polar discrimination (XPD) describes an antenna's ability to reject signals on the opposite polarisation, making it a relevant consideration in systems that use cross-polar techniques.
For the optional antenna enhancement, antennas offering 40 dB XPD are being considered in place of the existing 30 dB XPD specification.
Evaluating these options allows the potential benefits to be weighed against the additional scope and cost, helping inform decisions about the most appropriate solution.
For operational communications networks, the technical design is only part of the challenge. The transition from the existing arrangement to the proposed configuration must also be carefully planned.
The proposed approach considers several measures to help manage implementation risk:
These considerations help ensure that the installation methodology, equipment changes and operational requirements are assessed together, rather than treated as separate activities.
Delivering microwave network upgrades requires an understanding of both the equipment and the practical demands of implementing changes to operational infrastructure.
RAFT has experience installing similar systems across a range of environments, including defence, port and coastal communications applications, as well as long-distance microwave paths over water.
This experience informs our approach to technical proposals, from evaluating existing arrangements and selecting appropriate equipment through to considering installation constraints, contingency measures and commissioning requirements.
A successful microwave network upgrade is about more than introducing new hardware. It requires a clear understanding of the existing system, a technically appropriate design and a realistic plan for implementing the changes while managing operational risk.
By retaining suitable infrastructure, targeting end-of-life components and evaluating opportunities to improve resilience and performance, network operators can make informed decisions about how best to modernise their communications systems.
At RAFT Systems, we bring these considerations together to develop practical, carefully planned solutions tailored to the requirements of each project.
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