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358 Hybrid Diversity
358 Hybrid Diversity
358 Hybrid Diversity
Network Engineering
Overview
Hybrid Diversity is even more effective than Quadruple Diversity, a more costly, complex scheme requiring four receivers and dual antennas at each site and thus no longer recommended for todays high-performance errorlessly switched 1:1 digital microwave radiorelay links even in long over-water paths traversing adverse geoclimatic regions. Quadruple diversity is, however, very effective when deployed in MegaStar 155 1:N multi-line digital microwave links with IF combiners. Three- and four-antenna Hybrid Diversity protection schemes meet ITU-R performance objectives with less complexity, providing higher MTBFs and MTBOs at much lower cost. The following sidebar provides a summary of some of Hybrid Diversitys main characteristics and features:
Page 1 of 5 7/2004
R. U. Laine
The sketch below shows a three-antenna ((TTRR-TR/TR) hybrid diversity protection arrangement providing diversity improvement factors higher than Space Diversity alone, and equal to or greater than Quadruple Diversity. The single antenna, shown at the left in the sketch, is best located at the higher elevation site with the dual vertically spaced antennas assigned to the lower elevation site.
DATA IN
DATA IN
DATA OUT
DATA OUT
The radio terminal in this three-antenna Hybrid Diversity arrangement located at the single (usually the higher elevation) antenna site is configured for standard frequency diversity (TTRR) protection. This single antenna is easily located on the side of a microwave building or stub tower, which is a great advantage since this higher elevation site is often mountainous and thus more exposed to the elements with more difficult access and tower constraints.
TR (A)
TR (A) TR (B)
TTRR
k = 4/3 k = 4/3
Radios at the dual antenna (preferably the lower) end of the path are in a TR/TR arrangement Network Engineering with each TR connected to one of the separated antennas. Two-way diversity improvements (reductions in outage) are provided primarily by the spaced antennas. Very close T-T/R-R Paper frequency separations can be assigned with little reduction in hybrid diversitys improvement factors. The Fresnel pattern resulting from the addition of the direct (wanted) and reflected (interference) rays forms closely spaced nulls at the low end of the path and a wide null pattern at the high end of the path. The optimum vertical antenna spacing is small at this low-end site, and space antennas at this end provides an anti-correlative fade characteristic between the main and diversity receivers in both directions of the path. Very wide spacings are necessary if deploying dual antennas at the high-end site, assignments neither recommended nor required in Hybrid Diversity links. The lower site is best configured with dual antennas optimally spaced for anti-correlative fading between the diversity receivers. Separate TRs are assigned to the upper and lower antennas that provide Space Diversity protection against multipath fade activity in both directions of the path. Since the specular reflection point on a high-low path is always much closer to this lower site, a very close diversity antenna spacing of perhaps only 3-8m(10-25ft) provides the required anticorrelative protection from outage caused by specular ground or water reflections. If the paths were configured with Quadruple Diversity (not recommended except in MegaStar 155 1:N links), dual antennas with much greater spacing (10-20m) would be required at the higher elevation site. And it is at these higher elevation, often mountainous, sites that the construction of tall towers to accommodate specular reflection multipath fade activity is difficult and costly.
Page 3 of 5 7/2004
R. U. Laine
In neither arrangement (Hybrid or Quadruple Diversity) are the Space and Frequency Diversity Improvement Factors multiplied i.e. Iqd or Ihd Isd x Ifd.
Vertical polarizations are recommended on high-clearance paths with a >0.2 0 grazing (reflection) Engineering angle at an exposed reflection point. V-pol lowers the amplitudeNetwork of the specularly reflected multipath signal to further reduce link outage . Paper
Page 5 of 5 7/2004
R. U. Laine