Frequency; Application Bench Test - RACOM RipEX User Manual

Network planning
dummy
antenna
RTU
Centre
config. PC
RTU
Fig. 3.1: Application bench test

3.2. Frequency

Often the frequency is simply given. If there is a choice, using the optimum frequency range can make
a significant difference. Let us make a brief comparison of the most used UHF frequency bands.
160 MHz
The best choice when you have to cover a hilly region and repeaters are not an option. The only fre-
quency of the set of options which can possibly make it to a distant valley, 20 km from your nearest
point-of-presence, it can reach a ship 100 km from the shore base. The penalty you pay is tremendous
– high level of noise in urban and industry areas, omnipresent multi-path propagation, vulnerability to
numerous special propagation effects in troposphere etc. Consequently this frequency band is suitable
for low speeds using robust modulation techniques only, and even then a somewhat lower long-term
communication reliability has to be acceptable for the application.
350 MHz
Put simply, character of this band is somewhere between 160 and 450 MHz.
450 MHz
The most popular of UHF frequency bands. It still can get you slightly "beyond the horizon", while the
signal stability is good enough for 99% (or better) level of reliability. Multi-path propagation can be a
problem, hence high speeds may be limited to near-LOS conditions. Urban and industrial noise does
not pose a serious threat (normally), but rather the interference caused by other transmissions is quite
frequent source of disturbances.
900 MHz
This band requires planning the network in "microwave" style. Hops longer than about 1 km have to
have "almost" clear LOS (Line-of-sight). Of course a 2–5 km link can handle one high building or a
30 RipEX Radio modem & Router – © RACOM s.r.o.