Estimation of RSL of Over-Water Microwave Line of Sight Transmission Link Using Modified Two-Ray Model

Microwave transmission links are mostly across land and transmission losses are relatively minimal. Conversely, transmission losses across water bodies are high and transmission is difficult to estimate. For a line-of-sight (LOS) link, specular reflection or ducting can affect the propagating signal of interest. The study has proposed a model to determine the influence of water levels on receive signal level (RSL) of Yeji-Salaga LOS microwave link which is on a large water body. The developed RSL model for Yeji-Salaga LOS microwave link was used to calculate 360 RSL values in dBm. The values were then computed into monthly averages to obtain 12 months data. The predicted values were subsequently compared with the experimental data monitored on active link. It was observed that the accuracy of the model’s prediction was good with highest error being 15.3332 and lowest being 3.3961. The study has demonstrated that the rise and fall in water levels positively and negatively influence both the path loss and RSL values.