5G mm Wave 28GHz Band Link Budget-n257


A link budget is a comprehensive accounting of all gains and losses in a communication system, and it is essential for designing and analyzing the performance of a wireless link. The 28 GHz band (n257) in 5G, often referred to as millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum, presents unique challenges and opportunities due to its high frequency. Let's break down the link budget for a 5G link operating in the 28 GHz band (n257):

Transmit Power (Pt):

  1. Base Station Transmit Power (Pt_BS):
    • The power transmitted by the base station, usually measured in watts or dBm.

Transmit Antenna Gain (Gt):

  1. Base Station Antenna Gain (Gt_BS):
    • The gain of the base station's antenna, measured in dBi.

Free Space Path Loss (FSPL):

  1. Free Space Path Loss (FSPL):
    • The loss due to the spreading of the signal over distance in free space. It is calculated using the Friis transmission equation:
      ����=20log⁡10(�)+20log⁡10(�)+20log⁡10(4��)FSPL=20log10​(d)+20log10​(f)+20log10​(c4π​)
      where �d is the distance, �f is the frequency, and �c is the speed of light.

Path Loss (PL):

  1. Additional Path Loss (PL):
    • This includes additional losses due to obstacles, buildings, and atmospheric conditions.

Receive Antenna Gain (Gr):

  1. User Equipment Antenna Gain (Gr_UE):
    • The gain of the user equipment's antenna, measured in dBi.

Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP):

  1. Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP):
    • The power radiated in a specific direction relative to an isotropic radiator, calculated as the sum of Pt and Gt:
      ����=��+��EIRP=Pt+Gt

Channel Characteristics:

  1. Rain Attenuation, Atmospheric Absorption, and Other Environmental Factors:
    • Considerations for mmWave frequencies include rain attenuation and atmospheric absorption. Environmental factors impacting signal propagation must be accounted for.

Receiver Sensitivity (Sensitivity_UE):

  1. User Equipment Receiver Sensitivity (Sensitivity_UE):
    • The minimum power level at which the user equipment can reliably decode the received signal.

Receive Power (Pr):

  1. Receive Power (Pr):
    • The power received at the user equipment, calculated as:
      ��=����−����−��+����Pr=EIRPFSPLPL+GrUE

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):

  1. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):
    • The ratio of the received signal power to the noise power, crucial for determining the quality of the received signal.
  1. Link Margin:
    • The additional power beyond the minimum required for reliable communication, providing a safety margin to account for uncertainties and variations in the link.

Factors to Consider:

  • Rain Fade Margin:
    • Additional margin to account for signal attenuation due to rain, a critical consideration in the mmWave bands.
  • Antenna Misalignment:
    • Precise antenna alignment is crucial in mmWave systems. Misalignments can result in increased path loss.
  • Doppler Shift:
    • Due to the potential for high user mobility, the link budget must account for Doppler shifts that can affect signal quality.
  • Multipath Fading:
    • mmWave signals are susceptible to multipath fading, where signals take multiple paths to reach the receiver, leading to constructive or destructive interference.
  • Beamforming Gain:
    • In mmWave systems, beamforming can be used to focus signals directionally, providing additional gain in the intended direction.

It's important to note that the specifics of the link budget can vary based on the deployment scenario, antenna characteristics, and environmental conditions. A comprehensive link budget analysis is crucial for the successful deployment and optimization of 5G mmWave networks in the 28 GHz band (n257).