Designing a Microwave Communications System for you proceeds following a logical order of steps and processes.....

Step #1 : Band Selection

Selecting the right frequency band is crucial to the technical specifications and financial success of your system design. Technical specifications impact reliability and capacity and overall system cost. We follow and understand the requirements and pending regulatory proceedings that could limit or prohibit your use of a particular frequency band and your expansion and growth potential.

Step #2 : Site Selection

The site selection process determines where antennas need to be located, as well as the number of sites needed to relay a signal successfully between two points. A line-of-sight analysis is used to pinpoint obstacles and minimize the number of sites needed. Site procurement may include purchasing or leasing land, rezoning that land for tower construction, building a tower, or leasing space on an existing tower or building. We can show you the advantages of owning your own facility or co-locating in available existing sites, and can even offer sites owned or managed by Niles Radio Communications.

Step #3 : Equipment Selection

After we have chosen the required frequency band and sites, we assist you in selecting antenna and radio equipment to be used on your path. Niles Radio represents and provides many manufacturers equipment and can select from the best of breed technologies to fill your needs. Alcatel, RFS Cablewave, Andrew, Pirod are among the many that we utilize. We understand our  equipment and its effects on system reliability and performance.

Step #4 : Feasibility Analysis

Using the information gathered, we then complete a full system Feasibility Analysis including:

• a link reliability analysis
• line-of-sight path analysis
• diversity and reflection point analysis
• antenna centerline optimization

A Link Reliability Analysis determines the predicted outage time per year, and the corresponding percentage of reliability for each given path. These critical factors will determine the successful operation of your microwave system.

The Line-Of-Sight path analysis determines whether the path meets our system defined minimums for Fresnel zone clearance and is therefore usable. The Line Of Sight analysis is first performed during the site selection process and is now verified using our final site selections.

Diversity and Reflection Point Analysis, the 'black magic' of microwave path design. Many paths suffer defects such as fading, ducting, multi-path, reflection and refraction of the radio path. These defects are addressed with various techniques including path and angle diversity. Path diversity may include the use of a secondary receive antenna which is optimized to receive a signal when the primary receive path is affected by propagation aberrations that may affect path reliability.

The Antenna Centerline Optimization calculation is an extension of the Line Of Sight and Diversity Analyses'. It provides the minimum acceptable antenna centerline heights needed to ensure path clearance.

Step #5 : Field Verification

Field verification is an on-site survey reviewing the values of parameters related to each path. We pinpoint potential obstacles and determine the precise coordinates, ground elevations, and required centerlines of the microwave path.

Verifying these parameters is crucial to completion of a well engineered and designed microwave system. Accurate path data guarantees compliance with FCC regulations, promotes an interference-free environment, and can mean the difference between cost savings and costly mistakes.

Step #6 : Frequency Coordination

Frequency coordination is required by the FCC and begins when our system design is complete. An interference analysis is performed to determine frequencies that will not cause harmful interference to other existing and proposed microwave paths and satellite earth stations in the selected band.

Niles Radio Coordinates your network, or works with your frequency coordinator if government,  based on the different requirements of each service that you may fall under.

• Part 101 Services - Operation Fixed Services (OFS), Common Carrier (CC)
• Part 74 Services - Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS)
• Part 78 Services - Cable Antenna Relay Service (CARS)
• NTIA and DOD Government Operations

After frequencies have been selected, a Prior Coordination Notice or PCN letter, including the path data sheet, is sent to all existing microwave users in the area to notify them of your proposed path(s). The FCC rules give existing users 30 days to object to the technical merit or aspects of your proposal. Once the 30-day period has expired and any objections are resolved, a supplemental showing is provided that is then included with your FCC license application.

Step #7 : Licensing

After we have completed the frequency coordination process, we submit an application for operation to the FCC. All Operational Fixed (OF), Common Carrier (CC), and Broadcast Auxiliary point-to-point microwave operators are required to complete and submit Form 601 to the FCC. While we complete these forms for you, you must sign these before filing. Cable Antenna Relay Service (CARS) point-to-point microwave operators must submit Form 327. DOD services must provide a completed SF1411 to the appropriate frequency coordinator.

Your license application must be accompanied by a supplemental showing indicating that the frequency coordination process, PCN, has been completed. Once the appropriate application is filed, the FCC puts the application on Public Notice for 30 days for the public to comment. If there is no objection, and the application meets all FCC filing requirements, the FCC will grant the application.

We complete these steps for you, and follow up as required throughout the process.

Obtaining a license is not the end of your responsibilities. As the licensee you are responsible for maintaining records with the FCC after the license is granted. You must notify the FCC of any address or other administrative changes to your system, and you must submit for renewal with a timely renewal application. The current renewal period is ten years. While we can assist you with these processes too, this remains your responsibility, expired licenses can result in fines and expenses to resume operations.

The FCC further requires you as a licensee to review and comment upon or object to proposed changes to systems that might interfere with your operations. With the multitude of filings and proposed changes to systems, this is very time-consuming and can be fraught with error. We can assist you as your technical agent to manage this regulatory compliance process, ensuring that your system will not be interfered with by new or modified systems.

We can review, analyze and respond to other users coordination notices (PCN's) and filings, protecting your licensed frequencies from interference. We research systems and clearances of proposed systems that may affect your operations and answer technical or procedural questions. We can handle most issues for you without having to get you involved.

Step #8 Installation and Commissioning

Niles Radio Communications is a complete EF&I Vendor. We provide for the complete Engineering, we Furnish the compete system for you, and we Install and commission that system completely.

Microwave and Land Mobile communications systems are very complex and leave little room for error. Poorly installed and misaligned antennas, improperly matched or terminated cables, or even specifying the wrong equipment are just some of the ways in which your expensive capital investment can be rendered junk.

Our team of engineers are expert in the best of breed technologies and are fluent in the complexities of today's communications systems. We know how to turn your communications needs into a fully and efficiently functioning system. We understand the intricacies of system design, configuration and deployment into many environments. For nearly 50 years Niles Radio Communications has provided our customers  with a dedicated and specialized team of engineers and technicians to design, modify and upgrade communications networks throughout the southwest and even nationwide.

Niles Radio Communications EF&I Solutions include:

• System Installation - Whether your application is Microwave, Air to Ground or Land-Mobile, Niles Radio Communications engineers and technicians provide full turnkey services for equipment installation including radios, antennas, shelters, towers, feedline, conventional and alternative power systems.
   
• Project Management - We provide full program management for all phases of communications systems installation.
   
• Testing and Commissioning - Our services range from initial system turn-on to full service network commissioning. We conduct system tests relative to specific design guidelines.
   
• Survey and Audit - We establish project feasibility through on-site physical surveys to collect and quantify assets, potential equipment locations, cabling placement, as well as potential FCC licensing issues. We will identify collocation opportunities and determine whether new installation or collocation is in your best interest.
   
• Site Feasibility Surveys - Our engineers will visit candidate sites to perform construction surveys and make recommendations for mounting and placement of antennas.
   
• Field Systems Maintenance - Our technical and engineering team maintains your installed or newly installed systems to the highest technical standards.
   
• System Upgrades - We provide full turnkey services to assist in every phase of capacity or system upgrade for your communications network.
   
• Site Development - Site development services enable proper construction and placement of Microwave, Air to Ground or Land-Mobile equipment. These services involve determining the space, power, and cabling requirements for efficient systems installation. Our technical and engineering team works with both the customer and the landlord or building manager to provide the most cost-effective, safe, and unobtrusive deployment of radio equipment at the site. Strict adherence to local, state, and federal regulatory agency requirements in addition to Public and Occupational RF safety standards are ensured.