Dispersion Signatures, a Statistically Based, Dynamic, Digital Microwave Radio System Measurement Technique

Outage in digital microwave radio systems during multipath fading is highly correlated with the channel amplitude dispersion. This characteristic is exploited in a new digital microwave radio system measurement technique which yields dispersion signatures. These dispersion signatures can be readily applied to assess the effects of time varying channels on digital radio equipment. Thus, dispersion signatures can be used for in-service monitoring of equipment operation during actual fading. Routine maintenance assessment and laboratory evaluation of digital microwave radio equipment can also be readily carried out. The laboratory evaluation results can be used for system design both with and without diversity.