The standardization of international microwave radio-relay systems

Microwave radio-relay systems using line-of-sight paths now form a substantial part of the international trunk network, both for multichannel telephony and for television. In order that such systems shall provide satisfactory transmission over long distances they must conform with certain minimum performance standards. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the interconnection of radio-relay systems with one another and with line systems, certain common characteristics are necessary. The establishment of links across national frontiers also requires the use of equipment with similar characteristics in each country. The paper outlines the work of the International Radio Consultative Committee (C.C.I.R.) and the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (C.C.I.T.T.) in defining preferred characteristics for microwave radio-relay systems using line-of-sight paths, and discusses the technical and other reasons for the particular values adopted. The need for preferred characteristics for radio-relay systems using tropospheric-scatter propagation is also referred to.