pointtopointmicrowave

Point-to-point microwave is a fixed wireless communication method that links two distant locations using microwave radio equipment and highly directional antennas. The system operates over line-of-sight paths and is commonly used to carry telecommunications traffic between sites where laying fiber is impractical. A typical link comprises two sites with microwave transceivers connected to aligned parabolic dish antennas, mounted on towers or rooftops. Devices negotiate data rate, modulation, and error correction to achieve end-to-end capacity, from a few Mbps to multi-Gbps on modern systems.

Microwave bands include licensed and unlicensed portions from roughly 6 GHz to 80 GHz. Links often use 6, 11, 18, 23, 28, 38, 60, or 70/80 GHz. Modern equipment employs digital modulation such as QPSK, 16QAM, or 64QAM, OFDM, and forward error correction to maximize throughput. Links rely on line-of-sight paths and can span from a few kilometers to tens of kilometers depending on terrain.

Performance is influenced by weather, particularly rain at higher frequencies, as well as alignment and potential interference. In many regions, licensing is required, and operators must coordinate spectrum use to avoid conflicts. Advantages include high capacity, predictable latency, and rapid deployment relative to fiber, while drawbacks include weather sensitivity, maintenance of towers, and ongoing spectrum costs.

In modern networks, point-to-point microwave provides backhaul for cellular networks, enterprise connectivity, and disaster-resilient links, serving as a complement or alternative to fiber where trenching is impractical.