Needs assessment
Needs assessment of our customers is the first step of the consulting and design department of microwave links and telecommunications and radio equipment at Iran Microwave. In this stage, it is necessary, after a face-to-face assessment and completing the necessary checklists, based on the obtained data, to fully understand the needs of the customers. What operational processes are performed in this step
Free consulting for needs assessment of your organization
In the process of designing and implementing a microwave link, the first and most critical stage is accurate consultation and assessment of the customer’s needs
The consultation process for designing a microwave link includes stages that require careful consideration of customer needs and their alignment with existing technical conditions
At this stage, the consultant must accurately analyze the type of link application, the required bandwidth, and sensitivity to delay.
Microwave application type
The first question asked in the consultation session is: What is your purpose for setting up a microwave link? The application of the link will determine the design path, equipment selection, and link settings
Common applications of microwave links include
Bandwidth Requirement | Delay Sensitivity | Explanations | Application Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Medium | Connecting to the global or internal network | Internet (Data) |
| Medium to High | Medium | Connecting different offices of a company or organization | Corporate Data Transfer |
| Medium to High (depending on image quality) | Low | Sending images from surveillance cameras | Video Monitoring |
| Low to Medium | Very High | Transferring voice calls over the network | VoIP (Internet Telephony) |
| Low | Low | Sending data from sensors and PLCs | Industrial Data Transfer |
The required bandwidth
After determining the type of application, the next step is to calculate the required bandwidth. This factor determines what type of equipment and what level of frequency permissions should be obtained
For example
For VoIP with 50 simultaneous users, approximately 1 to 2 Mbps is sufficient
For monitoring 10 HD cameras, the required bandwidth is about 20 Mbps
For connecting organizational offices with a high volume of file exchange, up to 100 Mbps or more may be required
In consulting, this section is examined with questions such as the following
How many users do you have
What is the type of internet usage
Do you transfer large files
In what quality do the cameras record
Operating Time
The operating time of a microwave link should be determined based on the customer’s needs and technical conditions. Some links may be used temporarily and for a short period, while others may be designed for a longer period and with the need for permanent support
| Operating Time | Consulting Recommendation |
| Less than 6 months | Use of lightweight and rental equipment |
| ۶ months to 2 years | Purchase of mid-range equipment with portability |
| More than 2 years | Long-term design with stable and reserved equipment |
In consulting, this section helps to determine
Should the equipment be portable
How much initial investment is reasonable
Is there a need to design with the possibility of future upgrades
Examining Origin and Destination Points
One of the completely technical sections in consulting is examining the geographical and environmental status of the origin and destination points. This examination includes the following
- Geographic coordinates (via GPS or map)
- Equipment elevation from the ground level
- Presence of obstacles like buildings, mountains, trees
- Straight line distance between the two points
- Direct visibility (LOS – Line of Sight)
Without a thorough examination of these items, it’s impossible to correctly design the link. For example
If direct visibility doesn’t exist between two points, a repeater or path change is needed.
If the distance is long (more than 30 kilometers), equipment with higher power should be used.
Tools used in this stage
Google Earth specialized RF Planning software
Topographic maps
An example of a location review table
| Direct line of sight status | Obstacles in the path | Coordinates | Height above ground (m) | Point |
| No | Tall buildings | ۳۵.6892N, 51.3890E | ۴۵ | Site A |
| Yes | No obstacles | ۳۵.6990N, 51.4000E | ۶۰ | Site B |
And at the end: Iran Microwave, after visiting the site and thoroughly examining the problem, will perform all the necessary operations for you so that you can fully carry out your activities at the lowest cost.
To contact the consulting and design department for microwave links and telecommunications projects, please complete the form below and send it to us