A Multichannel Microwave Radio Relay System

An 8-channel microwave relay system is described. Known to the Army and Navy as AN/TRC-6, the system uses radio frequencies approaching 5,000 megacycles. At these frequencies, there is a complete absence of static and most manmade interference. The waves are concentrated into a sharp beam and do not travel along the earth much beyond seeing distances. Other systems using the same frequencies can be operated in the near vicinity. The transmitter power is only one four-millionth as great as would be required with nondirectional antennas. The distance between sets is limited but by using intermediate repeaters communications are extended readily to longer distances. Short pulses of microwave power carry the intelligence of the eight messages utilizing pulse position modulation to modulate the pulses and time division to multiplex the channels. The eight message circuits which each AN/TRC-6 system provides are high-grade telephone circuits and can be used for signaling, dialing, facsimile, picture transmission, or multichannel voice frequency telegraph. Two-way voice transmission over radio links totaling 1,600 miles, and one-way over 3,200 miles have been accomplished successfully in demonstrations.