User's Manual

Exalt Installation and Management Guide
EX-i Series GigE (FDD) Digital Microwave Radios
202675-008 99
2016-06-01
Troubleshooting
This section provides information regarding troubleshooting of common issues and alarms on these
radios. Exalt Digital Microwave Radio systems are designed by Exalt’s expert engineers with
extensive experience through multiple generations of microwave radio design. These new-generation
systems contain extensive diagnostic tools, alarm indications, and troubleshooting aids. And, as
compared to other systems in their class, are easier to install, maintain, and troubleshoot. The GUI
provides information to aid in troubleshooting (see
Diagnostic Charts Page).
Contact Exalt Customer Care for further assistance with issues with your Exalt radio and with
suggestions on how the radio and documentation can be improved.
General Practices
Troubleshooting a microwave radio link can be a complex task. Approach troubleshooting as a process
of elimination, and first determine which portions of the system are operating properly.
In a vast majority of cases, failures or poor performance of microwave links is attributed to something
other than the microwave radio hardware. In this respect, the back-to-back bench test (see
Back-to-
back Bench Testing) is very important to determine if radio hardware is operating properly and
eliminate many variables in the troubleshooting process.
If a back-to-back bench test fails, then the radio hardware is either broken or the radios are improperly
configured. Upgrade the radio to the most current release of firmware, and/or reset the radio to its
critical factory settings, following the quick start guide instructions and those in
Configuration and
Management, helps to confirm if configuration issues cause failure. The most common issues with
microwave radio links are:
• An improperly terminated antenna or transmission system
• Multipath propagation
• RF interference
• Path obstruction
• Misaligned antenna
• Faulty antenna
• Improper grounding
• Insufficient link margin in the design/implementation
• Moisture in the transmission system (antenna feed and/or RF cable)
If the radio link has been operating without issues and is exhibiting new poor performance behavior or
becomes completely inoperative, the troubleshooting process should pay close attention to any
conditions that may have changed between the time when the system was working without issue and
the time when the issues started.
Also, it can be helpful to compare some performance parameters of the system before and after the
presence of issues. Often the source of the issues can be determined by thoughtful consideration of
changes, such as:
• Changes in weather, including high winds
• Changes made to the radio equipment, transmission system, or connected equipment
• New radio systems or electronic equipment the nearby radio or transmission system