FWA link budget: CPE gain, window loss, fade margins

Understanding the FWA Link Budget

A link budget calculates whether the wireless signal between the cell tower and CPE has sufficient strength for reliable broadband delivery. The calculation starts with transmitter output power and antenna gain at the gNodeB, then subtracts all losses encountered along the path to determine the received signal level at the CPE. Key loss components include free-space path loss, which increases with distance and frequency, building penetration loss for indoor CPE, foliage attenuation from trees, and atmospheric absorption. The result must exceed the receiver sensitivity threshold plus fade…