Novel Approach to Find MW Tower Locations Utilizing Mobile Coverage Maps

Building a network of microwave towers requires identifying optimal locations that support reliable signal transmission. This process is complex, as each tower must maintain a clear line-of-sight, and antenna and tower heights must be precisely calculated.

This session will highlight Duke Energy's recent efforts to identify viable land for future microwave tower installations. Traditionally, this requires detailed point-to-point RF studies for each candidate site, which can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, especially when many sites are ultimately rejected due to terrain obstructions or distance constraints.

To improve efficiency, the project team incorporated RF coverage maps, a tool typically used in mobile communications, early in the planning process. By adjusting these maps for microwave-specific parameters, engineers could visualize signal strength across broad areas, flag obstructions, and pre-screen sites before committing to detailed RF analysis.

The result was a streamlined approach that reduced evaluation time, minimized rework, and improved coordination with real estate and permitting teams. This method helped Duke Energy focus efforts on the most viable locations and offers a repeatable planning strategy for other utilities managing microwave and telecom infrastructure.