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This project investigates the feasibility of using non-line-of-sight (NLOS) point-to-point wireless backhaul links via diffraction to provide cost-effective Internet connectivity to rural and hard-to-reach areas. The work first evaluates the accuracy of various terrain-based propagation models for predicting diffraction loss at the unlicensed 5.8 GHz band, finding that the widely-used Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) significantly overestimates loss in this scenario, while a rounded-obstacle diffraction model achieves high accuracy. Using this accurate propagation model, the project then performs an end-to-end simulation based on the IEEE 802.11ac standard, incorporating practical characteristics of commercial RF equipment (Cambium PTP550E), to evaluate link performance in terms of throughput and packet error rate (PER) across various antenna heights, modulation and coding schemes, and channel bandwidths. The results demonstrate that a reliable NLOS backhaul link over a distance of 11 km is viable, achieving a throughput of 100-175 Mbps with a PER below 10%, thereby offering a low-cost alternative to traditional line-of-sight backhaul that requires repeaters or tall towers, and providing valuable guidance for the optimal planning and design of rural wireless backhaul networks.
