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Fresnel Zone Calculator

LOS Clearance · Point-to-Point Links · Microwave · Wi-Fi Bridge

When to use: Use for point-to-point microwave and Wi-Fi bridge links to determine how much physical clearance is needed above obstacles for a true line-of-sight path. The first Fresnel zone must be at least 60% clear of obstructions for the link to perform close to free-space. Obstructions inside the first zone cause signal diffraction loss. Includes earth-bulge correction for links over 5 km. Applies to rooftop-to-rooftop, tower-to-tower, and building-to-building links.

Link Parameters
5800 MHz = 5 GHz Wi-Fi
MHz
m AGL
m AGL
1.000 km · 0.62 mi · Earth bulge: 0.02 m at midpoint
1st Fresnel Zone Radius
11.8
ft at midpoint
3.60 m · 60% clearance = 7.1 ft
Clearance Summary
1st Fresnel zone radius3.60 m (11.8 ft)
2nd Fresnel zone radius5.09 m (16.7 ft)
Required 60% clearance2.16 m (7.1 ft)
Earth bulge at midpoint0.02 m
Min antenna height (tallest side)12.2 m AGL
References
Fn = 17.32 × √(n·D / (4·f_GHz)) at midpoint
60% clearance of F1 = near free-space loss
Earth bulge = d²/(8R) where R = 6371 km
Full obstruction of F1 adds ~6 dB diffraction loss