What type of signal does a microwave link primarily use?

A microwave link primarily uses line-of-sight radio signals. This technology relies on direct visual alignment between transmitting and receiving antennas, allowing for the efficient transmission of high-frequency radio waves. The line-of-sight requirement is critical because obstacles such as buildings or terrain can obstruct the microwave signals, leading to signal degradation or loss.

While digital signals can be transmitted over microwave links, they are not the signal type inherent to the technology. Microwave systems can carry various forms of data, including digital signals, but the defining characteristic of microwave links is their use of radio waves in the microwave frequency range, typically between 1 GHz and 100 GHz.

Fiber optic signals, on the other hand, utilize light to transmit data through fiber cables, which is a fundamentally different technology than that of microwave links. Similarly, although satellite signals also operate on microwave frequencies, they involve different methods of transmission and reception, utilizing satellites in orbit rather than terrestrial microwave links. Therefore, the essence of microwave links is best captured by their reliance on line-of-sight radio signals.