A microwave transceiver comprising a data buffer, an ACM module, a PA, and an antenna. The ACM module configured to receive buffered data from the data buffer and to modulate the buffered data at a modulation format having a spectral efficiency, the PA configured to receive modulated buffered data from the ACM module, and to transmit amplified modulated buffered data, via the antenna, to a remote microwave transceiver at an output power. The modulation format is selected from a plurality of modulation formats based on a feedback signal from the remote microwave transceiver. The microwave transceiver further comprising a control module configured to monitor a buffer state of the data buffer, and to control the output power of the PA based on the buffer state.