Radio Propagation Theory and Models ISSUE1.

Wireless Curriculum Development Section

Course objectives
After studying this course, you should be able to:

Master the basic knowledge about radio propagation theory.

Master the functions of the propagation models and memorize the names and application ranges of several common models.

Understand the basic principles of site address selection and antenna model selection.

Course contents
Chapter 1 Radio Propagation Theory

Chapter 2 Propagation Models

Chapter 3 Site Selection and Antenna Model Selection

Basic Principles of Radio Propagation ----Spectrum Division

Frequency 3-30Hz 30-300Hz 300-3000Hz 3-30KHz 30-300KHz 300-3000KHz 3-30MHz 30-300MHz 300-3000MHz 3-30GHz 30-300GHz 300-3000GHz Classification Extremely Low Frequency Voice Frequency Very-low Frequency Low Frequency Medium Frequency High Frequency Very High Frequency Ultra High Frequency Super High Frequency Extremely High Frequency Designation ELF VF VLF LF MF HF VHF UHF SHF EHF

The frequencies in different frequency bands have different propagation characteristics.

Propagation Path

Direct wave and ground-reflected wave (Most common propagation form)

Tropospheric wave (A highly random propagation form)

Mountain-diffracted wave (Source of signals in shadow area)

Ionospheric wave (Beyond-the-horizon communication path)

Propagation Path

(1) Building-reflected wave (2) Diffracted wave (3) Direct wave (4) Ground-reflected wave

Radio Propagation Environment Two Kinds of Fading

Receiver Power (dBm)

-20

Fast Fading

Slow Fading
-40

-60

10

20

30

Distance (m)

Radio Propagation Environment

Resistance to signal fast fading Measures against fast fading ---- diversity

Time diversity
Symbol interleaving, error detection and error correction encoding

Space diversity
Adoption of main and diversity antenna for reception

Frequency diversity
450M broadband communication: frequency diversity

RAKE reception
Adoption the RAKE receiver for receiving multiple unrelated multi-paths signals

Radio Propagation Environment

The radio propagation is influenced by the terrain and artificial environments. The radio propagation environment directly determines what propagation mode is to be selected. Major factors influencing the environment Morphology form (high mountain, hilly ground, flat land and water area); Quantity, distribution and material characteristics of the artificial buildings; Characteristics of vegetation in the region; Climate; Natural and artificial electromagnetic noises. Artificial environment Dense Urban ,Urban area, suburb and rural area ,high way

Losses in Propagation
Propagation losses in free space
Ploss=32.4+20lgfMHz+20lgdkm When the frequency is fixed, it can be expressed as: Ploss=L0+10lgd =2 path loss slope

Propagation losses in flat area

Ploss = 10lgd -20lghb - 20lghm =4 path loss slope hb: Height of the BS antenna hm: Height of the MS antenna

Losses in Propagation
Diffraction loss
The electromagnetic wave is diffused all around at the diffraction point; The diffracted wave covers all directions except for the obstruction; The diffusion loss is the most serious; The calculation formula is rather complex, which varies with different diffraction constants.

Losses in Propagation
Penetration loss The indoor signal depends on the penetration loss of the building; There is evident differences between signals at the window of the room and signals in the middle of the room; The materials of the building have great influence on the penetration loss; The arrival angle of the electromagnetic wave has great influence on the penetration loss too.
w1 0 0 d D w2 0 0

E2

WdBm XdBm Penetration loss=X-W=B dB

E1
Reflection and refraction of the electromagnetic wave when it penetrates the wall.

Losses in Propagation
Penetration loss The indoor signal depends on the penetration loss of the building.
Signal beside the indoor window differs greatly from that in the central part of the room.
The building materials have a great impact on the penetration loss. The incident angle of the electromagnetic wave has a great impact on the penetration loss.
w1 0 0 d D w2 0 0

E2

WdBm XdBm

E1
The reflection and refraction of the electromagnetic wave during the penetration of the wall

Penetration loss =X-W=B dB

Losses in Propagation
Reflection loss
Ground property Water surfaces Paddy fields Fields Cities, mountain areas and forests

Equivalent ground reflection factor

0.9~1

0.6 ~ 0.8

0.3 ~ 0.5

0.1 ~ 0.2

Reflection loss (dB)

0~1

2~4

6 ~ 10

14 ~ 20

QUESTION

What distribution is fast fading subject to?

Rayleigh distribution

What distribution is slow fading subject to

Logarithmic normal distribution

Propagation Models
The propagation model is used in prediction of influence on
path loss in the radio wave propagation by the terrain and artificial environments; The propagation model is the foundation of the coverage planning. A good model can ensure the precision of the planning; The radio propagation model is influenced by the working

frequency of the system. Different propagation models have

different working frequency ranges. Moreover, there are differences between indoor propagation model and outdoor propagation model; When using the propagation model, please pay attention to the unit of each parameter.

Propagation Models
Several Common Propagation Models
Model Okumura-Hata Cost231-Hata Walfish-Ikegami Keenan-Motley K arameter Models Application range Applicable to the 150-1500 MHz macrocell prediction Applicable to the 1500-2000 MHz macrocell prediction Applicable to prediction in the 800-2000MHz urban area or dense urban area environments Applicable to the 800-2000MHz indoor environment prediction Applicable to the 800-2000MHz macrocell prediction

The typical models are set up by scientists gradually based on the CW test data.

Propagation Models
Okumura-Hata Model
The frequency range is 150MHz to 1500MHz.

L p 69 .55 26 .16 log f 13 .82 log hb (44 .9 6.55 log hb ) log d Ahm
Lp Path loss (dB)
f
Carrier frequency (MHz) Distance between the BS and MS (Km) MS antenna correction factor (dB)

hb

BS antenna height (m)

hm MS antenna height (m) Ahm

Middle or small-size cities: Big cities:

Ahm (1.1 log f 0.7 ) hm (1.56 log f 0.8)

Ahm 3.2(log 11 .75 hm ) 2 4.97

Propagation Models
Okumura-Hata Model
In urban areas, the standard model can be modified as:

In rural areas (open country), the model can be modified as:

In rural areas (quasi open country), the model can be modified as:

Propagation Models
Cost231-Hata Model
The frequency range is 1500MHz to 2000MHz.

L p 46 .3 33 .9 log f 13 .82 log hb (44 .9 6.55 log hb ) log d Ahm Cm

C m 0dB Large-size cities or central areas of the suburbs C m 3dB Big cities

Propagation Models
The general planning software model expressions are as follows: Lp=K1 + K2lgd + K3(hm) + K4lg(hm) + K5lg(Heff) + K6lg(Heff)lgd +K7diffn+ Kclutter
K1-Constant related with the frequency (MHz); K3, K4-MS antenna height (m) correction factor; K7-Diffraction correction factor; d-Distance between the BS and MS (km); K2-Constant related to the distance (km); K5, K6-BS antenna height (m) correction factor; Kclutter-Ground fading correction factor; hm, Heff-Valid heights of the MS antenna and BS antenna (m)

The initial K parameter is converted from the classical model.

Propagation Models
In the following table, some K values and fading values in the wave propagation analysis in a medium-size city are given.
K parameter name K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 Clutter attenuation value Inland Water Wetland Open Areas Rangeland Forest Industrial & Commercial Areas Village Parallel_Low_Buildings Suburban Urban Dense urban High Building -3.00 -3.00 -2.00 -1.00 13.00 5.00 -2.90 -2.50 -2.50 0 5 16 149/800MHz Urban ,162.5/2000MHz Urban 145/800MHz Large city,165.5/2000MHz Large city 44.90 -2.49/800MHz Urban,-2.93/2000MHz Urban 0/800MHz Large city,-2.93/2000MHz Large city 0.00 -13.82 -6.55 -0.8 Parameter v alue

Model Correction - CW Test

Select the site and establish an simulated BS; Select the path and perform drive test to the collected data; Correct the model using the model correction tool software and obtain K1, K2, , KCLUTER.

To obtain the radio propagation model in compliance with the actual environment and increase the correctness of the coverage prediction so as to lay a good foundation for the network planning, it is necessary to correct the propagation model for some typical environments.

Model Correction
Select representative propagation environments, such as dense urban area, general urban area and suburb and find some test points. As many as land object types should be covered. For each artificial environment, three or more test stations are preferred so as to remove the influence of the location factors. Obtain test data at different directions and distances. There should be multiple test data for the same distance. The sampling should be in compliance with the Li law: Wavelength: 40; 50 sampling points Upper limit for the car speed: Vmax=0.8/Tsample

QUESTION

What is the application range of the Okumura-Hata model?

What is the difference between Okumura-Hata and Cost231-Hata?

What parameters are the K5 and K6 in the softwareplanning model about?

What is the significance of the CW test?

SUMMARY

This chapter introduces the significance of the propagation model.

It also introduces the parameters and their experience values of several common propagation models.

It deals with the significance and method of the CW test.

Basic principles for site selection

The importance of site selection (>80%) The order for urban site selection (dense,
general, suburban)

The height of site selection (dense, general,

suburban)

Attention for the barriers ahead (avoiding it

by using the Fresnel zone)

Cell layout and site selection

The concrete principles for site selection:

The site should be put in an ideal place in the regular mesh as much as possible. Its deviation should be less than one fourth of the base station radius. On the condition that the base station layout will not be affected, the existing devices should be utilized as much as possible, so as to reduce the cost and shorten the cycle of construction. Generally, peaks of a high altitude above the sea level (100~300 m higher than the altitude of the urban area) in the outskirt of a city or in the suburbs should not be selected. On one hand, this is intended to facilitate the control of the coverage area; on the other, it reduces the level of difficulty in the project construction and facilitates maintenance.

Cell layout and site selection

The concrete principles for site selection (continued):

The newly built base station should be located in a place where it can enjoy convenient transportation, use the mains and occupy little fertile land with a safe environment; The location should away from the large-power radio transmitter, radar station or other interference sources;

The location should be far from the forest so that the absorption loss of plant can be avoided
Attention should be paid to the influence of the signal reflection and time dispersion when the site is located in the mountainous area, the dense lake area or lake area with steep bank, a hilly city, or an environment with high metal buildings; When the base station is located among the buildings in the urban area, the height of the buildings can be flexibly utilized to fulfill the division of the network hierarchical structure; When there are relatively few base stations in the early period of network construction, the sites selected should ensure the good coverage of the key areas; The physical radiation of the main beam of the antenna along streets, rivers, etc. should be avoided, so as to avoid the pilot frequency pollution or insular effect resulting from the wave-guide effect;

Antenna feeder system----feeder

Feeder selection

Feeder loss
450M7/82.7dB/100m5/41.9dB/100m 800M7/84.03dB/100m5/42.98dB/100m 1900M7/86.46dB/100m5/44.77dB/100m

Principles for feeder selection:

450MHzbasically only 7/8 feeder should be selected. 800MHzwhen the feeder length is greater than 80m, 5/4 feeder should be adopted. 1900MHzwhen the feeder length is greater than 50m, 5/4 feeder should be adopted. The curvature of the feeder should not be too great, and the external conductor should be well grounded.

Major electrical indices of the antenna

Major mechanical indices of the antenna

Antenna input interface Antenna size Antenna weight Wind load Operating temperature Humidity requirements Lightning protection Three kinds of protection capabilities

Antenna feeder design----antenna selection

Selection of urban base station antenna

Generally directional antennas
Generally 15dBi It

with 60~65 horizontal half-power angle should be selected;

medium gain antennas should be selected;

is recommended to select the antenna with a electronic tilt angle (3~6); polarization antennas are recommended;

Dual

Selection of suburban base station antenna

Direction

antennas with a 65 or 90 horizontal half-power angle can be selected according to the actual situation;
Generally 15~18dBi The

medium and high gain antennas should be selected;

adoption of the preset tilt angle should be determined according to the specific situation;
Both

dual polarization antennas and vertical polarization antennas can be selected;

Antenna feeder design----antenna selection

Selection of rural base station antenna

90

or 120 directional antennas or omni-directional antennas can be selected according to the specific situation and requirements.
Generally the The

gain of the directional antennas selected shall be relatively high (16~18dBi).

preset tilt antennas generally should not be selected; for the high-altitude site, the zero filler antennas are preferred.
Vertical

polarization antennas are suggested.

Selection of road base station antenna

Generally directional antennas

of narrow beam and high gain are selected. Depending the concrete situation, 8-shaped antennas, omni-directional or deformed omni-directional antennas can also be selected.
As

the road base station requires a long coverage distance, generally the preset tilt antennas should not be selected.
Vertical The

polarization antennas are recommended.

front-to-back ratio of the selected directional antenna should not be too high.

Antenna design-antenna height

Principles for antenna height design

Antennas

in different cells of the same base station may be of different heights. This may be limited by the installation space in a specific direction, or due to the requirements of the cell planning.
For

urban areas that are relatively even, generally the valid height of the antenna is about 25m.
The

height of the antennas in the suburban base station can be increased appropriately. Generally it is about 40 m.
If

the antennas are too high, the coverage power level around the antennas will be lowered (nicknamed black under the tower), especially for the omni-directional antennas.
Moreover,

if the antennas are too high, problems such as serious unexpected

coverage and pilot solution will occur, which will affect the network quality .

Antenna design- Azimuth

Principles for antenna azimuth design

The

azimuths of the three sectors of the urban base stations should be kept as consistent as possible, and fine adjustment should be made locally. As for the junction between the urban and suburban parts, arterial road, suburban isolated sites, etc., the antenna azimuth can be adjusted according to the key coverage objects.
The

main beam of the antenna should be directed to the area of high traffic density, so as to increase the signal strength in that area and improve the conversation quality.
The The

antenna cross-coverage depth between adjacent urban sectors should not exceed 10%.

cross-coverage depth between adjacent cells in suburban and rural areas should not be too big, and the included angle between the antenna directions of two adjacent sectors in the same base station should be no less than 90.
To

prevent the unexpected coverage, the main beam of the antenna should avoid being

directed to a straight street in dense urban areas.

Antenna design - tilt

Principles for antenna tilt design

The

employment of the antenna tilt technique can effectively control the

coverage area and reduce the system internal interference.

The

antenna tilt angle should be determined according to the concrete

situations, so that the interference between intra-frequency cells can be reduced while the coverage requirements can be met.
In

the design of the tilt angle, comprehensive consideration should be given to

such factors as the transmitting power of the base station, the antenna height, the cell coverage and the radio propagation environment.

Antenna design - tilt

The

electrical or mechanical mode can be adopted for the antenna beam tilt. The angle of the

electric tilt is related to the antenna type selected and generally is fixed. The angle of the mechanical tilt can be adjusted; but generally it will not exceed 15 due to the restriction of the installation fittings and the propagation characteristics of radio signals.
The

electric tilt and mechanical tilt produce different surface radiations. When the tilt angles are

small, there is only minor difference; with the increase of the tilt angle, the difference also becomes more evident.