Lecture 3

Signal Propagation Overview

Path Loss Models
q Free-space Path Loss
q Ray Tracing Models
q Simplified Path Loss Model
q Empirical Models q Empirical Models
Log Normal Shadowing
Combined Path Loss and Shadowing
Outage Probability
Model Parameters are Obtained from Empirical
Measurements
Propagation Characteristics
Path Loss (includes average shadowing)
Shadowing (due to obstructions)
Multipath Fading Multipath Fading
P
r
/P
t
d=vt
P
r
P
t
d=vt
v
Very slow
Slow
Fast
Lecture 3
Signal Propagation Overview
Path Loss Models
q Free-space Path Loss
q Ray Tracing Models
q Simplified Path Loss Model
q Empirical Models q Empirical Models
Log Normal Shadowing
Combined Path Loss and Shadowing
Outage Probability
Model Parameters are Obtained from Empirical
Measurements
Path Loss Modeling
Maxwells equations
Complex and impractical
Free space path loss model
Too simple Too simple
Ray tracing models
Requires site-specific information
Empirical Models
Dont always generalize to other environments
Simplified power falloff models
Main characteristics: good for high-level analysis
Linear path loss
Path loss in dB
The dB path gain
Transmit signal
The transmitted signal
u(t): complex baseband signal
f
c
: carrier frequency
Free-Space Path Loss
The received signal
where the product of the transmit and
receive antenna field radiation patterns in
the LOS direction.
LOS: Line-Of-Sight
Free-Space Path Loss
The ratio between the power of the
received signal and the power of transmit
signal is signal is
Free-Space Path Loss
Free-Space Path Loss
d=vt
Path loss for unobstructed LOS path
Power falls off :
Proportional to d
2
Inversely proportional to
2
(proportional to f
2
)
Ray Tracing Approximation
Represent wavefronts as simple particles
Geometry determines received signal from
each signal component each signal component
Typically includes reflected rays, can also
include scattered and defracted rays.
Requires site parameters
Geometry
Dielectric properties
Two Path Model
Path loss for one LOS path and 1 ground (or
reflected) bounce reflected) bounce
Ground bounce approximately cancels LOS
path above critical distance
Power falls off
Proportional to d
2
(small d)
Proportional to d
4
(d>d
c
) (d
c
: critical distance)
Independent of (f)
Two Path Model
General Ray Tracing
Models all signal components
Reflections
Scattering Scattering
Diffraction
Requires detailed geometry and
dielectric properties of site
Similar to Maxwell, but easier math.
Computer packages often used
Simplified Path Loss Model
Used when path loss dominated by
reflections.
Most important parameter is the path loss
exponent , determined empirically.
8 2 ,
0

(

d
d
K P P
t r
Most important parameter is the path loss
exponent , determined empirically.
Empirical Models
Okumura model
Empirically based (site/freq specific)
Awkward (uses graphs)
L(f
c
, d): free space path loss at distance d
Carrier frequency f
c
A
mu
(f
c
, d): median attenuation
G(h
t
) base station antenna height gain factor
G(h
r
) mobile antenna height gain factor
G
AREA
: gain due to the type of environment
Commonly used in cellular system simulations
Empirical Models
Hata model
Analytical approximation to Okumura model
COST 231 Model:
Extends Hata model to higher frequency (2 GHz)
Commonly used in cellular system simulations
Empirical Models
Indoor
FAF: floor attenuation factor FAF: floor attenuation factor
PAF: partition attenuation factor
Bi tp
Under a free space path loss model, find
the transmit power required to obtain a
received power of 1 dBm for a wireless received power of 1 dBm for a wireless
system with isotropic antennas (G
l
= 1)
and a carrier frequency f = 5 GHz,
assuming a distance d = 10m. Repeat for d
= 100m
Lecture 3
Signal Propagation Overview
Path Loss Models
q Free-space Path Loss
q Ray Tracing Models
q Simplified Path Loss Model
q Empirical Models q Empirical Models
Log Normal Shadowing
Combined Path Loss and Shadowing
Outage Probability
Model Parameters are Obtained from Empirical
Measurements
Shadowing
Models attenuation from obstructions
X
c
Random due to random # and type of obstructions
Typically follows a log-normal distribution
dB value of power is normally distributed
=0 (if mean captured in path loss), 4 dB <
2
< 12 dB
(empirical)
CLT (Central Limit Theorem) used to explain this
model
Shadowing
X
c
The probability
Lecture 3
Signal Propagation Overview
Path Loss Models
q Free-space Path Loss
q Ray Tracing Models
q Simplified Path Loss Model
q Empirical Models q Empirical Models
Log Normal Shadowing
Combined Path Loss and Shadowing
Outage Probability
Model Parameters are Obtained from Empirical
Measurements
Combined Path Loss
and Shadowing
Linear Model: lognormal

\
|
=
d
d
K
P
P
t
r 0
Slow
10log
dB Model
\
d P
t
) , 0 ( ~
, log 10 log 10 ) (
2
0
10 10

N
d
d
K dB
P
P
dB
dB
t
r
+
|
|

\
|
=
P
r
/P
t
(dB)
log d
Very slow
-10
Lecture 3
Signal Propagation Overview
Path Loss Models
q Free-space Path Loss
q Ray Tracing Models
q Simplified Path Loss Model
q Empirical Models q Empirical Models
Log Normal Shadowing
Combined Path Loss and Shadowing
Outage Probability
Model Parameters are Obtained from Empirical
Measurements
Outage Probability
Path loss: circular cells
Path loss+shadowing: amoeba cells
Tradeoff between coverage and interference
r
P
Outage probability
Probability that received power is below a given
minimum
Lecture 3
Signal Propagation Overview
Path Loss Models
q Free-space Path Loss
q Ray Tracing Models
q Simplified Path Loss Model
q Empirical Models q Empirical Models
Log Normal Shadowing
Combined Path Loss and Shadowing
Outage Probability
Model Parameters are Obtained from Empirical
Measurements
Model Parameters from
Empirical Measurements
Fit model to data
Path loss (K, ), d
0
known:
Best fit line through dB data
P
r
/P
t
(dB)
log(d)
10
K (dB)
log(d
0
)


2
Best fit line through dB data
K obtained from measurements at d
0
.
Exponent is MMSE (Minimum Mean Square
Error) estimate based on data
Captures mean due to shadowing
Shadowing variance
Variance of data relative to path loss model
(straight line) with MMSE estimate for
Main Points
Path loss models simplify Maxwells equations
Models vary in complexity and accuracy
Power falloff with distance is proportional to d
2
Power falloff with distance is proportional to d
2
in free space, d
4
in two path model
General ray tracing computationally complex
Empirical models used in 2G simulations
Main characteristics of path loss captured in
simple model P
r
=P
t
K[d
0
/d]

Main Points
Random attenuation due to shadowing modeled as
log-normal (empirical parameters)
Shadowing decorrelates over decorrelation distance
Combined path loss and shadowing leads to outage
and amoeba-like cell shapes
Path loss and shadowing parameters are obtained
from empirical measurements