ISSN: 2277-3754

ISO 9001:2008 Certified

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 3, Issue 5, November 2013


Abstract This paper shows a set of results obtained from
field measurements realized in different urban scenarios of
Mexico City, chosen their particular characteristics as
population density, vegetation, traffic data and architectural
structure. These scenarios are: Reforma, Chapultepec,
Lindavista, Centro and Polanco.

Based on obtained data we realized a comparison with three
outdoor propagation models, which are Okumura-Hata, COST
Walfish-Ikegami and 3GPP, all models are adapted to operation
frequency. The goal is choose the best model for each selected
area. This comparison was achieved with development of a
computational algorithm, using MatLab platform. All work is
showed with coverage maps using Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) and Geographic Positioning System (GPS).

Index Terms3GPP, COST Walfish-Ikegami, GIS,
Okumura-Hata, WCDMA
I. INTRODUCTION
Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) is a
mediumaccess technique for Third Generation Systems (3G)
that incremented transmission rate of data through air, better
that Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) of GSM
Systems. In a communication system, multiple users want to
access a channel at same time. WCDMA is a direct sequence
spread spectrumtechnology; this technology expands signals
over a bandwidth of 5 MHz hiding the noise present in channel
and is capable of simultaneously carrying voice and data. [1].

Base Station (BS), also known as Node B, is part of UMTS
Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) that will provide
service to mobile terminals. Node B has as fundamental tasks
the transmission and reception of radio signal, signal filtering,
amplification, modulation and demodulation of signal and be
an interface with Radio Network Controller (RNC).

Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) transmitted a carrier used
to estimate channel parameters. This is the physical reference
for other channels and it is used to control power, coherent
detection, channel estimation, measurement of adjacent cells
and obtaining Scrambling Code (SC) [2], this is a Key
Performance Indicator (KPI) let us know the Quality of

Service (QoS) of mobile network using too for design and
planning of network.

Important factors in any type of wireless communication
systemare signal propagation and losses through the physical
environment. That is why in this paper we present a
comparison between outdoor propagation models against
field study in particular areas of Mexico City. This way we can
appreciate power levels in the region while also get an
overview of technical specifications for a given project and
planning distribution of elements of UMTS architecture, in
this case fromNodes B and User Equipment.
II. THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS
A propagation model is a set of mathematical expressions,
diagrams and algorithms, used to represent features in a given
environment. Propagation models predict multipath of a signal
between a transmitter and receiver in Fig. 1 show a common
scenario mobile communications. The main advantage of
propagation model is to determine viability of projections
desired in certain areas. With this we can make an estimate of
needs, costs and capacity requirements of equipment
(technical specifications) [3].


Fig. 1 Scenario Mobile Communications

Applicability of a model depends on specific requirements
of scenario or environment, such as type of terrain (hilly, with
hills, smooth), characteristics of propagation environment
(urban, suburban and open), characteristics of atmosphere
(refractive index, rainfall intensity), electrical properties
(conductivity of earth), type of material urban construction,
etc., [4].


Analysis and Comparison of Power Levels
WCDMA Signal in Urban Environments versus
Outdoor Propagation Models
Mariana Alejandra Eslava Gutirrez, Sergio Vidal Beltrn, Mara del Carmen Jimnez lvarez
semaeg13@yahoo.com.mx, svidalb@ipn.mx, mcjimenez.alvarez@gmail.com
1




ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 3, Issue 5, November 2013


The Okumura-Hata model makes a prediction of the signal
strength. The model for an urban considers characteristics of
an urbanized city with big buildings and houses or large
villages with nearby houses and trees. This model provides a
fundamental formula for the calculation of urban losses and
added a correction factor this formula is given by equation 1:


(1)

Where:

150 <fc <1500 [MHz]
30 <hte <200 [m]
1 <d <20 [Km]
a (hte) [Correction Factor]

The model COST Walfish-Ikegami is applicable to large,
small and micro cells for frequencies (f), base station antenna
height (h
t
), mobile antenna height (h
r
) and distance (d), within
the range:

Where:

800 <f <2000 [MHz]
4 <h
t
<50 [m]
1 <h
r
<3 [m]
0.02 <d <5 [Km]

The total loss (L) is composed of three values show in
equation 2: free space loss (L
F
), diffraction loss
roof-street/dispersion (L
D
) and multiscreen loss (L
S
) [5]:


(2)

The propagation model 3GPP is applicable to test scenarios
in urban and sub-urban and is functional for frequencies up to
2000 MHz [6]. The equation 3 describing the loss of the
model is as follows:


(3)

Where:

R: Distance between Base Station (Node B) and User
Equipment (UE) [Km]
f: Frequency of carrier [MHz]
Dhb: Antenna height of Base Station (Node B) [m]

The three propagation models described above are just
some of many that exist, in this particular case, we choose
these three because they are tailored to characteristics of
environment and area of study; in addition meet range of
operating frequencies used.





III. DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH PAPER
The 3G systems used free space for propagation path of
signal, thus present problems with degradation signal, of this
way is important of good planning on distribution of system
architecture, taking into account particularities of testing
region. Using outdoor propagation models allows realize
planning, deployment and control of network, however, the
approach of each model depends on the area of study.

With obtained data we realized a comparison with three
outdoor propagation models. The goal is choose the best
model for each selected area.

A. Measurements Methodology
The measurements were performed by a spectrumanalyzer
capable of working in the frequency range of 100 kHz to 7.1
GHz [7]. The equipment is able to demodulate and decode the
WCDMA signal for mixing the corresponding code, so it is
possible to obtain information about the power of the CPICH
channel.

The measurements were performed by measuring On the
Air" (OTA, Over the Air). It was using an antenna in the
appropriate frequency band. Table 1 shows us the settings of
equipment and antenna characteristics, values that allow us to
work on the characteristics of the analyzed service provider.

Table 1 Configuration Parameters and Features Antenna

Parameter Value/Features
Carrier Frequency 887.5 MHz
Operating Band
Band V - Additional Channel Systems
UMTS for Downlink
Operating Frequency/
Antenna
870 a 960 MHz
Type Antenna Omnidirectional

The measuring areas are delimited and shown in Fig. 2. In
these areas of analysis, we present a variety of constructions
with representative characteristics, given by its height and
building materials. Other parameters considered in the choice
of the measurement area were population density, type of
population and data traffic.


a) Reforma

b) Chapultepec


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ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 3, Issue 5, November 2013



c) Lindavista d) Centro

e) Polanco

Fig. 2 Measurement Areas

Measurements were performed with the measuring
equipment placed at an average height of 1.00 to 1.40 meters
above ground level. This value was considered as the average
value in which users carry and use their mobile equipment.
The distance between measurements was approximately 4 to 5
meters, covering each area of analysis. For a correct analysis
of experimental results was necessary to have georeference
information. To obtain this information, the equipment has a
GPS and generates position information of (Latitude,
Longitude, Altitude and Time).

It should be noted that weather conditions affect the values
obtained in measurements, so it was necessary that the
measurements be made under similar climatic conditions [8].

B. Information Processing and Information System
The measurements were stored in the inner memory of
equipment. All these measurements are downloaded to a
computer, to be interpreted by means of a software tool called
Master Software Tools MST. This tool allows the
measurement display and export it to a *. cvs for further
processing [9]. Fig. 3 shows the working environment and
displaying the measurements.



Fig. 3 Interface Master Software Tools

Once the information is into a single file, with this file it is
possible to determine the occurrence of each Scrambling Code
and power of these.

Subsequently, analysis was performed based on
propagation models, this requires a set of input values for
calculating each of them, and these values refer to values as:

1. Types area.
2. Types city.
3. Height of transmitting and receiving antennas.
4. Base Station Location or Node B.

Performing this analysis we proposed a data entry
environment, it will take the measurement information and the
conditions in the structure of the analysis area, later to execute
and get results of each propagation model. Fig. 4 shows that
work environment.





Fig. 4 GUI in MatLab

Fromthis system, it was possible to compare different
models and generate an error analysis of each of them, based
on information obtained fromfield measurements. Thus, the
best model was obtained for each Node B propagation
analysis.

C. Building Coverage Maps

With the points measured, it was possible to generate
coverage maps [10]. The data were processed using software
called Easy Krigig v.3 to implement kriging geostatistical
method, that was initially developed by Daniel G. Krige based
on interpolation algorithms by least squares regression. The
method takes the point values and generates continuous
graphic, performing an interpolation of them.
3



ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 3, Issue 5, November 2013


The process of generating coverage maps consists mainly
of four steps too illustrated in Fig. 5:

1. Data reading. Longitude, Latitude and the
performance indicator.
2. Generate a theoretical variogram based on one
experimental. Predicting the behavior of the signal
transmitted by node B
3. Running the Kriging process.
4. Validation and map display. Ensure the
effectiveness of the prediction is needed validation
process; included in the application of EasyKrig
v.3 in which the approximation error is within the
acceptance region determined by the variability of
the measurement power.


Fig. 5 Procedure for Creating Coverage Maps
IV. RESULTS
A. Distribution of CPICH Power Level versus Outdoor
Propagation Models
We did comparison of experimental values obtained fromfield
measurements against the results generated by the tool
computational designed for each specific outdoor propagation
model.

Fig. 6 shows us coverage maps in an area compared with
each outdoor propagation model; this process was repeated in
all areas.


a) Coverage Map with Field Measurements


b) Coverage Map. Okumura-Hata

c) Coverage Map. COST Walfish-Ikegami

d) Coverage Map. 3GPP

Fig. 6 Coverage Maps

We did a comparison between the results obtained in with measurements
of field and results for each propagation model. The Fig. 7, shows that three
propagation models reflects behavior of power measures, however, model that
approximates behavior of measured CPICH is in this case with 3GPP model
result can be verified when considered the absolute error of each average
propagation models.

Fig. 7 Field measurements versus Propagation Models
4



ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 3, Issue 5, November 2013


Table 2 presents a summary of each area and its relation to
each propagation model. Too show us the error values that
allowing us to identify which best model fits the study area.

Table 2 General Summary


S
c
e
n
a
r
i
o

S
c
r
a
m
b
l
i
n
g

C
o
d
e
s

N
o
d
e

B

#

M
e
a
s
u
r
e
m
e
n
t
s





A
v
e
r
a
g
e

A
b
s
o
l
u
t
e

E
r
r
o
r

M
O
H

A
v
e
r
a
g
e

A
b
s
o
l
u
t
e

E
r
r
o
r

M
C
W
I

A
v
e
r
a
g
e

A
b
s
o
l
u
t
e

E
r
r
o
r

M
3
G
P
P

M
o
d
e
l


1 50 15 1667 9.41223747 12.431887 11.25219 MOH
*

2 62 6 2014 10.3109335 12.979730 5.297664 M3GPP
-

3 22 6 3574 18.4824912 8.5313687 9.898858 MCWI
+

4 48 14 2740 7.33423391 22.10120 12.12794 MOH
5 119 21 6777 15.6877251 14.622482 12.30765 M3GPP
1
Reforma,
2
Chapultepec,
3
Lindavista,
4
Centro
5
Polanco
*
Okumura-Hata Propagation Model
-
3GPP Propagation Model
+
COST
Walfish-Ikegami. Propagation Model

The Okumura-Hata model was adapted to areas with a
large distribution of buildings such as Reformand Center. This
pattern was obtained in which all smallest error with respect to
measured values.

The model of COST Walfish-Ikegami had his best
assessment in third stage or Lindavista area. Performing its
best prediction when considering characteristics of general
environment.

The 3GPP model obtained the best results in the second and
fifth analysis zone (Chapultepec and Polanco), this model is
suitable and has far more accurate values to the base station,
an issue found in Chapultepec area, in addition to being useful
in areas with at least 19 nodes B, Polanco case, based on the
technical specification TR25.942.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Authors thank to the IPN for the support received.

REFERENCES

[1] Couch II, L. W. (2008). Sistemas de Comunicacin Digitales y
Analgicos, Quinta Edicin. Mxico: Pearson Prentice Hall.
[2] ANRITSU Company. (2008-2009). Practical Tips on
WCDMA Measurements, Application Note No. 11410-00378,
Rev. B . California: ANRITSU Com-pany.
[3] 3GPP. (s.f.). 3GPP a Global Initiative. Recuperado el Febrero
de 2010, de www.3gpp.com
[4] Korhonen, J . (2003). Introduction to 3G Mobile
Communications, Segunda Edicin. EUA: Artech House.
[5] Ponce Rojas Sonia J azmn, Anlisis de propagacin,
desempeo e interferencia de seales WCDMA en entornos
urbanos, Tesis IPN, 2012. pp 63 - 72.
[6] 3GPP TR 25.942version 3.3.0
[7] SpectrumMaster MS2721A, Benchtop Performance in a
Handheld SpectrumAnalyzer, User Guide, p. 1-1.

[8] Sonia J azmn Ponce Rojas, Anlisis de Desempeo de un
Nodo B, CISCE 2011.
[9] Sonia J azmn Ponce Rojas, A Geographic Information System
Applied to Coverage Maps of 3G Cellular Communication
Network, J ournal of Geographic Information System, 2011, 3,
p. 140-144.


Mariana Alejandra Eslava Gutirrez, Graduate of Master of Science in
Telecommunications Engineering fromthe National Polytechnic Institute,
Mexico, DF (e-mail: semaeg13@yahoo.com.mx)

Sergio Vidal Beltrn, research fellow and faculty member in the Master of
Science in Telecommunications Engineering, National Polytechnic Institute,
Mexico, DF (e-mail: svidalb@ipn.mx)

Mara del Carmen Jimnez lvarez, Student of Master of Science in
Telecommunications Engineering fromthe National Polytechnic Institute,
Mexico, DF (e-mail: semaeg13@yahoo.com.mx)
5