Coverage Evaluations in Tunnels

A4 RZ COVERAGE orange 3.
FE
08.07.1999 9:55 Uhr
Seite 2
RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEMS
COVERAGE
EVALUATIONS
IN TUNNELS
APPLYING RADIATING
CABLES
Reprint from the proceedings of the

ITC Conference Amsterdam, March 1997
RFS kabelmetal
H.-D. Hettstedt,
M. Davies,
B. Herbig,
R. Nagel
R F S
C o n n e c t
w i t h
t h e
b e s t
Innens. A4 -Orange 1-3
R F S
08.07.1999 9:49 Uhr
Seite 1
C o n n e c t
w i t h
t h e
b e s t
Text COVERAGE EVALUA.FE
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 1
COVERAGE EVALUATIONS IN TUNNELS

APPLYING RADIATING CABLES
ABSTRACT
2. COVERAGE MODELS
This paper analyses coverage predictions in tunnels

using radiating cables. It is demonstrated that cable
data gained from free space measurements results are
applicable to tunnel environments. Fading models used
for radio communication in free space applied to
tunnels explain effects of electrical behaviour of radiating cables in tunnels. A coverage prediction is performed by system loss calculations based on cable data.
The coverage model for tunnels is similar to that of free
space. Measurement results are presented from a typically equipped metro tunnel considering a rectangular
concrete section and another consisting of a combination of a concrete section with a steel tube. The results
show concurrence between theory and practice.
1. INTRODUCTION
For radio coverage in free space, two types of coverage

are important for the system design, the area coverage
and the contour coverage. Assuming a specific fading
characteristic, e.g. Rayleigh fading or Ricean fading, the
area coverage can be computed from the coverage
measured on any contour surrounding this area.
In a tunnel along a radiating cable the coverage can be
computed directly from measurement results of the
system loss. A normal system design approach is to
predict the reception probability at the end of the cable
section using known cable data: cable loss and coupling
loss. The reception probability thus gained is comparable with the contour coverage in free space.
Of special interest are the influences of the tunnel
surroundings on the coverage characteristics and comparison between predicted and measured coverage
values. This papers helps to clarify this complex. A further interesting point relevant to system design is that
of matching the coverage in free space with that in
tunnels. Fading models in tunnels are investigated for
the case of radiating cables.
Figure 2.1:
Sketch of a Free Space Scenario
In order to meet specific requirements of system reliability, radio coverage normally has to be confirmed theoretically and by measurements. In free space applications, the situation and design procedure is well known.
In tunnels the situation is very different, though the
measurement conditions are actually simpler. Normally
a tunnel radio system is a portion of a larger radio
system supplying both free space and tunnels. So the
coverage in both areas is of special interest as well as
the interfaces between them. Therefore both situations
are considered in this paper.
2.1 Free Space
In free space, coverage requirements are defined by a
specific minimum signal reception level within a defined
percentage of an area. For public safety e.g. an area
coverage of 98 % is needed. FIG. 2.1 shows an area in a
simplified form within a circular contour enclosing a
Base Station antenna. As the dimensions can be of the
order of several kilometres, the difficulty of confirmation by direct measurements is obvious. So the procedure
of measuring only the contour coverage is a useful
simplification, but still involves considerable effort. A
mathematical relationship between area and contour
coverage is given in [1] assuming Rayleigh fading under
these specific conditions. The area in FIG. 2.1 is sepa-
Wood Area
Antenna
Urban Area
Hilly Area
Plane Area
Circular
Contour
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 2

rated into 4 different segments representing very different conditions for radio wave propagation. This extreme inhomogenity is to demonstrate the complexity of
exact coverage evaluation in large areas.
2.2 Tunnels
Confirmation of radio coverage in tunnels is easier in
practice because the space is clearly limited to a narrow
area which is normally directly available for measurements. So the results of field strength measurements
along the radiating cable can be used to evaluate reception probability and coverage evaluation.
FIG. 2.2 shows the situation inside a tunnel crosssection giving an image that signal reflections from the
tunnel wall are an important factor. To gain theoretical
coverage predictions as part of the system design as a
whole, the conditions for electromagnetic propagation
in the tunnel must be analysed carefully.
Measurement results for specific antenna heights and

distances from the cable should be valid within the
whole cross-section.
Cable parameters gained from free space measurements must be transferable to tunnel applications.
Tunnel influences must be clear and predictable.
The characteristics of the signal strength variations
along the cable must be analysed mathematically.
Multipath
Radiating
Cable
Direct
Path
3. FADING MODELS
Signal transmissions generally show field strength variations depending on local characteristics. These phenomena, known as fading, must all be considered in
evaluating radio communication parameters. In order to
obtain comparable procedures, conditions in free space
and in tunnels must be analysed.
3.1 Fading in Free Space
In free space, the fading effects can be separated into
two parts, a long and a short-term fading, see e.g. [1].
The long-term fading represents signal strength variations due to specific local attenuation and blocking
effects additionally to the normal attenuation of e.m.
propagation over distance. The name is due to its nearly
constant characteristic on time. The statistical distribution derives from a lognormal function with a standard
deviation of typically 5.5 dB for frequencies up to
1 GHz.
Superposed on this effect there is a short-term fading
resulting from multipath propagation with a high density of signal variations. The statistical distribution is
related to Rice or Rayleigh functions, see e.g. [1]. Rice
fading is typical when more than 50% of the signals are
propagated on the direct path. The Rayleigh function
must be applied when multipath propagation predominates.
FIG. 3.1 shows these relationships resulting in a free
space attenuation at a specific distance to a BTS antenna. Moving along the circular contour in FIG. 2.1, we
obtain both lognormal fading over a constant attenuation D due to the area specific characteristics as well as
multipath effected fading. In case of Rayleigh fading the
mean value will have a lognormal distribution. In this
case the mean value differs from the median (i.e. 50%
reception probability).
Mobile
Tunnel Cross-Section
2
Figure 2.2:
Sketch of a Tunnel Scenario
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 3

Attenuation
Lognormal Fading
Short-term Fading
Free Space Attenuation
e
Figure 3.1:
Fading Effects in
Free Space
Direct Path Dominating
Multipath Dominating
Distance
(Log. Scale)
Signal Levels
(ca. 5dB)
(ca. 12dB for 98% Coverage)
Total Margin
Margin for Lognormal

Fading
Margin for Multipath
Mading
Fading Margin
(e.g. 12dB SINAD, 50% Coverage)
Static C/N
(C/N = 1)
Inferred Noise Level
Noise Figure
Thermal Noise Level

e.g. Frequency
Figure 3.2:
Fading Margins
Each of these effects must be considered in system

calculations, see FIG. 3.2. In order to achieve a required
coverage, a fading margin is needed which represents
both the long-term and short-term fading. In [1] the
mathematical relationship between contour and area
coverage is given. A typical calculation resulting from
Rayleigh fading is: A 95% contour coverage requires a
12 dB short-term margin and results in a 97% area
coverage.
3.2 Fading in Tunnels

In tunnels a line of sight to the radiating cable can normally be assumed. The conditions for Rice fading are
evidently given. However, the situation is complicated
by the cable itself. There is no discrete radiating source,
instead the cable has a function of a distributed antenna. This leads to an electrical field along the cable with
typical interference from interactions of different types
of e.m. waves generated from the cable. For a detailed
description of the function of radiating cables see [2].
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 4

Figure 3.3:
Measurement Results of Coupled Mode Cables in Free Space and Tunnel
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 5

Figure 3.4:
Measurement Results of Radiating Mode Cables in Free Space and Tunnel
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 6

So radiating cables show fading characteristics even

without tunnel environments. They can be classified into
two general types, operating either in the coupled
mode or the radiating mode. Both types show different
field characteristics. FIG. 3.3 shows measurement results
of the coupling loss of an RLF cable operating in the
coupled mode at 960 MHz. The upper diagram shows
results gained from free space measurements under
standard conditions. The lower diagram shows results
from tunnel measurements under equivalent conditions.
In FIG. 3.4 similar results are shown for a RAY type cable
operating in the radiating mode.
Figure 3.5:
Probability Density Functions for Cables
in Free Space and Tunnel
Both types of cables show similar statistical distributions

of the coupling loss for free space and tunnel environments. This means that multipath in tunnels within the
cross-section is of secondary order only and that the
cable characteristics are clearly dominated by their
functions. These are results of a more exhaustive investigation of different types of cables, see [3]. [3] also
shows that the same cables give results in free space
and tunnels which can differ up to 5 dB, although, at
discrete frequencies, the 5%, 50% and 95% reception
probability values relative to each other, remain the
same.
Upper Part: Coupled Mode Cable,

Lower Part: Radiating Mode Cable
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 7

The statistical distributions of field strength in free

space and tunnels are thus apparently equivalent, but
the tunnel environments lead to an offset of max. 5 dB.
These results would suggest that the tunnel environments result in a type of fading comparable with the
lognormal fading in free space. A thorough analysis of
the distribution of this effect would require a very great
number of tunnel measurements under otherwise
unchanged conditions.
The probability density function of the cable itself,
whether in free space or in tunnels, does not fulfil the
parameters of the Rayleigh or the Ricean characteristic.
The mean value of a Rayleigh distribution is 1.25 times
the standard deviation and that of a Ricean distribution
is even higher (see [1]), whilst graphical and numerical
analysis of radiating cable coupling loss shows the mean
value to be actually less than that of the standard deviation (typically 90%). This effect is only possible when a
high degree of asymmetry is present in the distribution
(remembering that negative values for coupling loss in
non-logarithmic terms are not possible). The asymmetry
apparent in the PDFs shown in FIG. 3.5 is characterised
by a very steep incline towards zero (compared to Rice
or Rayleigh distributions) and a very gradual decline
towards higher signal strengths. This tendency is typical
of logarithmic scaling, so that evidently a lognormal
element predominates to an extent that other superimposed characteristics are no longer recognisable.
We can thus suppose that the radiating cable pattern
contains both a Rayleigh and a lognormal component
which would mean that the resulting distribution is
then a Suzuki distribution (see [1]). Further research is
necessary to verify this, deriving the appropriate parameters for a hypothesis and subjecting it to a chi squared test, and is the subject of present research.
4. COVERAGE PREDICTIONS IN TUNNELS
For the coverage prediction in tunnels an approach is

useful which accords with that for free space. The
system loss for the end section of a long radiating cable
can be computed using cable data gained from free
space measurements. The considerations of the previous
chapters show this procedure to be correct. This computation leads to a coverage comparable with the contour
coverage in free space and is the basis for the overall
coverage along the whole cable.
Fig. 4.1 shows the relationship between cable loss,
coupling loss, system loss, margin for lognormal fading and the min. reception level. Using the cable data
from standard tests the length of the end-section is of
course the same as of the test length, normally 100 m.
This procedure of system loss computations leads to
situations where the min. reception level at the end of
the cable always meets the coverage requirement. This
is a desirable result for system design.
The difference between the coverage along the whole
cable and that of the end-section depends on the
amount of total cable loss. Fig. 4.2 shows the system
loss diagrams of an RLF type cable for a 500 m and a
1000 m section, theoretically evaluated. A comparison
of the reception probability curves show that the distribution is stretched by increasing the cable losses due to
the double cable length. The differences between the
50%- and 95%-values are remarkable. The divergence of
end-section coverage and area coverage is shown by a
brief analysis:
Cable type:
Frequency:
Cable loss:
Coupling loss:
End-Section Coverage
Length [m]
100
500
1000
RLF 13/33-1800
900 MHz
3.4 dB/100 m
71.3 dB/50%, 82.5 dB/95%
Whole-Section Coverage
Sys. loss (50%)
Sys. loss (95%)
Sys. loss (50%)
74.7 dB
88.3 dB
105.3 dB
85.9 dB
99.5 dB
116.5 dB
80.3 dB
89.1 dB
Sys. loss (95%)

93.4 dB
106.9 dB
Sys. loss (98%)
97.3 dB
111.1 dB
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 8

This analysis shows that the procedure of computing

the system loss for a 95% coverage of the end-section
leads to an area coverage of more than 98%. The differences depend on cable types, lengths and frequencies.
The coverage prediction has to be performed analytically case by case.
System Loss
Cable Loss
Lognormal Fading
95%
Coupling
Loss
Lognormal
Margin
Min. Reception Level (C/N= 12dB)

100m
Distance
(Linear Scale)
Figure 4.1:
Diagram of System Loss
in Tunnels
5. MEASUREMENT RESULTS
In a longer section of the UESTRA metro tunnels in
Hanover, different types of radiating cables were tested.
The cables are installed on side walls at train window
level in a single bore in one direction. The tunnels are
mostly of concrete material and of rectangular size including niches, side changes of the cabling and diverse
typical discontinuities. These environments offer the
opportunity for tests under typical installation conditions.
Two representative test results were chosen. FIG. 5.1

shows in the upper part a diagram of system loss measured in a rectangular tunnel section between two metro stations. The diagram below shows the system loss
resulting from measurements in a tunnel section where
two different types are combined: a concrete rectangular tunnel with a metal tube. Both diagrams are related
to cable lengths of appr. 500 m. For both tests the same
cable type RLF 17/44 was used for the tests at 960 MHz.
The test antenna was fixed outside the train in the centre of the front window at vertical orientation. So the
test conditions were equal.
In the upper diagram for the system loss in the rectangular tunnel it can be seen that the slope shows small
variations which can be explained by discontinuities in
the tunnel and local additional cable losses from connecting jumper cables. The analysis of the extracted
coupling loss shows that there is a nearly constant offset between the free space and tunnel values which are
within the 5 dB variation due to the expected lognormal fading effect.
Comparing the measured system loss with the calculated one it can be seen that the 50% values fit very
well. The predicted 95% value is again equivalent with
the measured 98% value. The difference between the
5% values are comparable with the difference between
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 9

Figure 4.2:
Theoretical System Loss Results Extrapolated from Measurements on a Cable of 150m
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 10

10
Figure 5.1: System Loss Results Measured in a Concrete Tunnel and in a Tunnel
of a Combination of a Concrete Section with a Steel Tube
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 11

Figure 5.2: Comparison of Coupling Loss Results Gained in Sections

of a Concrete Tunnel and of a Steel Tube
11
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 12

Coupling Loss
Reception
Probability
5%
50%
95%
Free Space Data
65.7 dB
72.9 dB
84.6 dB
Tunnel Data
69.3 dB
76.7 dB
88.0 dB
the 95% values, see the table below. In conclusion, this

example of practical application shows that the predicted coverage of 95% at the far end of the cable leads
to a total coverage of 98%.
Further interesting results were gained from the
measurements in the section where two very different
types of tunnels are connected directly. As can be seen
from the lower diagram in FIG. 5.1 there is a step of
appr. 10 dB in system loss at the junction from the
concrete tunnel section to the steel tube. This means
there is a remarkable difference between the coupling
losses in the different sections.
In FIG. 5.2 the coupling loss characteristics for both
tunnel sections are shown separately. The upper
diagram shows the coupling loss for the concrete
section, the lower one that for the first 130 m of the
steel tube. Direct comparison demonstrates an effective
lower coupling loss in the tube at a difference of appr.
10 dB and a more regular fading characteristic. The
reason for this effect is of course higher reflections
resulting in lower losses. Another interesting result is
that there is no change in the distribution function for
the tube. It can be assumed that even under highly
reflective environments the cable characteristics do not
change and that a constant offset based on typical
influences of a tunnel can again be observed, in this
case with positive results.
6. CONCLUSIONS
12
It was demonstrated that distribution characteristics of

radiating cables in tunnels are equivalent to those in
free space. Differences of electrical behaviour can be
explained by fading models from free space. A coverage
System Loss
Offset
Predicted from
Tunnel Data
Measured Data
+ 3.4 dB
+ 3.8 dB
+ 3.4 dB
73.4 dB
88.2 dB
106.9 dB
77.5 dB
88.4 dB
102.0 dB
prediction for tunnel sections supplied by radiating cables can be performed from system loss calculations based on cable data. Measurement results of a metro tunnel in typical concrete environments and in a highly reflective steel tube confirm theoretical calculations made
in free space, demonstrating the independence of the
cables behaviour to the environment.
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to extend their thanks to the

UESTRA AG, Hanover, for their kind permission to use
the tunnels and to Mr. Witte and Mr. Reuter for their
good collaboration in forms of advice and supply.
Furthermore, they wish to thank Mr. Mahlandt from the
RFS Cable Development Department for his helpful advice and for the supply of software.
8. REFERENCES
[1] M. D. Yacoub: Foundations of Mobile Radio

Engineering, CRC Press, 1993
[2] H.-D. Hettstedt: Development and Applications of
Leaky Feeders, International Seminar on
Communications Systems For Tunnels, London, 1993
[3] H.-D. Hettstedt, B. Herbig, G. Klauke, R. Nagel:
Comparison of Performances of different
Leaky Feeders in a Metro Tunnel, Tunnel Control
& Communication, Basel, 1994
08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr
Seite 13

13
A4 RZ COVERAGE orange 3.FE
08.07.1999 9:55 Uhr
Seite 1
GERMANY: RFS kabelmetal

Tel: +49-511 676 2520
Fax: +49-511 676 2521
BRAZIL: RFS Brasil - kmP

Tel: +55-11 7961 2433
Fax: +55-11 494 2937
USA: RFS Cablewave

Tel: +1-203 630 3311
Fax: +1-203 821 3852
AUSTRALIA: RFS Australia

Tel: +61-3 9761 5700
Fax: +61-3 9761 5711
FRANCE: RFS France

Tel: +33-1 3423 6200
Fax: +33-1 3423 6324
USA: RFS Cablewave

Eastern Region
Tel: +1-203 630 3311
Fax: +1-203 821 3852
USA: RFS Cablewave
Midwest Region
Tel: +1-630 516 0106
Fax: +1-630 516 0207
USA: RFS Cablewave
Western Region
Tel: +1-510 661 9620
Fax: +1-510 661 9630
USA: RFS Cablewave
Southeast Region
Tel: +1-770 649 9929
Fax: +1-770 649 8884
UK: RFS UK
Tel: +44-1494 447 110
Fax: +44-1494 442 742
SINGAPORE: RFS Singapore

Tel: +65-272 9233
Fax: +65-272 9266
CHINA: RFS Beijing

Tel: +86-10 659 00370
Fax: +86-10 659 06932
ITALY: RFS Italia

Tel: +39-039 2 14 85 69
Fax: +39-039 2 14 85 53
THAILAND: RFS Thailand

Tel: +66-2 273 8051-2
Fax: +66-2 273 8053
CHINA: RFS Shanghai

Tel: +86-21 5836 8417
Fax: +86-21 5836 8291
RUSSIA: RFS Moscow

Tel: +7-095 258 0632
Fax: +7-095 258 0633
INDONESIA: RFS Indonesia

Tel: +62-21 797 60 76
Fax: +62-21 797 60 77
HONG KONG: RFS Hong Kong

Tel: +852-2861 4438
Fax: +852-2861 4488
Please visit us on the internet at http: //www.rfs-group.com

2299.050.PM 171 001 56 - 01
R F S
C o n n

Coverage Evaluations in Tunnels

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Coverage Evaluations in Tunnels

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

A4 RZ COVERAGE orange 3.

08.07.1999 9:55 Uhr

RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEMS

Reprint from the proceedings of the

Innens. A4 -Orange 1-3

08.07.1999 9:49 Uhr

Text COVERAGE EVALUA.FE

08.07.1999 9:54 Uhr