REVIEW PAPER International J. of Recent Trends in Engineering and Technology, Vol. 3, No.

2, May 2010

A Survey on Path Loss Models Used In Wireless Communication System Design

Dinesh Sharma1, Purnima K Sharma2, Vishal Gupta3, and R.K Singh4
1 2

Doctoral candidate,UTU,Dehradun, India Email: Sharma82dinesh@gmail.com Doctoral candidate,UTU,Dehradun, India, 3 Doctoral candidate,IIT,Roorkee, India Email: purnima_kadali@rediffmail.com , Email: 19766dpt@iitr.ernet.in 4 Professsor, KEC , Dhawarahat, India Email: rksinghkec12@rediffmail.com radio link and interference from other users in the cellular reuse environment [2].A mobile channel is characterized by multipath reception,where the signal offered to the receiver contains direct line-of-sight radio wave, as well as large number of reflected waves, as described in Fig. 1.These reflected waves result in a significant abjection in the performance of the network. Therefore a wireless communications network has to be designed in such a way that these inauspicious effects are minimized. In this paper propagation models are proposed to theoretically calculate multipath fading effects over a given terrain.

Abstract---This paper characterizes different models of variation in received signal power over distance due to path loss and shadowing. Path loss is caused by dissipation of the power radiated by the transmitter as well as effects of the propagation channel. Path loss models generally assume that path loss is the same at a given transmit-receive distance. Shadowing is caused by obstacles between the transmitter and receiver that absorb power. Variation due to path loss occurs over very large distances (100- 1000 m), whereas variation due to shadowing occurs over distances proportional to the length of the obstructing object (10-100 m in outdoor environments and less in indoor environments).Since variations due to path loss and shadowing occur over relatively large distances, this variation is sometimes referred to as large-scale propagation effects or local mean attenuation. KeywordsPath loss, minimum mean square error (MMSE), Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), fixed wireless access (FWA),Received signal strength

Fig.1 Nature of the radio wave in wireless communication

II. PROPAGATION PATH LOSS MODELS A. Simplified Path Loss Model The encyclopedism of signal propagation makes it difficult to obtain a single model that characterizes path loss accurately across a range of different environments. This is a simple model that captures the fundamental nature of signal propagation without recurring to complicated path loss models, which are only approximations to the actual channel anyway. Therefore, the following simplified model for path loss as a function of distance is commonly used for system design: d 0 (1) The dB attenuation is therefore
P r x = Ptx K d
r x

I. INTRODUCTION A wireless network support moving customers. The wireless radio channel acts as a medium for reliable highspeed communication. It is not only susceptible to interference, noise and other channel hinderances, but these hinderances depends on time (Time varying) in unpredictable ways due to user random movement [1] . The antenna height at a mobile terminal is usually very small, typically less than a few meters. So, the antenna is expected to have very little 'clearance', so obstructions and reflecting surfaces in the surrounding area of the antenna have a considerable effect on the characteristics or features of the propagation path. Moreover, the propagation characteristics change from position to position and, if the mobile unit moves, from time to time. Hence, the path of transmission between the transmitter and the receiver can change from simple direct line of sight (LOS) to one that is severely obstructed by buildings, foliage and the environment. Since wireless services are becoming more popular, there is an increasing need for mathematical models to help understand system dynamics and analyze the performance of wireless networks. To prepare the design of wireless communication networks requires a detailed understanding of radio propagation over the specific environment. In general we face two basic problems in wireless network design those are multipath fading of the 115
2010 ACEEE DOI: 01.IJRTET.03.02.88

(d

B m

tx

(d

B m

)+

K ( d B ) 1 0

lo g

1 0

d d 0

(2)

In this approximation, K is a unit less constant which depends on the antenna characteristics and the average channel attenuation, d0 is a reference distance for the antenna far-field, and is the path loss exponent. Due to scattering phenomena in the antenna near-field, the model is generally valid at transmission distances d > d0, where d0 is typically assumed to be 1-10 m indoors and 10-100 m outdoors. The value of K <1 is sometimes set to the free space path loss at distance d0: (3)
K ( d B ) = 2 0 l o g
1 0

And this assumption is supported by empirical data for free-space path loss at a transmission distance of 100 m [9].The value of depends on the propagation

REVIEW PAPER International J. of Recent Trends in Engineering and Technology, Vol. 3, No. 2, May 2010

environment. A table summarizing values for different indoor and outdoor environments and antenna heights at 900 MHz and 1.9 GHz taken from [3-10] is given below.
TABLE I: TYPICAL PATH LOSS EXPONENTS Environment range Urban macro cells 3.7-6.5 Urban micro cells 2.7-3.5 Office building (same floor) 1.6-3.5 Office building (multiple floors) 2-6 Store 1.8-2.2 Factory 1.6-3.3 Home 3

used to predict the path loss in all three environments, namely rural suburban and urban. C. Okumuras Model One of the most general models for signal prediction in large urban macrocells is Okumuras model [14]. This model is applicable frequency ranges of 150-1920 MHz and over distances of 1-100 Km. The base station heights for these measurements were 30-100 m, the upper end of which is higher than typical base stations today. The path loss formula of Okumura is given by L50 (dB) = Lf + Amu( f , d ) G(hf ) G(hr ) GAREA (10) where d is the distance between transmitter and receiver,L50 is the median (50th percentile) value of propagation path loss,Lf is free space path loss, Amu is the median attenuation,G(hf) is the base station antenna height gain factor,G(hr) is the mobile antenna height gain factor, and GAREA is the gain due to the type of environment. The values of Amu and GAREA are obtained from empirical plots [14,3]. Okumura derived empirical formulas for G(ht) and G(hr) as (11) h
G ( h t ) = 2 0 lo g 10
G (h ) = 1 0 lo g
t

B. Stanford University Interim (SUI) Model The proposed standards for the frequency bands below 11 GHz contain the channel models developed by Stanford University, namely the SUI models. These models are defined for the Multipoint Microwave Distribution System (MMDS) frequency band.[13]These models are divided into three types of terrains, namely A, B and C. Type A is associated with maximum path loss and is appropriate for hilly terrain with moderate to heavy foliage densities. Type C is associated with minimum path loss and applies to flat terrain with light tree densities. Type B is characterized with either mostly flat terrains with moderate to heavy tree densities or hilly terrains with light tree densities. The basic path loss equation presented in [11,12], d + X + X + s for d >d 0 (4) PathLoss = A + 10 log
10

, 3 0 m < ht < 1 0 0 0 m 200

r

1 0

, h

3 m

(12) (13)

h ,3m <h <10m = 2 0 lo g 10 r r 3

d0

where, d is the distance between the Access Points (AP) and the CPE antennas in meters, d0 = 100 m and s is a log normally distributed factor that is used to account for the shadow fading owing to trees and other clutter and has a value between 8.2 dB and 10.6 dB [11]. The other parameters are , (5) d 4
A = 2 0 l o g
1 0

Correction factors related to terrain are also developed in [14] that improve the model accuracy. Okumuras model is wholly based on measured data and doesnt provide any analytical explanation. The major disadvantage with the model is its slow response to rapid changes in the terrain; therefore the model is fairly good in urban and suburban aeas, but not good in rural area. D. Hata Model The Hata model [15] is an empirical formulation of the graphical path loss data provided by Okumura.The formula for median path loss under the Hata model is L 50,urban (dB) = 69.55+26.16 log 10 (f c )-13.82 log 10 (h te )-a (14)
(h re )+(44.9-6.55 log10(h te )) log 10 (d).

c h

b h

b s

(6)
b s

where, the parameter hbs is the base station height . The constants used for a, b and c are given in Table II. The parameter in (6) is equal to the path loss exponent.
TABLE 1I NUMERICAL VALUES FOR THE SUI MODEL PARAMETERS Model parmeter Terrain Terrain B Terrain A C 4.6 4.0 3.6 A 0.0075 0.0065 0.005 b ( m 1 ) 12.6 17.1 20 c(m)

Where, a(hre) is a correction factor for the mobile antenna height based on the size of the coverage area. For small to medium sized cities, this factor is given by [3,15] (15) a(hr ) = (1.1 log10 (fc ) - 0.7)hr - (1.56 log10 (fc ) -0.8)dB

and for larger cities at frequencies f c > 300 MHz by

a ( h r ) = 3 .2 ( lo g 1 0 ( 1 1 .7 5 h r ) 2 - 4 .9 7 d B .

(16)

The correction factors for the in use frequency and for the CPE antenna height for the model are [11,13], f (7) And X = 6 .0 lo g
f 10

2000

Corrections to the urban model are made for suburban and rural propagat, so that these models are, respectively, L50,suburban (dB) = L50,urban (dB) - 2[log10 (fc /28)]2 - 5.4 (17)
L 5 0 ,r u ra l ( d B ) = L 5 0 ,u rb a n (d B ) - 4 .7 8 [lo g 1 0 ( f c ) ] 2 + 1 8 .3 3 lo g 1 0 (f c ) - K

= 1 0 .8 lo g 10

hr 2000

for Terrain types A and B (8)

(18)

= for Terrain type C (9) Where, f is the frequency in MHz and hr is the CPE antenna height above ground in meters. The SUI model is 116
2010 ACEEE DOI: 01.IJRTET.03.02.88

where K ranges from 35.94 (countryside) to 40.94 (desert). Thus, it is a good model for first generation cellular systems, but does not model propagation well in current cellular systems with smaller cell sizes and higher

REVIEW PAPER International J. of Recent Trends in Engineering and Technology, Vol. 3, No. 2, May 2010

frequencies. Indoor environments are also not captured with the Hata model.
E. COST231 Extension to Hata Model This model is widely used for predicting path loss in wireless system [16,13].This model is used in the frequncy band from500MHz to2000MHz.Italso contains corrections for urban,suburban& rural(flat) environments. The basic equation for path loss in dB is

factors: L = P0 Q 2 P1 , (26) where P0 is the free space path loss for omni directional antennas, Q2 reflects the signal power reduction due to buildings that block the receiver at street level, and P1 is based on the signal loss from the rooftop to the street due to diffraction. The model has been adopted for the IMT-2000 standard.
H. Longley rice model This model is applicable to point to point communication systems in the frequency range from 40MHz to 100GHz, over different kinds of terrain. This method operates in two modes. (1) When a detailed terrain path profile is available, the path specific parameters can be easily determined and the prediction is called appoint to point mode predication. (2) If the terrain path profile is not available, this method provides techniques to estimate the path specific parameters. There have been many modifications and corrections to this model since its original publication. One defect of this model is that it does not provide a way of determining corrections due to environmental factors in the immediate vicinity of the mobile receiver to account for the effects of buildings and foliage. multipath is not considered. [3] I. Egli Propagation Model It is a simplified model that assumes "gently rolling terrain with average hill heights of approximately 50 feet. In this model no terrain elevation data between the transmit and receive facilities is needed. In place of, the free-space propagation loss is adjusted for the height of the transmit and receive antennas above ground. Like many other models, Egli is based on measured propagation paths and then reduced to mathematical model. This model consists of a single equation for the propagation loss [20,21,22] A = 117 + 40log Dmiles + 20log F 20log( HT * H R ) (27)

[3],

PL=46.3+33.9log10 ( f ) 13.82 log10 ( hbs ) ahm +(44.9 6.55log10 (hbs )) log10 d + cm

(19) ah m = 3.20(log10 (11.75h r )) 2 -4.97, for f > 400 MHz (20) for suburban or rural (flat) environments, ah m = (1.1 log10 f - 0.7)h r - (1.56 log10 f - 0.8) (21) where, hbs is the AP antenna height above ground level in metres & hr is the CPE antenna height above ground level. The parameter cm is defined as 0 dB for suburban and 3 dB for urban environments. The parameter ahm is defined for urban environments as [17].Observation of (19) to (21) reveals that the path loss exponent of the predictions made by COST-231 Hata model is given by, (22) n cost = (44.9 6.55log10 (hbs )) 10
F. ECC-33 model This model is developed by Electronic Communication Committee (ECC) & extrapolated from original measurements by Okumura and modified its assumptions so that it more closely represents a fixed wireless access (FWA) system. The path loss model is defined as, (23) PL(dB) = Af s +Ab m - G t - G r

where, Af s is freespace attenuation, Ab m is basic median path loss, G t is BS height gain factor and G r is received antenna height gain factor.They individually defined as, (24) = 9 2 .4 + 2 0 lo g ( d ) + lo g ( f ) a n d A
fs

A b m = 2 0 .4 1 + 9 .8 3 lo g ( d ) + 7 .8 9 4 lo g ( f ) + 9 .5 6 G
t

[l o g (

f )]

hbs = lo g 1 3 .9 5 8 + 200

(5 . 8

l o g ( d ) )

for medium city environments,

G r = [ 4 2 .5 7 + 1 3 .7 lo g ( f ) ][ lo g ( h m ) 0 .5 8 5 ]

Where, A is the attenuation in dB (between dipoles), D is the path distance in miles , F is the frequency in MHz, HT is the transmitter antenna height (AGL) in feet, HR is the receiver antenna height(AGL) in feet The equation used for Free Space loss between half-wave dipole antennas (in dB) is: AFS = 32.27 + 20 log Dmiles + 20 log FMHZ (28) To insulate the portion of the loss attributable to Egli considerations, subtract the free-space portion from the computed Egli attenuation: (29) AEgli = A AFS = 84.73 + 20 log Dmiles 20 log( H T * H R ) If the value ofAEgli is zero or less, the free space field value is used. The simplicity of the model makes it one of the fastest for computing field strength values[21]. Obviously, like other model, Egli should be used only in circumstances that fit its assumptions. The Egli model should not be used in areas of rugged terrain, significant obstructions,[22,2] etc. Egli says it is "limited to those geographical areas which are similar to plane earth, such as relatively short over-water and very flat barren land paths." Singer points out, "This model was based on data taken over radials mainly throughout the eastern seaboard 117

(25)

where, f is frequency in GHz,The performance analysis is based on the calculation of received signal strength, path loss between the base station and mobile from the propagation model. The GSM based cellular d is distance between base station and mobile (km) hbs is BS antenna height in meters and hm is mobile antenna height .
G. Walfisch- Bertoni Model The COST extension to the Hata model does not consider the impact of diffraction from rooftops and buildings. A model for these effects was developed by Walfisch and Bertoni [19,3]. This model uses diffraction to predict average signal strength at street level. The model considers the path loss to be the product of three
2010 ACEEE DOI: 01.IJRTET.03.02.88

REVIEW PAPER International J. of Recent Trends in Engineering and Technology, Vol. 3, No. 2, May 2010

and central plains states. The data were measured with receiver-transmitter distances of 40 miles."
J. Bullington model: This model approximates techniques to compute the diffraction loss over multiple knife edges. It defines a new effective obstacle at the point where the line-of-sight from two antennas cross [22,2]. This has many practical applications in urban and rural areas. K. Epstein-Peterson mode: This model is similar in nature to the Bullington model with the exception that it suggests to draw line-of-sight between relevant obstacle, and to add the diffraction losses at each obstacle. However this method does not take urban losses into Account, and 10 dB or more must be added to the calculated loss in urban areas [22,2]

III. CONCLUSIONS Here we surveyed different models to calculate path loss in different types of environments and then the received signal strength from the base stations was calculated to determine which model minimized the number of handoffs. The Hata-Okumura model has widespread applications in an open environment but is severely limited in built-up areas. The Walfisch-Ikegami model prevails well in city and suburban areas and therefore has the edge over the Hata-Okumura model. The Longley-Rice model is meticulous but accurate and has applications over very rough terrain, this can be an advantage in certain circumstances. The Egli model though draggy can generally be used under most environmental conditions since it is a statistical model. As reference models the Bullington and Epstein-Peterson are readily available. It is clearly seen that the selection of an appropriate propagation model determines how many base stations are required to provide a particular coverage for a network. REFERENCES
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2010 ACEEE DOI: 01.IJRTET.03.02.88