Mobile Radio Propagation

MOBILE RADIO PROPAGATION
LARGE SCALE PATH LOSS

By: Submitted to:
Name: Teshome Yemer Bitew Dr. Yihenew Wondie
ID No: ATR/1235/08
Communication Stream, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology
Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Radio Wave Propagation

Radio propagation is the behavior of radio waves as they travel, or are propagated, from one point to
another, or into various parts of the atmosphere. Several different types of propagation are used in
practical radio transmission systems. Line-of-sight propagation means radio waves, which travel in a
straight line from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. Line-of-sight transmission is used for
medium-distance radio transmission, such as cell phones, cordless phones, walkie-talkies, wireless
networks, FM radio, television broadcasting, radar, and satellite communication (such as satellite
television).
Line-of-sight transmission on the surface of the Earth is limited to the distance to the visual horizon,
which depends on the height of transmitting and receiving antennas. It is the only propagation method
possible at microwave frequencies and above.
Unlike wired channels that are stationary and predictable, radio channels are extremely random and time
varying Even the speed of motion impacts how rapidly the signal level fades as a mobile terminal moves
in space.
Types of radio propagation

There are a number of categories into which different types of RF propagation can be placed. These relate
to the effects of the media through which the signals propagate.
Free space propagation: Here the radio waves travel in free space, or away from other objects which
influence the way in which they travel. It is only the distance from the source which affects the way in
which the signal strength reduces. This type of radio propagation is encountered with radio
communications systems including satellites where the signals travel up to the satellite from the ground
and back down again.
Ground wave propagation: When signals travel via the ground wave they are modified by the ground or
terrain over which they travel. They also tend to follow the Earth's curvature. Signals heard on the
medium wave band during the day use this form of RF propagation.
Ionospheric propagation: Here the radio signals are modified and influenced by a region high in the
earth's atmosphere known as the ionosphere. This form of radio propagation is used by radio
communications systems that transmit on the HF or short wave bands. Using this form of propagation,
stations may be heard from the other side of the globe dependent upon many factors including the radio
frequencies used, the time of day, and a variety of other factors.
Tropospheric propagation: Here the signals are influenced by the variations of refractive index in the
troposphere just above the earth's surface. Tropospheric radio propagation is often the means by which
signals at VHF and above are heard over extended distances.
Factors affecting radio propagation

There are many factors that affect the way in which radio signals or radio waves propagate. These are
determined by the medium through which the radio waves travel and the various objects that may appear
in the path. The properties of the path by which the radio signals will propagate governs the level and
quality of the received signal.
Reflection, refraction, diffraction and Scattering may occur. The resultant radio signal may also be a
combination of several signals that have travelled by different paths. These may add together or subtract
from one another, and in addition to this, the signals travelling via different paths may be delayed causing
distorting of the resultant signal. It is therefore very important to know the likely radio propagation
characteristics that are likely to prevail.
The distances over which radio signals may propagate varies considerably. For some radio
communications applications only a short range may be needed. For example a Wi-Fi link may only need
to be established over a distance of a few meters.
On the other hand, a short wave broadcast station, or a satellite link would need the radio waves to travel
over much greater distances. Even for these last two examples of the short wave broadcast station and the
satellite link, the radio propagation characteristics would be completely different, the signals reaching
their final destinations having been affected in very different ways by the media through which the
signals have travelled.
As a form of electromagnetic radiation, like light waves, radio waves are affected by the phenomena
of reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption, polarization, and scattering.
Due to multiple reflections from various objects, EM waves travel along different paths of varying
lengths. The interaction between those waves causes multipath fading at a specific location. Strength of
the wave decreases as the distance between the transmitter and receiver increases.
In general multipath propagation leads to fading at the receiver site. Fading is a deviation of the
attenuation that a signal experiences over certain propagation media. It may vary with time, position
and/or frequency.
Propagation models
 Large-scale models (mean signal strength for large transmitter receiver separation)
 Small-scale models (rapid fluctuations of the received signal over very short travel distances)
Classification of Fading
Large-scale fading (gradual change in local average of signal level)
Small-scale fading (rapid variations due to random multipath signals)
Large-Scale Path Loss Model

Predicts the average received signal strength at a given distance from the transmitter. Useful in estimating
the coverage area of an antenna and characterize signal strength over large transmitter receiver (T-R)
separation distance. It will cover several hundreds or thousands of meters. Typically, the local average
received power is computed by averaging signal measurements over a measurement track of 5λ to 40λ.
For cellular system in 1~2 GHz, this corresponds to 1~10m.
Small-Scale Fading Model

Focus on signal strength variation in close spatial proximity to a particular location and characterize the
rapid fluctuations of the received signal strength over very short travel distances (a few wavelengths) or
Short time durations (in the order of seconds).
The received power may vary by 30-40 dB when the receiver is moved by fraction of a wavelength. This
is because the received signal is a sum of many contributions (with random phases) coming from different
directions.
Free Space Propagation

The free space propagation model is the simplest scenario for the propagation of radio signals. Here
they are considered to travel outwards from the point where they are radiated by the antenna.
It can be shown that the level of the signal falls as it moves away from the point where it has been
radiated.
The rate at which it falls is proportional to the inverse of the square of the distance.
k
Signal level=
d2
Where: k = constant
d = distance from the transmitter
As a simple example this means that the signal level of a transmission will be a quarter of the strength at 2
metres distance that it is at 1 metre distance.
Free space path loss

It is possible to calculate the path loss between a transmitter and a receiver. The path loss proportional to
the square of the distance between the transmitter and receiver as seen above and also to the square of the
frequency in use.
The free space path loss can be expressed in terms of either the wavelength or the frequency. Both
equations are given below:
In terms of wavelength
4 πd 2
FSPL= ( ¿¿
λ
In terms of frequency
4 πdf 2
FSPL= ( ¿¿
c
Where:
FSPL = Free space path loss
d = distance from the transmitter to the receiver (metres)
λ = signal wavelength (metres)
f = signal frequency (Hz)
c = speed of light (metres per second)
Propagation mechanisms
Reflection and ground reflection model
Diffraction
Scattering.
Ground Reflection (2-Ray) Model

Free space propagation model is inaccurate in practice
LOS and reflection from the ground is also important
Diffraction
Occurs when radio path is obstructed (shadowed) by a surface that has sharp irregularities (edges).
Received power decreases rapidly as a receiver moves deeper into an obstructed region. However,
diffracted field still exists and often has sufficient strength to produce a useful signal. Diffraction explains
how radio signals travel without LOS in urban environment as well as curved surface of the earth.
Diffraction can be explained by Huygen’s principle; all points on a wave front (including bending) can be
considered as point sources for the production of secondary waves. At each point, the wave field is
effectively re-radiating in all directions.
Scattering
Received signal in a mobile radio environment is often greater than predicted by reflection and diffraction
models. Because when a radio wave impinges on a rough surface, the reflected energy is spread out
(diffused) in all directions due to scattering. Scattering occurs when dimensions of objects in the medium
are smaller or comparable to  and when number of obstacles per unit volume is large, e.g., millimeter
waves Small objects, rough surfaces, foliage, street signs, lamp posts Scattering causes transmitted energy
to be radiated in many directions.
Scattering has two important effects
1. Rough surface scattering reduces power in the reflected wave
2. Scattering causes additional multipath to be received in direction other than the specular direction (very
useful phenomena)

Mobile Radio Propagation

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MOBILE RADIO PROPAGATION

LARGE SCALE PATH LOSS

Radio Wave Propagation

Types of radio propagation

Factors affecting radio propagation

Small-scale fading (rapid variations due to random multipath signals)

Large-Scale Path Loss Model

Small-Scale Fading Model

Free Space Propagation

d = distance from the transmitter

Free space path loss

d = distance from the transmitter to the receiver (metres)

λ = signal wavelength (metres)

f = signal frequency (Hz)

c = speed of light (metres per second)

Ground Reflection (2-Ray) Model

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