RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Mobile Radio Propagation

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1. Mobile Radio Propagation –

1.1. Large Scale Path Loss

Introduction to Radio wave propagation

The mechanisms behind electromagnetic wave propagation are diverse, but can generally
be attributed to reflection, diffraction, and scattering.
Most cellular radio systems operate in urban areas where there is no direct line-of-sight
path between the transmitter and the receiver, and where the presence of high-rise
buildings causes severe diffraction loss.
Due to multiple reflections from various objects, the electromagnetic waves travel along
different paths or varying lengths.
The interaction between these waves causes multipath fading at a specific location, and
the strengths of the wave decrease as the distance between the transmitter and receiver
increase.
Propagation models that predict the mean signal strength for an arbitrary transmitter-
receiver (T-R) separation distance are useful in estimating the radio coverage area of a
transmitter and are called large-scale propagation models

On the other hand, propagation models that characterize the rapid fluctuations of the
received signal strength over very short travel distances (a few wavelengths) to short time
durations (on the order of seconds) are called small-scale or fading models
Figure 1.1 illustrates small- scale fading and the more gradual large-scale variations for an
indoor radio communication system.
Notice in the figure that the signal fades rapidly (small scale fading) as the receiver
moves, but the local average signal changes much more gradually with distance

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig. 1.1 Small-scale and large-scale fading

1.2. Free Space Propagation Model

The free space propagation model is used to predict received signal strength when the
transmitter and receiver have a clear, unobstructed line of sight path between them.
The free space power received by a receiver antenna which is separated from a radiating
transmitter antenna by a distance d, is given by the Friis free space equation,
𝑃 2
𝑃𝑟 (𝑑) = (4𝜋)2 𝑑2𝐿 ……(1.1)

where Pt, is the transmitted power,

Pr(d) is the received power which is a function of the T-R separation,

Gt, is the transmitter antenna gain,

Gr, is the receiver antenna gain,

d is the T-R separation distance in meters,
L is the system loss factor not related to propagation (L>= 1), and

𝜆 is the wavelength in meters. The gain of an antenna is related to its effective aperture,
Ae, by
4𝜋𝐴𝑒
𝐺= ……… (1.2)
2

The effective aperture Ae, is related to the physical size of the antenna, and 𝜆 is related to
the carrier frequency f by
𝑐 2𝜋𝑐
𝜆= = ……………. (1.3)
ƒ 𝜔𝑐

f is the carrier frequency in Hertz, 𝜔𝑐, is the carrier frequency in radians/second, and
Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81
 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

c is the speed of light given in meters/s. The values for Pt and Pr must be expressed in the
same units, and Gt and Gr are dimensionless quantities.
The miscellaneous losses L (L>= 1) are usually due to transmission line attenuation, filter
losses, and antenna losses in the communication system.
A value of L = 1, indicates no loss in the system hardware.

The Friis free space equation of (1.1) shows that the received power falls off as the square
the separation distance. This implies that the received power decays with distance at a rate
of 20 dB/decade.
An isotropic radiator is an ideal antenna which radiates power with unit gain uniformly in
all directions, and is often used to reference antenna gains in wireless systems. The
effective Isotropic radiated power (EIRP) is defined as

𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑃 = 𝑃𝑡𝐺𝑡 … … … … … . (1.4)

The path loss for that space model when antenna gains are included is given by

(𝑑𝐵) = 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑃𝑡 = −10 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [ 𝐺𝑡𝐺𝑟2𝜆 ] … … … … … (1.5)

2

𝑃𝑟 (4𝜋) 𝑑

When antenna gains are excluded, the antennas are assumed to have unity gain, and path
loss is given by

(𝑑𝐵) = 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑃𝑡 = −10 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [ 𝜆2 ] … … … … … … … (1.6)

2
𝑃𝑟 (4𝜋) 𝑑

The Fraunhofer distance is given by

2𝐷2
𝑑ƒ = … … … … … . (1.7𝑎)
𝜆
where D is the largest physical linear dimension of the antenna. Additionally, to be in the
far field region, 𝑑ƒ , must satisfy

𝑑ƒ >> 𝐷 ......... (1.7𝑏)

and

𝑑ƒ >> 𝜆 ................. (1.7𝑐)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Example 1.1 Find the far field distance for an antenna with maximum dimension of 1
M and operating frequency of 900 mhz.
Solution
given data the largest dimension of antenna
D=1m
operating frequency f is equal to 900 MHz
𝑐 3 × 108𝑚 / 𝑠
ƒ = 900𝑀𝐻𝑧, 𝜆 = = 𝑚
ƒ 900 × 106112

using equation (1.7a) far field distance is obtained as

2(1)2
𝑑ƒ = = 6𝑚
0.33

Example1.2: The transmitter produces 50 W of power, express the transmit power in

units of a) dBm and b) dBW. If 50 volt is applied to unity and antenna with the 900
MHz carrier frequency find the received power in dBm at free space distance of 100
m from the antenna what is 𝑃𝑟(10) km Assume unity gain for the receiver antenna.

Solution
given
transmitter power𝑃𝑡=50W
carrier frequency of ƒ𝑐 = 900 MHz

using equation 1.9

the transmitter power

(𝑑𝐵𝑚) = 10 [𝑃𝑡(𝑚W)|(1𝑚 W)]=10 𝑙𝑜𝑔[50 × 103] =47.0dBm

transmitter power
(𝑑𝐵W) = 10 [𝑃𝑡(𝑚W)|(1 W)]=10 𝑙𝑜𝑔[50 × 103] =17.0dBW

the receiver power can be obtained using the equation 1.1

𝑃𝑡𝐺𝑡𝐺𝑟 50(1)(1)(1 / 3)2
𝑃𝑟 = = = (3.5 × 10−6)W = 3.5 × 10−3𝑚W
(4𝜋)2 𝑑2𝐿 (4𝜋)2(100)2(1)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

the received power at 10 km can be expressed in terms of this dBm using equation 1.9
where 𝑑0 =100 M and 𝑑0 =10 km

1.3. Relating Power to Electric Field

The free space path loss model can be proven that any radiating structure produces
electric and magnetic fields. Consider a small linear radiator of length L that is placed
coincident with the z-axis and has its center at the origin, as shown in fig 1.2.
Current flows through such an antenna it launches electric and magnetic field that can be
expressed as

Fig 1.2. Illustration of a linear radiator of length L(L« λ), carrying a current of amplitude
and making an angle 𝜃 with a point, at distance d.
Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81
 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

with 𝐸ɸ = 𝐻𝑟 = 𝐻𝜃 = 0, In the above equations, all 1/d terms represents the radiations field
component, all 1/d2 terms represent the induction field component, and all 1/d3 terms
represents electrostatic field component.
As seen from Equations (1.10) to (1.12), the electrostatic Inductive fields decay much faster
with distance than the radiation field.
At regions far away from the transmitter (far-field region), the electrostatic and inductive
fields become negligible and only the radiated field components of 𝐸𝜃and 𝐻ɸ, need be
considered.

which is half of the open circuit voltage at the antenna. Thus, if V is the rms voltage at the
input of a receiver (measured by a high impedance voltmeter), and 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑡: is the resistance of
the matched receiver, the received power is given by

Fig 1.3 (a) Power flux density at a distance d from a point source;
(b) model for voltageapplied to the input of a receiver

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

𝑉2 [𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡/2]2
𝑃𝑟(𝑑) = = …………………(1.16)
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑡

Example 1.3
Assume a receiver is located 10 km from a 50 W transmitter. The carrier frequency is
900 MHz, free space propagation is assumed, 𝐺𝑡 = 1, and 𝐺𝑡 =2, find (a) the power at
the receiver, (b) the magnitude of the E-field at the receiver antenna, (c) the rms voltage
applied to the receiver input assuming that the receiver antenna has a purely real
impedance of 50𝛺 and is matched to the receiver.
Solution

Given:
Transmitter power, 𝑃𝑡 = 50 W
Carrier frequency, ƒ𝑐 = 900 MHz
Transmitter antenna gain, 𝐺𝑡 =1
Receiver antenna gain, 𝐺𝑟 = 2
Receiver antenna resistance = 50𝛺
(a)Using Equation (1.5), the power received at distance d= 10 km is

1 2
50𝑥 1𝑥 2(
𝑃 (𝑑) = = 10 log( 3)
(4𝜋)2𝑑2 (4𝜋)2100002

= -91.5 dBW = -61.5 dBm

(b)Using Equation (1.15), the magnitude of the received E-field is

(𝑑)120𝜋 (𝑑)120𝜋 7 × 10−10 ×120

= 0.0039 𝑉/𝑚
2𝑥0.332/(4𝜋)

(c)Using Equation (1.16), the applied rms voltage at the receiver input is

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.4. Three Basic Propagation Mechanisms

Reflection, diffraction, and scattering are the three basic propagation mechanisms which
impact propagation in a mobile communication system.
Received power (or its reciprocal, path loss) is generally the most important parameter
predicted by large-scale propagation models based on the physics of reflection, scattering,
and diffraction. Reflection occurs when a propagating electromagnetic wave impinges upon
an object which has very large dimensions when compared to the wavelength of the
propagating wave. Reflections occur from the surface of the earth and from buildings and
walls.
Diffraction occurs when the radio path between the transmitter and receiver is obstructed a
surface that has sharp irregularities (edges).
The secondary waves resulting from the obstructing surface are present throughout the space
and even behind the obstacle, giving rise to a bending of waves around the obstacle, even
when a line-of-sight path does not exist between the Transmitter and receiver.
At high frequencies, diffraction, like reflection, depends on the geometry of the object, as
well as the amplitude, phase, and polarization of the incident wave at the point of diffraction.
Scattering occurs when the medium through which the wave travel concepts of object with
dimension that is small compared to the wavelength and where the number of obstacles per
unit volume is large.
Scattered waves are produced by rough surfaces small objects or by other irregularities in the
channel in practice or foliage, Street signs and lamp post induce scattering in a mobile
communication system

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.5. Reflection

When a radio wave propagating in one medium impinges upon another medium having
different electrical properties, the wave is partially reflected and partially transmitted.
If the plane wave is incident on a perfect dielectric, part of the energy is transmitted into the
second medium and part of the energy is reflected back into the first medium, and there is no
loss of energy in absorption.

If the second medium is a perfect conductor, then all incident energy is reflected back into the
first medium without loss of energy.
The electric field intensity of the reflected and transmitted waves may be related to the
incident wave in the medium of origin through the Fresnel reflection coefficient (T).
The reflection coefficient is a function of the material properties, and generally depends on
the wave polarization, angle of incidence, and the frequency of the propagating wave.
In general, electromagnetic waves are polarized, meaning they have instantaneous electric
field components in orthogonal directions in space. A polarized wave may be mathematically
represented as the sum of two spatially orthogonal components, such as vertical and
horizontal or left-hand or right-hand circularly polarized components. For an arbitrary
polarization, superposition may be used to compute the reflected fields from a reflecting
surface.

Fig 1.4 a) E-field in the plane of incidence

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.4 b) E-field normal to the plane of incidence

Fig 1.4 Geometry for calculating the reflection coefficients between two dielectrics

In fig 1.4, i, r, and t refer to Incident, reflected and transmitted fields.

𝜇i, si 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜎i are called as permittivity, permeability and conductance of the media.
The dielectric constant of a perfect dielectric is related to relative value of permittivity,
such that εr=ε/εo , εo is constant given by 8.85x10−12 Farad/meter.

1.5.1 Reflections from dielectrics

𝐸𝑡 = (1 + Г)i ............... (1.23𝑏)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81
 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Г is either Г|| or Г ⟂, depending on weather the E-field is in vertical or normal to the plane
of incidence.

Fig 1.5 Axes for orthogonally polarized components. Parallel and perpendicular
components are related to the horizontal and vertical spatial coordinates.

These are the time varying components of the E-field may be represented by phasors.
R is the Transformation matrix which maps vertical and horizontal polarized components to
the components which are perpendicular and parallel to the plane of incidence.

………..(1.26)

Where 𝜃 is the angle between the two sets of axes.

The depolarization Matrix 𝐷𝑐 is given by

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.6 Magnitude of reflection coefficients as a function of angle of incidence for

s𝑟 =4c𝑟 == 12, using geometry in Fig. 1. 4

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.5.2 Brewster Angle

The Brewster angle is the angle at which no reflection occurs in the medium of origin.
It occurs when the incident angle is such that the reflection coefficient I is equal to zero
(see Fig 1.6). The Brewster angle is given by the value of 𝜃𝐵which satisfies

€1 .................
sin(𝜃𝐵 ) = √ (1.27)
€1 + €2

For the case when medium is free space and the second medium has a relative permittivity

√€𝑟 – 1 ………..
𝑠i(𝜃𝐵 ) = (1.28)
√€2𝑟 −1

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.6. Ground Reflection (two Ray model)

In a mobile radio channel, a single direct path between the base station and a mobile is
seldom the only physical means for propagation, and hence the free space propagation model
of equation (1.5) is in most cases inaccurate when used shown alone.
The two-ray ground reflection model shown in Fig 1.7 is a useful propagation model that is
based on geometric optics and considers both the direct path and ground reflected propagation
path between transmitter and receiver.
This model has been found to be reasonably accurate for predicting the large-scale –signal
strength over distances of several kilometres for mobile radio systems that use tall towers
(heights which exceed 50 m), as well as for line-of-sight microcell channels in urban
environments).
In most mobile communication systems, the maximum T-R separation distance is at most
only a tens of kilometres, and the earth may be assumed to be flat. The total receiver E- field.
(ETOT) is then a result of the direct line-of-sight component, ELOS and the ground reflected
component Eg.

Fig 1.7 Two ray ground ray reflection model.

Referring to Fig 1.7, ℎ𝑡 is the height of the transmitter and ℎ𝑟, is the height of the receiver. If
E is the free space E-field (in units of V/m) at a reference distance 𝑑0from the transmitter,
then for d>𝑑0, the free space propagating E-field is given by

where E(𝑑, 𝑡)) = 𝐸0 𝑑0 represents the envelope of the E-field at d meters from the transmitter.
𝑑
Two propagating waves arrive at the receiver: the direct wave that travels a distance 𝑑′; and
the reflected wave that travels a distance d". The E-field due to the line-of-sight component at

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

the receiver can be expressed as

𝐸0 𝑑 0 𝑑′
𝐸𝐿os (𝑑′, 𝑡) = Г 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜔𝑐 (𝑡 − ))
𝑑′ 𝑐

and the E-field for the ground reflected wave, which has a propagation distance of d, can be
expressed as

According to laws of reflection in dielectrics given in Section 1.5.1

𝜃i = 𝜃0 … … … (1.36)

Eg = ГEi … … … (1.37a)

Et = (1 + Г)Ei … … … (1.37b)
where Г is the reflection coefficient for ground. For small values of 𝜃, (i.e., grazing incidence),
the reflected equal in magnitude and 180° out of phase with the incident wave.

The resultant E-field, assuming perfect horizontal polarization ground reflection (i.e., Гi =- l and
𝐸t = 0), is the vector sum of ELOS and Eg and the resultant total E- field envelope is given by
|𝐸𝑇𝑜𝑇| = |𝐸𝐿0𝑆 + 𝐸g| ................. (1.38)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

The electric field 𝐸𝑇0(d, t) can be expressed as the sum of Equations (1.34) and (1.35)

𝐸0 𝑑 0 𝑑′ 𝐸0 𝑑 0 𝑑′′
(d, 𝑡) = cos (𝜔𝑐 (𝑡 − )) + (−1) ′′ cos (𝜔𝑐 (𝑡 − )) … … … . . (1.39)
𝑑′ 𝑐 𝑑 𝑐

Using the method of images, which is demonstrated by the geometry of Figure 1.8, the path
difference, Δ, between the line-of-sight and the ground reflected paths can be expressed as

Δ = 𝑑′′ − 𝑑′ = √(ℎ𝑡 + ℎ𝑟)2 + 𝑑2 − √(ℎ𝑡 − ℎ𝑟)2 + 𝑑2 ............. (1.40)

When the T-R separation distance d is very large compared to ℎt+ℎ𝑟, Equation (1.40) can be
simplified using a Taylor series approximation
2ℎ𝑡ℎ𝑟 ................................
Δ = 𝑑′′ − 𝑑′ = (1.41)
𝑑

Fig 1.8 The method of images is used to find the path difference between the line of sightand
the ground reflected paths

Once the path difference is known, the phase difference 𝜃∆ between the two E-field
components and the time delay 𝑟𝑑between the arrival of the two components can be easily
computed using the following relations
2𝜋Δ Δ𝜔𝑐
𝜃Δ = = … … … . (1.42)
𝜆 𝑐
Δ 𝜃Δ
𝑟𝑑 = = (1.43)
𝑐 2𝜋ƒ𝑐 ......................

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

It should be noted that as d becomes large, the difference between the distances d' and
d" becomes very small, and the amplitudes of 𝐸𝐿𝑂𝑆 and 𝐸g, are virtually identical and differ
only in phase. That is

𝐸0 𝑑 0 𝐸0 𝑑 0 𝐸0 𝑑0
| |=| | = | | … … … … … … … . . (1.44)
𝑑 𝑑′ 𝑑′′
If the received E-field is evaluated at some time, say at t = d"/c, Equation (1.39) can be
expressed as a phasor sum

𝑑′′ 𝐸0 𝑑 0 𝑑′′ − 𝑑′ 𝐸0 𝑑0
𝐸𝑇𝑜𝑇 (𝑑, 𝑡 = )= )) − cos 00 .......................... (1.45)
cos (𝜔 𝑐 ( 𝑐 𝑑 ′′
𝑐 𝑑 ′

𝐸0 𝑑 0 𝐸0 𝑑 0
∠𝜃Δ −
𝑑′ 𝑑′′
𝐸0 𝑑0
= [∠𝜃 − 1]
′ Δ
𝑑
Where d is the distance over a flat earth between the bases of the transmitter and receiver
antennas. Referring to the phasor diagram of Fig 1.9 which shows how the direct and ground
reflected rays combine, the electric field (at the receiver) at a distance “d” from the
transmitter can be written as

𝐸 𝑑 2 𝐸 𝑑 2
|𝐸 (𝑑)| = √( 0 0) (cos 𝜃 − 1)2 + ( 0 0) sin2 𝜃
𝑇0𝑇 Δ Δ
𝑑 𝑑

Fig 1.9. Phasor diagram showing the electric field components of the line of sight, ground
reflected, and total received E-fields, derived from equations (1.45)

𝐸0𝑑0
|𝐸𝑇0𝑇 (𝑑)| = √2 − 2 cos 𝜃∆ … … … … … … … … (1.47)
𝑑

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Note that if the E-field is assumed to be in the plane of incidence (i.e., vertical polarization
then Г||= 1 and it Equation (1.47) would have a "+" instead of a "-".

Using trigonometric identities, Equation (1.47) can be expressed as

Equation (1.48) is an important expression, as it provides the exact received E-field for the
two-ray ground reflection model.
One notes that for increasing distance from the transmitter, 𝐸𝑇0𝑇 (d) decays in an oscillatory
fashion, with local maxima being 6 dB greater than the free space value and the local minima
plummeting to-∞ dB (the received E-field cancels out to zero volts at certain values of d,
although in reality this never happens).
Once the distance d is sufficiently large, 𝜃Δ becomes ≤ 𝜋 and the received E-field, 𝐸𝑇0𝑇 (d)
then falls off asymptotically with increasing distance. Note that Equation (1.48) may be
simplified whenever sin (𝜃Δ) =𝜃Δ. This occurs when 𝜃Δ is less than 0.3 radian. Using Equations
2 2 2
(1.41) and (1.42)

𝜃Δ 2𝜋ℎ𝑡ℎ𝑟
= < 0.3 𝑟𝑎𝑑 … … … … … . (1.49)
2 𝜆𝑑
which implies that Equation (1.48) may be simplified whenever

20𝜋ℎ𝑡ℎ𝑟 20ℎ𝑡ℎ𝑟
𝑑> = … … … … … (1.50)
3𝜆 𝜆
Thus, as long as d satisfies (1.50), the received E-field can be approximated as

where k is a constant related to 𝐸0, the antenna heights, and the wavelength. This asympo
behavior is identical for both the E-field in the plane of incidence or normal to the plane of
incidence.

The free space power received at “d” is related to the square of the electric field through
Equation (1.15). Combining Equations (1.2), (1.15), and (1.51), the received power at a
distance “d” from the transmitter for the two-ray ground bounce model can be expressed as

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

As seen from Equation (1.52) at large distances (d» √ℎ𝑡ℎ𝑟,). the received power falls off with
distance raised to the fourth power, or at a rate of 40 dB/decade. This is a much more rapid
path loss than is experienced in free space. Note also that at large values of d, the received
power path loss becomes independent of frequency.

The path loss for the two-ray model (with antenna gain can be given by

(𝑑𝐵) = 40 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑑 −(10 log 𝐺𝑡 + 10 log 𝐺𝑟 + 10 log ℎ𝑡 + 10 log ℎ𝑟) .................. (1.53)

Example 1.4
A mobile is located 5 km away from a base station and uses a vertical λ/4monopole antenna With a
gain of 2.55 dB to receive cellular radio signals. The E-field at 1 km from the transmitter is
measured to be 10 v/m. The carrier frequency used for this system is 900 MHz. (a)Find the length and
the effective aperture of the receiving antenna.
(b)Find the received power at the mobile using the two-ray ground reflection model assuming the
height of the transmitting antenna is 50 m and the receiving antenna is 1.5 m above ground.
SolutionGiven:
T-R separation distance = 5 km
E-field at a distance of 1 km = 10 V/mFrequency
of operation, f= 900 MHz

⅄=0.333 m

The received power at a distance d can be obtained using Equation (1.15)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.7. Diffraction

Diffraction of radio signal to propagate and on the curved surfaces of the earth beyond the
horizon, and to propagate behind obstructions.
The receive field strength decreases rapidly as a receiver moves deeper into the obstructed
(shadowed) region, diffraction field still exists and often has the sufficient strength to produce
a useful signal.

The phenomenon of diffraction can be explained by Huygen’s principle it states that all points
on a wavefront can be considered as a point sources for the production of secondary wavelets
and that these wavelets combined to produce a new wavefront in the direction of propagation.
Diffraction is caused by the propagation of secondary wavelets into a shadowed region.
The field strength of the diffracted wave in the shadow region is the vector sum of the
electric field components of all the secondary wavelets space around the obstacles.

1.7.1 Fresnel Zone Geometry

Consider a transmitter and receiver separated in free space as shown in Fig 1.10a.

Let an Obstructing screen of effective height h with infinite width be placed between them
at a distance d1 from the transmitter and d2 from the receiver. It is apparent that the wave
propagating from the transmitter to the receiver via the top of the screen travels a longer
distance than if a direct line-of-sight path (through the screen) existed.
Assuming h «d1, d2 and h » λ, then the difference between the direct path and the diffracted path,
called the excess path length (A), can be obtained from the geometry of Fig 1.10b as in equation 1.54
and the corresponding phase difference is given by equation 1.55.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

ℎ2 (𝑑1 + 𝑑2)
Δ= … … … … … ……….… . . (1.54)
2 𝑑1𝑑2

2𝜋Δ 2𝜋 ℎ2 (𝑑1 + 𝑑2)

ɸ= = … … … … … … … (1.55)
𝜆 𝜆 2 𝑑1 𝑑2

And when tan x=x, then 𝛼=𝛽 + 𝛾 ƒ𝑟𝑜𝑚 ƒi𝑔 1.10𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑
(𝑑1 + 𝑑2)
𝛼 = ℎ( )
𝑑1 𝑑2
Above equation(1.55) is often normalized using the dimensionless Fresnel-Kirchoff
diffraction parameter v and is given by

Where α has units of radians and is shown in figure 1.10b and 1.10c. The parameter υ is
convenient because it allows to be expressed in a convenient form.

From the above equations it is clear that the phase difference between a direct line-of- sight path
and diffracted path is a function of height and position of the obstruction, as well as the
transmitter and receiver location.
In practical diffraction problems, it is advantageous to reduce all heights by a constant, so that
the geometry is simplified without changing the values of the angles. This procedure is shown
in Fig 1.10c. The concept of diffraction loss as a function of the path difference around an
obstruction is explained by Fresnel zones. Fresnel zones represent successive regions where
secondary waves have a path length from the transmitter to receiver which are nλ/2 greater than
the total path length of a line-of-sight path

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.11 demonstrates a transparent plane located between a transmitter and receiver. The
concentric circles on the plane represent the loci of the origins of secondary wavelets
which propagate to the receiver such that the total path length increases by λ /2 for
successive circles. These circles are called Fresnel zones. The successive Fresnel zones
have the effect of alternately providing constructive and destructive interference to the
total received signal.

The radius of the nth Fresnel zone circle is denoted by 𝑟𝑛 and can be expressed in terms of
n, λ, 𝑑1, and 𝑑2 by

… … … … … … (1.58)

This approximation is valid for 𝑑1, 𝑑2 » 𝑟𝑛

The excess total path length traversed by a ray passing through each circle is nλ/2, where
n is an integer. Thus, the path traveling through the smallest circle corresponding to n=1
in Fig 1.1l will have an excess path length of λ/2 as compared to a line-of-sight path, and
circles corresponding to n = 2,3, etc. will have an excess path length of λ, 3λ/2, etc.

The radii of the concentric circles depend on the location of the plane. The Fresnel zones
of Fig 1.11 will have maximum radii if the plane is midway between the transmitter and
receiver, and the radii become smaller when the plane is moved toward either the
transmitter or the receiver.

This effect illustrates how shadowing is sensitive to the frequency as well as the location
of obstructions with relation to the transmitter or receiver. In mobile communication
systems, diffraction loss occurs from the blockage of secondary waves such that only a
portion of the energy is diffracted around an obstacle.
That is, an obstruction causes blockage of energy from some of the Fresnel zones, thus
allowing only some of the transmitted- energy to reach the receiver.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Depending on the geometry of the obstruction, the received energy will be a vector sum
of the energy contributions from all unobstructed Fresnel zones.

Fig 1.10. a) Knife-edge diffraction geometry. The point T denotes the transmitter and R
denotes the receiver, with an infinite knife-edge obstruction blocking the line-of-sight
path.

Fig1.10 b) Knife-edge diffraction geometry that when the transmitter and receiver are not
at the same height. Note that if 𝛼 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛽 are small and h<«d1 and d2,then h and h'
are virtually identical and the geometry may be redrawn as shown in Fig1.10c.

Fig 1.10c) Equivalent knife-edge geometry with the smallest height in this case hr is
refracted from all other height
Fig 1.10 Diagrams of knife-edge geometry

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.11 Concentric circles which define the boundaries of successive Fresnel zones.

As shown in Fig 1.12, an obstacle may block the transmission path, and a family of ellipsoids
can be constructed between a transmitter and receiver by joining all the points for which the
excess path delay is an integer multiple of half wavelengths. The ellipsoids represent Fresnel
zones.
Note that the Fresnel zones are elliptical in shape with the transmitter and receiver antenna at
their foci. In Fig1.12, different knife edge diffraction scenarios are shown. In general, if an
obstruction does not block the volume contained within the first Fresnel zone, then the
diffraction loss will be minimal, and diffraction effects may be neglected.

In fact, a rule of thumb used for design of line of-sight microwave links is that as long as 55%
of the first Fresnel zone is kept clear, then further Fresnel zone clearance does not
significantly alter the diffraction loss.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.12 lustration of Fresnel zones for different knife-edge diffraction scenarios

1.7.2 Knife-edge Diffraction Model

Estimating the signal attenuation caused by diffraction of radio waves over hills and buildings
is essential in predicting the field strength in a given service area.
Generally, it is impossible to make very precise estimates of the diffraction losses, and in
practice prediction is a process of theoretical approximation modified by necessary empirical
corrections.
Though the calculation of diffraction losses over complex and irregular terrain is a
mathematically difficult problem, expressions for Diffraction losses for many simple cases
have been derived.
As a starting point, the limiting case of propagation over a knife-edge gives good insight into
the order of magnitude of diffraction loss.
When shadowing is caused by a single object such as a hill or mountain, the attenuation
caused by diffraction can be estimated by treating the obstruction as a diffracting knife edge.
This is the simplest of diffraction models, and the diffraction loss in this case can be readily
estimated using the classical Fresnel solution for the field behind a knife edge (also called a
half plane). Fig 1.13 illustrates this approach.

Fig 1.13 lustration of knife-edge diffraction geometry. The receiver R is located in the
shadow region.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Consider a receiver at point R, located in the shadowed region (also called the diffraction
zone). The field strength at point R in Fig1.13 is a vector sum of the fields due to all of the
secondary Huygen's sources in the plane above the knife edge. The electric field strength, 𝐸𝑑
of a knife-edge diffracted wave is given by

𝐸𝑑 (1 + j) ∞
= 𝐹(𝑣) = ∫ exp((−j𝜋𝑡2) / 2) 𝑑𝑡 .................... (1.59)
𝐸0 2 𝑣

where 𝐸0 is the free space field strength in the absence of both the ground and the knife edge
and F(v) is the complex Fresnel integral. The Fresnel integral, F(v), is a function of the
Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction parameter v, defined in Equation (1.56), and is commonly
evaluated using tables or graphs for given values of v. The diffraction gain due to the
presence of a knife edge, as compared to the free space E-field, is given by

Gd(𝑑𝐵) = 20 log|(𝑣)|..................... (1.60)

In practice, graphical or numerical solutions are relied upon to compute diffraction gain. A
graphical representation of (𝑑𝐵) as a function of v is given in Figure 1.14. An approximate
solution for Equation (1.60) provided by
Gd (𝑑𝐵) = 0, 𝑉 ≤ −1 ................... (1.61a)
Gd (𝑑𝐵) = 20 log(0 · 5 − 0 · 62𝑣), − 1 ≤ 𝑣 ≤ 0 .................. (1.61b)
Gd (𝑑𝐵) = 20 log(0 · 5 exp(−0.95𝑣) 0 ≤ 𝑣 ≤ 1 ................... (1.61c)

Gd (𝑑𝐵) = 20 log (0.4 −√(0.1184 − (0.38 − 0.1𝑣2)) 1 ≤ 𝑣 ≤ 2.4 .................. (1.61d)

0 · 225
Gd (𝑑𝐵) = 20 log 𝑉 > 2.4.................. (1.61e)
𝑣
knife edge diffraction geometry

Fig. 1.14 Fresnel diffraction parameter v versus knife edge diffraction gain (Gd, dB)
Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81
 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.7.3 Multiple Knife-edge Diffraction

In many practical situations, especially in hilly terrain, the propagation path consist of more
than one obstruction, than one obstruction, in which case the total diffraction loss due to all or
to all of the obstacles must be computed.
Bullington [Bul47] suggested that the series of obstacles be replaced by a single equivalent
obstacle so that the path loss can be obtained using single knife edge diffraction models.
Fig 1.15 oversimplifies the calculations an often provides very optimistic estimates of the
received signal strength

Fig 1.15 Bullington's construction of an equivalent knife edge [from [Bul47]IEEE]

1.8. Scattering
Actual received signal in a mobile radio environment is often stronger than what is
predicted by reflection and diffraction models alone.
This is because when a radio wave impinges on a rough surface, the reflected energy is
spread out (diffused) in all directions due to scattering. Fig 1.16 shows the scattering.

Objects such as lamp posts and trees tend to scatter energy in all directions, thereby
providing additional radio energy at a receiver.

Fig 1.16 Scattering

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

• Flat surfaces that have much larger dimension than a wavelength may be modeled as
reflective surfaces.
• However, the roughness of such surfaces often induces propagation effects different
from the specular reflection described
• Surface roughness is often tested using the Rayleigh criterion which defines a critical
height (ℎ𝑐) of surface protuberances for a given angle of incidence 𝜃i, given by
𝜆
ℎ𝑐 = … … … … . . (1.62)
8 sin 𝜃i

• A surface is considered smooth if its minimum to maximum protuberance h is less

than ℎ𝑐 and is considered rough if the protuberance is greater than ℎ𝑐.
• For rough surfaces, the flat surface reflection coefficient needs to be multiplied by a
scattering loss factor, 𝜌𝑠. to account for the diminished reflected field. Ament [the
author]assumed that the surface height h is a Gaussian distributed random variable
with a local mean and found 𝜌𝑠 to be given by
𝜋𝜎ℎ 𝑠i𝑛 𝜃i 2
𝜌𝑠 = 𝑒𝑥𝑝 [−8 ( ) ] … … … … … (1.63)
𝜆

• where 𝜎ℎ, is the standard deviation of the surface height about the mean surface height
. The scattering loss factor derived by Ament was modified by Boithias to give better
agreements with measured results, and is given in
𝜋𝜎ℎ 𝑠i𝑛 𝜃i 2 𝜋𝜎𝑛 𝑠i𝑛 𝜃i 2
𝜌𝑠 = 𝑒𝑥𝑝 [−8 ( ) ] 𝐼0 [−8 ( ) ] … … … … … … … (1.64)
𝜆 𝜆

Where 𝐼0 is the Bessel functions of the first kind and zero order
• The reflected E-fields for h > ℎ𝑐 can be solved for rough surfaces using a modified
reflection coefficient given as

Г𝑟𝑜 gℎ = 𝜌𝑠Г ........................(1.65)

1.8.1 Radar Cross Section Model

• In radio channels where large, distant o scattering, knowledge of the physical location
of such objects can be used to accurately predict scattered signal strength.
• The radar cross section (RCS) of a scattering object is defined as the ratio of the
power density of the signal scattered in the direction of the receiver to the power
density of the radio wave incident upon the
• Scattering object, and has units of square meters. Analysis based on the geometric
theory of diffraction and physical optics may be used to determine the scattered field
strength.
• The bi-static radar equation describes the propagation of a wave traveling in free
space which impinges on a distant sea scattering object, and is then reradiated in the
direction of the receiver, given by
PR(𝑑𝐵𝑚) = PT(𝑑𝐵𝑚) + 𝐺𝑇(𝑑𝐵i) + 20 log(𝜆) + 𝑅𝐶𝑆(𝑑𝐵𝑚 2) − 30 log(4𝜋)
− 20 log 𝑑𝑇 − 20 log 𝑑𝑅 .................. (1.66)
Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81
 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Where 𝑑𝑇 and 𝑑𝑅 are the distance from the scattering object to the transmitter and receiver
respectively.
In Equation (1.66), the scattering object is assumed to be in the far field (Fraunhofer region)
of both the transmitter and receiver. The variable RCS is given in units of dB 𝑚 2 can be
approximated by the surface area (in square meters) of the scattering measured in dB with
respect to a one square meter reference.

1.9. Practical Link Budget

Radio propagation models are derived using a combination of analytical and empirical
methods .The empirical approach is based on fitting curves or analytical expressions that
recreate aset of measured data.
Propagation models are now used to predict large-scale coverage for mobile
communication systems design.

1.9.1 Long Distance Path loss Model

The average large-scale path loss for an arbitrary T-R separation is expressed as a
function of distance by using a path loss exponent, n

… … … … … . . (1.67)

… … … … … . . (1.68)

n is the Path loss exponent which indicates the rate at which the path loss increases with
distance
𝑑0 is the close in reference distance which is determined from measurements close to the
transmitter, and d is the T-R separation distance.
The bar indicates the ensemble average of all possible path loss values for a given value
of d.

1.9.2 Log-normal Shadowing

Measurements have shown that at any value of d, the path loss PL(d) at a particular
location is random and distributed log-normally (normal in dB) about the mean distance-
dependent value, that is

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

(𝑑)[𝑑𝐵𝑚] = [𝑑𝐵𝑚] − 𝑃(𝑑)[𝑑𝐵] 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑔𝑎i𝑛𝑠 i𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑑 i𝑛 𝑃𝐿(𝑑)...................... (1.69𝑏)

Where X𝜎is a zero-mean Gaussian distributed random variable (in dB) with standard
deviation σ (also in dB).
The log-normal distribution describes the random shadowing effects which occur over a
large number of measurement locations which have the same T-R separation, but have
different levels of clutter on the propagation path.
This phenomenon is referred to as log-normal shadowing.
Log-normal shadowing implies that measured signal levels at a specific T-R Separation is
Gaussian (normal) distribution about the distance-dependent mean of (1.68), where the
measured signal levels have values in dB units.
The standard deviation of the Gaussian distribution that describes the shadowing.

The close-in reference distance 𝑑0, the path loss exponent n, and the standard deviation
statistically describe the path loss model for an arbitrary location having a specific T-R
separation, and this model may be used in computer simulation to provide received power
levels for random locations in communication system design and analysis.

In practice, the values of n and σ are computed from measured data, using linear
regression such that the difference between the measured and estimated path losses is
minimized in a mean square error sense over a wide range of measurement locations and
T-R separations.
The value of PL(d) in (1.69a) is based on either close-in measurements or on a free space
assumption from the transmitter to 𝑑0. An example of how the path loss exponent is
determined from measured data follows.
Fig 1.17 shows the actual measured data in several cellular radio systems and demonstrate
the random variations about the mean path loss (in dB) due to shadowing at specific T-R
separations.
Since PL(d) is a random variable with a normal distribution in dB about the distance
dependent mean, so is Pr(d), and the Q-function or error function (erf) may be used to
determine the probability that the received signal level will exceed (or fall below) a
particular level. The Q-function is defined as

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

∞
1 𝑥2 1 𝑧
(𝑧) = ∫ exp (− ) · 𝑑𝑥 = [1 − erf ( )] … … … … … … (1.70𝑎)
√2𝜋 2 2 √2
−∞

Where

(𝑍) = 1 − (−𝑍) … … … … … … … . (1.70𝑏)

The probability that the received signal level (in dB power units) will exceed certain
value 𝛾 can be calculated from the cumulative density function as

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.17 Scatter plot of measured data and corresponding MMSE path loss model formany
Cities in Germany. For this data, n = 2.7 and o = 11.8 dB [from [Sei91]© IEEE].

1.9.3. Determination of Percentage of Coverage Area

It is clear that due to random effects of shadowing, some locations within a coverage area will
below a particular desired received signal threshold.
It is often useful to compute how the boundary coverage relates to the percent of area covered
within the boundary.
For a circular coverage area having radius R from a base station, let there be some desired
received signal threshold 𝛾.

We find u(𝛾) the percentage of useful service area (i.e. the percentage of area with a received
signal that is equal or greater than y), given a known likelihood of coverage at the Cell
boundary.

Letting d = r represent the radial distance from the transmitter, it can be shown that if [𝑃𝑟(r)
> 𝛾 is the probability that the random received signal at d = r exceeds the threshold 𝛾 within
an incremental area dA. then U(𝛾) can be found by

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.10. Broadband wireless channel: Path loss and Shadowing

The main goal is to understand the fundamental factors affecting the received signals in a
wireless system. We model the channel
Table 1.1Key Wireless Channel Parameters

Symbol Parameter
𝖺 Path loss exponent
v Number of ISI taps in channel (v+1 is total number of taps
𝜎𝑠 Log normal shadowing standard deviation
ƒ𝐷 Doppler spread (maximum Doppler frequency), fD=𝑣ƒ𝑐
𝑐
c Speed of light
𝑣 Relative speed between transmitter and receiver
ƒ𝑐 Carrier frequency
𝜆 Carrier wavelength, fcλ =c
𝑇𝑐 Channel coherence time, Te jD
𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑥 Channel delay spread (maximum)
𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑠
Channel delay spread (Root Mean Square)
𝐵𝑐 Channel coherence bandwidth, B
𝜃𝑟𝑚𝑠 Angular spread (Root Mean Square)

The overall model we will use for describing the channel in discrete time is a simple
tap-delay line (TDL):
ℎ[𝑘, 𝑡] = ℎ0𝛿[𝑘, 𝑡] + ℎ1𝛿[𝑘 − 1, 𝑡] + ⋯ … + ℎ𝑣𝛿[𝑘 − 𝑣, 𝑡] .................... (1.74)

Assuming that the channel is static over a period of (v +1) T seconds, the output of
the channel can then be described as
∞
[𝑘, 𝑡] = ∑ ℎ[j, 𝑡] 𝑥[𝑘 − j] .................... (1.75)
j=−∞

[𝑘, 𝑡 ] = ℎ[𝑘, 𝑡] * 𝑥[𝑘] ............................ (1.76)

where x[k] is an input sequence of data symbols with rate 1/T, and * denotes convolution. In
simpler notation, the channel can be represented as a time varying (𝑣 + 1)x1 column vector.
ℎ(𝑡) = [ℎ0(𝑡)ℎ1(𝑡) … . . ℎ(𝑡)]𝑇 ...................... (1.77)

1.10.1. Path Loss

The first obvious difference between wired and wireless channels is the amount of
transmitted power that actually reaches the receiver.
Assuming an isotropic antenna is used as shown in fig 1.18, the propagated signal energy

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

expands over a spherical wavefront, so the energy received at an antenna a distance d

away is inversely proportional to the sphere surface area, (4𝜋𝑑)2.

The free-space path loss formula, or Friis formula, is given

……….. (1.78)

Fig 1.18 Free space propagation.

• However, because a reflected wave often experiences a 180-degree phase shift, at
relatively large distances (usually over a kilometer) the reflection serves to create
destructive interference, and the common 2-ray approximation for path loss is:

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

𝐺𝑡𝐺𝑟ℎ2ℎ𝑟2
𝑃 =𝑃 𝑡 … … … … … … … … … . . (1.79)
𝑥 𝑡
𝑑4
 In order to more accurately describe different propagation models environments,
empirical are often developed using experimental data. One of the simplest and most
common is the empirical path loss formula:

Pr/Pt is the average value of the channel gain; that is, Pr/Pt =𝐸||ℎ||,2 where E[.] denotes the
expected value, or mathematical mean.

Example 1.7
Consider a user in the downlink of a cellular system, where the desired base station is
at a distance of 500 meters (0.5 km), and there are numerous nearby interfering base
stations transmitting at the same power level. If there are three interfering base
stations at a distance of 1 km, three at a distance of 2 km, and ten at a distance of 4
km, use the empirical path loss formula to find the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR,
i.e., the noise is neglected) when α = 3, and then when α = 5.

For α =3 and do in units of kilometers, the desired received power is

𝑃𝑟, = 𝑃𝑡𝑃0𝑑3(0.5)
0
−3 … … … … . (1.81)

and the interference power is

𝑃𝑟, = 𝑃𝑡𝑃0𝑑30[3(1)−3 + 3(2)−3 + 10(4)−3] … … … … … . (1.82)
The SIR expressions compute to

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

𝑝𝑟,𝑑
SIR(𝛼 = 3) = = 2.27(3 · 55 𝑑𝐵)
𝑝𝑟,𝐼
SIR(𝛼 = 5) = 10.32(10.32𝑑𝐵)
demonstrating that the overall system performance can be substantially improved
when the path loss is in fact large.

1.10.2 Shadowing
• Path loss models attempt to account for the distance dependent relationship between
transmitted and received power.
• However, many factors other than distance can have a large effect on the total
received power
• Fig 1.19, obstacles such as trees and buildings may be located between the transmitter
and receiver, and cause temporary degradation in received signal strength, while on
the other hand a temporary line-of-sight transmission path would result inabnormally
high received power.
• The standard method of accounting for these variations in signal strength is to
introduce a random effect called shadowing. With shadowing, the empirical path loss
formula becomes
𝑑 𝛼
• 𝑃𝑟 = 𝑃𝑡𝑃0𝑥 (d0 ) … … … … . . (1.83)

where x is a sample of the shadowing random process. Hence, the received power is now
also modelled as a random process. In effect, the distance-trend in the path loss can be
thought of as the mean (or expected) received power, while the x shadowing values causes a
perturbation from that expected value.

Fig 1.19 Shadowing can cause large deviations from path loss predictions

The shadowing value x is typically modeled as a lognormal random variable, that

𝑥 = 10𝑥⁄10 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑥∼(0, 𝜎2) ..................................

𝑠 (1.84)
where 𝑁(0, 𝜎2) is a Gaussian (normal) distribution with mean 0 and variance 𝜎2. With
𝑠 𝑠
this formulation, the standard deviation 𝜎𝑠 is expressed in dB. figure 1.20 shows the
effect of shadowing, where 𝜎 = 11.8𝑑𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜎 = 8.9𝑑𝐵 respectively.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.20 Shadowing causes large random fluctuations about the path loss model. {courtesyof
IEEE.}
1.11. Broadband wireless channel- Fading

• Path loss and shadowing attenuation effects due to distance or obstacles.

• Fading is severe attenuation phenomenon in wireless channels likely for short distance
caused by the reception of multiple versions of the same signal.
• The multiple received versions are caused by reflections that are referred to as
multipath.
• The reflections may arrive at very close to the same time. for example if there is local
scattering around the receiver or the reflections may arrive at relatively longer
intervals-for example , due to different multipath between the transmitter and receiver.
• A visualization of this is shown in fig 1.21

Fig 1.21 : The channel may have a few major paths with quite different lengths, and then the
receiver may see a number of locally scattered versions of those paths.
• Fading effect: When some of the reflections arrive at nearly the same time, the

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

combined effect of those reflections. can be seen in fig 1.22.

• Depending on the phase difference between the arriving signals, the interference can
be either constructive or destructive, which causes a very large observed difference in
the amplitude of the received signal even over very short distances.

Fig 1.22.: The difference between constructive interference (top) and destructive
interference (bottom) at fc = 2.5GHz is less than 0.1 nanoseconds in phase, which
corresponds to about 3 cm.

• The moving the transmitter or receiver even a very short distance can have a dramatic
effect on the received amplitude, even though the path loss and shadowing effects
may not have changed at all.
• Time-varying tapped-delay line channel model of fading:
• Either the transmitter or receiver move relative to each other, the channel response
h(t) will change.
• This channel response can be thought of as having two dimensions:
– Delay dimension(𝑟)
– Time-dimension(𝑡).

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.23: The delay 𝑟 corresponds to how long the channel impulse response lasts.
The channel is time varying, so the channel impulse response is also a function of time. i.e.,
h(𝑟, t)and can be quite different at time t+△t than it was at time t.
• The channel is time varying, so the channel impulse response is also a function of
time, i.e., h (𝑟, t), and can be quite different at time (𝑡 + ∆𝑡) than it was at time t.
• The fundamental function used to statistically describe broadband fading channels is
the two-dimensional autocorrelation function, A(∆𝑟, ∆𝑡). The autocorrelation function
is defined as
(Δ𝑟, Δ𝑡) = [ℎ(𝑟1, 𝑡1) ℎ*(𝑟2, 𝑡2)]

(Δ𝑟, Δ𝑡) = [ℎ(𝑟1, 𝑡) ℎ*(𝑟2, 𝑡 + ∆𝑡)]

(Δ𝑟, Δ𝑡) = [(ℎ(𝑟, 𝑡) ℎ*(𝑟 + ∆𝑟, 𝑡 + ∆𝑡)] .......................... (1.85)

The impulse response and its delayed samples are shown in figure 1.23.
Table 1.2 Summary of Broadband Fading Parameter

Wireless channel Parameters

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81
 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

• The key parameters to evaluate the wireless channels are

• Delay Spread and Coherence Bandwidth
• Doppler Spread and Coherence Time
• Angular Spread and Coherence Distance

1.11.1. Delay Spread and Coherence Bandwidth

Delay Spread:
The delay spread is mostly used in the characterization of wireless channels.
It is a measure of the multipath richness of a communications channel.

It specifies the duration of the channel impulse response h (𝑟, t).

The delay spread is the amount of time that elapses between the first arriving path (typically
the line of sight component) and the last arriving (non-negligible) path.
The delay spread can be found by inspecting A (∆𝑟, 0) by setting ∆𝑡=0 in the channel
autocorrelation function. It is often referred to as the Multipath Intensity Profile, or power
delay profile.
The maximum delay spread is 𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑥, Characterized wireless channel with number of delay taps
v will be needed in the discrete representation of the channel impulse response, since
𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑥
= … … … … … … … … . (1.86)
𝑇𝑠

Where 𝑇𝑠 is the sampling time

Delay spread can be quantified through different metrics, although the most common one is
the root mean square (rms) delay spread.

The formula above is also known as the root of the second central moment of thenormalized
delay power density spectrum.
The importance of delay spread is how it affects the Inter Symbol Interference (ISI).
𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑠 gives a measure of the "width" or "spread" of the channel response in time.A

general rule of thumb is that 𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑥 ≈ 5𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑠

Coherence Bandwidth ( Bc)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

• It is a statistical measurement of the range of frequencies over which the channel can
be considered "flat"
• The Bc is the frequency domain dual of the channel delay spread (𝑟).
• The coherence bandwidth gives a rough measure for the maximum separation between
a frequency f1 and a frequency f2 where the channel frequency response is correlated.
That is
|ƒ1 − ƒ2| ≤ 𝐵𝐶 ⇒ (ƒ1) = (ƒ2)
… … … . . (1.88)
|ƒ1 − ƒ2| > 𝐵𝐶 ⇒ (ƒ1) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (ƒ2) 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑

1.11.2. Doppler Spread and Coherence Time

• 𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑥 is a value describing the channel duration, Bc is a value describing the range of
frequencies over which the channel stays constant.
• Given the channel delay spread, it can be shown that
1 1
𝐵𝐶 = =𝑟 … … . (1.89)
5𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑥

• The important and prevailing feature is that Bc and 𝑟 are inversely related.

Doppler Spread(BD):
Doppler spread is a measure of the spectral broadening caused by the time rate of change of
the mobile radio channel and is defined as the range of frequencies over which the received
Doppler spectrum is essentially non-zero.
The Doppler power spectrum gives the statistical power distribution of the channel versus
frequency for a signal transmitted at just one exact frequency.
Whereas the power delay profile was caused by multipath between the transmitter and
receiver, the Doppler power spectrum is caused by motion between the transmitter and
receiver.
The Doppler power spectrum is the Fourier transform of (∆𝑡) is given by

∞
(Δƒ) = ∫ (Δ𝑡)−Δƒ.Δ𝑡(𝑑Δ 𝑡) .................................. (1.90)
−∞

When a pure sinusoidal tone of frequency fc is transmitted, the received signal spectrum,
called the Doppler spectrum.
The spectrum components in the range fc – fd to fc + fd, where fd is the Doppler shift.

The amount of spectral broadening depends on fd which is a function of the relative velocity
of the mobile, and the angle θ between the direction of motion of the mobile and direction of
arrival of the scattered waves.
Unlike the power delay profile, the Doppler power spectrum is non-zero strictly for Δƒ ∈
(−ƒ𝐷, ƒ𝐷)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

where ƒ𝐷 is maximum Doppler spread or Doppler spread.

The Doppler spread ƒ𝐷 is given by

𝑣ƒ𝑐 ..............................
ƒ𝐷 = (1.91)
𝑐

Where 𝑣 = maximum speed between the transmitter and receiver,

fc= the carrier frequency, c = the speed of light.
As long as the communication bandwidth B << fc, the Doppler power spectrum can be treated
as approximately constant.

Coherence Time (TC):

Coherence time Tc is used to characterize the time varying nature of the frequency
depressiveness of the channel in the time domain
Coherence time is actually a statistical measure of the time duration over which the channel
impulse response is essentially invariant,
In other words, coherence time is the time duration over which two received signals have a
strong potential for amplitude correlation.
Mathematically
|𝑡1 − 𝑡2| ≤ 𝑇𝐶 ⇒ (𝑡1) = (𝑡2)
… … … … . (1.91)
|𝑡1 − 𝑡2| > 𝑇𝐶 ⇒ (𝑡1) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑡2) 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑
The coherence time and Doppler spread are also inversely related
1
𝑇𝐶 = … … … … … … … … … … (1.92)
ƒ𝐷
Values for the Doppler spread and the associated channel coherence time for LTE at
Pedestrian, Vehicular, and Maximum Speeds are given in Table below for two possible LTE
frequency bands
Table : Doppler Spreads and Approximate Coherence Times for LTE at Pedestrian Vehicular
and Maximum Speeds

Table 1.3 Doppler’s spreads and approximate coherence times for LTE at Pedestrian,
vehicular and maximum speeds.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.11.3. Angular spread and Coherence Distance

Angular Spread (𝜃𝒓𝒎𝒔):

It refers to the statistical distribution of the angle of the arriving energy.

A large 𝜃 implies that channel energy is coming in from many directions, whereas a small
𝜃𝑟𝑚𝑠 implies that the received channel energy is more focused.

A large angular spread generally occurs when there is a lot of local scattering, and this results
in more statistical diversity in the channel.

Coherence Distance (DC):

The coherence distance is the spatial distance over which the channel does not change
appreciably. The dual of angular spread is coherence distance.
As the angular spread increases, the coherence distance decreases, and vice versa.
An approximate rule of thumb between angular spread and coherence distance is
0.2𝜆
𝐷𝐶 ≈ … … … … … … … … … … . . (1.93)
𝜃𝑟𝑚𝑠

For the case of Rayleigh fading, which assumes a uniform angular spread, the well-known
relation is
9𝜆
𝐷𝐶 ≈ … … … … … … … … … . . (1.94)
16𝜋

Angular spread and coherence distance are particularly important in multiple antenna
(MIMO) systems.
The coherence distance gives a rule of thumb for how far antennas should be spaced apart, in
order to be statistically independent.
If the coherence distance is very small, antenna arrays can be effectively employed to provide
rich diversity.

Ideally, modeling a channel is calculating all the physical processing effecting a signal from
the transmitter to the receiver.
The two major classes of models are

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Statistical models: These models are simpler, and are useful for analysis and simulations.
Empirical models: These are more complicated but usually represent a specific type of
channel more accurately

These models are used to characterize the amplitude and power of a received signal r(t) when
all the reflections arrive at about the same time.
This is only true when symbol time is much greater than the delay spread, i.e., T >>𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑥 so
these models are often said to be valid for “arrowband fading channels”.
Some of the popular statistical models are:
– Rayleigh Fading
– Ricean Distribution
– Nakagami-m fading
– Rayleigh Fading
Rayleigh fading is a reasonable model when there are many objects in the environment that
scatter the radio signal before it arrives at the receiver.
The central limit theorem holds that, if there is sufficiently much scatter, the channel Impulse
Response will be well-modelled as a Gaussian Process irrespective of the distribution of the
individual components.
The envelope of the channel response will therefore be Rayleigh distributed.

Consider a snapshot value of received signal r(t) at time t = 0, and r(0) = 𝑟Q(0)+ 𝑟𝐼(0)

– Where 𝑟𝐼(0)is in-phase component and

– 𝑟Q(0) is quadrature components of Gaussian random variables.

The distribution of the envelope amplitude |𝑟| = √𝛾2 + 𝛾2 is Rayleigh, and the received
𝐼 Q
power |𝑟|2 = 𝑟2 + 𝑟2 is exponentially distributed
1 .

The path loss and shadowing determine the mean received power and the total received
power fluctuates around this mean due to the fading.
The total received power fluctuates around this mean due to fading. It is shown in fig 1.24.

The Gaussian random variables 𝑟Q 𝑟𝐼 each have zero mean and varience 𝜎2=𝑃𝑟/2

The phase of r(t) uniformly distributed from 0 to 2π is defined as

𝑟Q
𝜃𝑟 = tan−1 rI … … … … … … (1.95)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.24: The three major channel attenuation factors are shown in terms of their relative
spatial (and hence temporal) scales.

The Line of Sight channels - Ricean Distribution

An important assumption in the Rayleigh fading model is that all the arriving reflections have
a mean of zero.
In Ricean fading a strong dominant component is present for example, a line-of-sight (LOS)
path between the transmitter and receiver.
For a LOS signal, the received envelope distribution is more accurately modelled by a Ricean
distribution, which is given by
𝑥 2+𝜇2)/2𝜎2
𝑥𝜇
ƒ|𝑟|(𝑥) = 𝑒−(𝑥 𝐼0 ( ), 𝑥 ≥ 0 … … … … . (1.96)
𝜎2 𝜎2
Where 𝜇2the power of the LOS component and I0 is the 0th order

Ricean distribution reduces to the Rayleigh distribution in the absence of a LOS component.

Since the Ricean distribution depends on the LOS component's power 𝜇2, a common way to
characterize the channel is by the relative strengths of the LOS and scattered paths.
𝑥𝜇
here 𝜇 = 0 => 𝐼0 ( 2) = 1
𝜎

This factor K is quantified as

𝜇2
𝑘= ………………(1.97)
2𝜎2

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

 The above equation describes how strong the LOS component is relative to the non-
LOS (NLOS) components.
 For K = 0, again the Ricean distribution reduces to Rayleigh, and as K=∞, the
physical meaning is that there is only a single LOS path and no other scattering.
 The average received power under Ricean fading is just the combination of the
scattering power and the LOS power.
 The Ricean distribution is usually a more accurate depiction of wireless broadband
systems, which typically have one or more dominant components.
Nakagami-m fading
• It is a general model for wireless channel. The probability density function (PDF) of
Nakagami fading is parameterized by m and given as
• The Nakagami distribution can in many cases be used in tractable analysis of fading
channel performance. The power distribution for Nakagami fading is

here 𝑚 = (𝑘 + 1)2/(2𝑘 + 1)
• The Nakagami distribution can in many cases be used in tractable analysis of fading
channel performance. Comparison of the most popular fading distributions with
probability distributions f|r|(x) forRayleigh, Ricean w/K = 1, and Nakagami with m =2. All
have average received power Pr =1.

The comparison of most popular fading distributions are shown in fig 1.25.

Fig 1.25 Probability distributions f (x) for Rayleigh, Ricean w/K = 1, and Nakagami with
m=2. All have average received power 𝑃𝑟 = 1.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

1.12. Cellular Systems

Explain the cellular concept briefly. Discuss how interference can be reduced in
cellular communication.

The Cellular Concept

• AT&T proposed a core idea of cellular system in 1971.
• In cellular systems, the service area is subdivided into smaller geographic areas called
cells. Each cell served by their own lower-power Base Station (BS).
• Neighboring cells do not use same set of frequencies to prevent interference.
• In order to minimize interference between cells, the transmit power level of each base
station is regulated to be just enough to provide the required signal strength at the cell
boundaries.
• In cellular systems, the service area is subdivided into smaller geographic areas called
cells that are each served by their own base station.
• In order to minimize interference between cells, the transmit power level of each base
station is regulated to be just enough to provide the required signal strength at the cell
boundaries. Then, also we have seen, propagation path loss allows for spatial isolation
of different cells operating of the same frequency channels at the same time.
• Therefore, the sine frequency channels can be reassigned to different cells, long as those
cells are spatially isolated.
• The reuse of the site frequency channels should be intelligently planned in order to
maximize the geographic distance between the co-channel base stations.
• Fig 1.26 shows an example of hexagonal cellular system model with frequency reuse
factor j=1/7, where cells labelled with the same letter use the same frequency channels.
• In this model, one cluster is outlined in bold and consists of seven cells with different
frequency channels.

Core cellular Principles: Small cells tessellate overall coverage area. User’s “handoff” as
they move from one cell to another.
The same frequency channels can be reassigned to different cells, as long as those cells are
spatially isolated called “frequency reuse” concept. It increases the cellular system
capacity.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.26 : Standard figure of a hexagonal cellular system with f=1/7

Frequency planning
• It is required to determine a proper frequency reuse factor and a geographic reuse
pattern.
• Frequencies can be reused should be determined such that the interference between
base stations is kept to an acceptable level.
• The frequency reuse factor f is defined as f ≤ 1, where f = 1 means that all cells reuse
all the frequencies.
• Accordingly, f = 1/3 implies that a given frequency band is used by only 1 out of
every 3 cells.
Co-cells and cluster
• Co-cells are cells in cellular system which uses the same frequency channel set.
• The reuse of the same frequency channels should be intelligently planned in order to
maximize the geographic distance between the co-channel base stations.
• The group of cells which are using entire frequency channels set are called “clusters”.
1.13.2. Analysis of Cellular Systems :
The performance of wireless cellular systems is significantly limited by co-channel
interference (CCI), which comes from other users in the slime cell or from other cells.
In cellular systems, other cell interference (OCI) is a decreasing function of
the radius of the cell (R) and the distance to the canter of the neighbouring co-channel cell
and an increasing function of transmit power. However, what determines performance
(capacity, reliability) is the SIR, i.e, the amount of desired power to the amount of transmitted
power.Therefore, if all users (or base stations) increased or decreased their power at once,
the SIR and hence the performance is typically unchanged which is known as interference-
limited system.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

The spatial isolation between co-channel cells can be measured by defining the parameter Z,
called co-channel reuse ratio, is the ratio of the distance to the centre of the nearest co-
channel cell (D) to the radius of the cell. In a hexagonal cell structure, the cochannel reuse
ratio is given by

where 1/f is the size of a cluster and the inverse of the frequency reuse factor. Since the
background noise power is negligible compared to the interference power in interference
limited environment, the received signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) can be used instead of
SINR. If the number of interfering cells is 𝑁𝐼, the SIR for mobile station can be given by

𝑠 𝑠
= 𝑁𝐼
𝐼 ∑i=1 𝐼i

Where S is the received power of the desired signal and 𝐼iis the interferecnce power from the
ith co-channel base station.
The received SIR for the worst case given in fig 1.27 is expressed as
𝑠 𝑥0
=
𝐼 𝑥0 + ∑i=1 𝑥i + 2 ∑i=3 𝑥i + (2 · 633)−𝛼 ∑i=6
2 −𝛼 5 11 𝑥i

Where 𝑥i denotes the shadowing from the ith base station.

If the mean and standard deviation of the lognormal distribution are 𝜇 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜎 in dB, the
outage probability is derived in the form of Q function.
𝑃0𝑢𝑡 = [𝑆𝐼𝑅 < 𝛾] = 𝑄 (𝛾−𝜇)
𝜎

Where 𝛾is the threshold SIR level in dB.

Fig 1.27: Forward link interference in a hexagonal cellular system (worse case)

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

Fig 1.28 The received SIR in a cell with path-loss exponent 𝛼= 3.5. The scale on the right
indicates the SIR bins, i.e., darker indicates lower SIR.

1.13.3. Sectoring
 Since the SIR is so bad in most of the cell, it is desirable to find techniques to improve
it without sacrificing so much bandwidth, as frequency reuse does.
 A popular technique is to sectorize the cells, which is effective if frequencies are
reused in each cell. By using directional antennas instead of Omni-directional
antennas at the base station, the co-channel interference can be significantly reduced.
 Referring again to Fig 1.29, if each sector 1 points the same direction in each cell,
then the Interference caused by neighboring cells will be dramatically reduced.

Fig 1.29: 3-sector (120-degree) and sector (60-degree) cells.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81

 RV Institute of Technology & Management®

 An alternative way to Use sectors that is not shown in Fig 1.29 is to reuse frequencies
in each sector. In this case, all of the time/code/frequency slots can be reused in each
sector, but there is no reduction in the experienced interference.
.
Fig 1.30 shows the regions of a 3-sector cell in various SIR bins of the systems with universal
frequency reuse and 1/3 frequency reuse. All the configurations are the same as Dhose of
Figure 1.28 except sectoring is added. Compared to Figure 1.28, sectoring improves SIR
especially at the cell boundaries even when universal frequency reuse is adopted.

Fig 1.30.The received SIR in a sectorized cell (three sectors). The path-loss exponent 𝛼 =3.5

If sectoring is adopted with frequency reuse, the received SIR can be significantly improved
as shown in Fig 1.30b where both f = 1/3 frequency reuse and 120-degree sectoring
are used.

Wireless and Cellular communication 18EC81