Propagation Characteristics of Wireless Channels
Propagation Characteristics of Wireless Channels
wireless channels
Lecture 2
Introduction
Attenuation is a major limitation on
performance of mobile systems
If path is line of sight then signal loss may
not be severe
In urban surroundings the path may be
indirect and signal would reach final
destination after reflection, diffraction,
refraction and scattering
LOS Wireless Transmission
Impairments
Attenuation and attenuation distortion
Free space loss
Noise
Atmospheric absorption
Multipath
Refraction
Other Impairments
Atmospheric absorption water vapor and
oxygen contribute to attenuation
Multipath obstacles reflect signals so that
multiple copies with varying delays are
received
Refraction bending of radio waves as they
propagate through the atmosphere
Line of sight propagation
Introduction
Most mobile transmissions are
characterize by these non-LOS
conditions
Reflection
Diffraction
Refraction
Scattering
A direct (line of sight) between two antennae.
Reflection of the electromagnetic wave at a boundary.
Diffraction of the electromagnetic wave at the edge of
a building.
Scattering of the electromagnetic wave.
Most mobile communication systems
are characterized by these N-LOS
conditions:
Reflection
Diffraction
Scattering
Free space propagation models are not
suited to calculate the attenuation
Multipath Propagation
Reflection - occurs when signal encounters a
surface that is large relative to the wavelength of
the signal
Diffraction - occurs at the edge of an impenetrable
body that is large compared to wavelength of radio
wave
Scattering occurs when incoming signal hits an
object whose size in the order of the wavelength
of the signal or less
Power loss showing
the three major
effects: attenuation,
long-term fading, and
short-term fading.
Attenuation
Strength of signal falls off with distance over
transmission medium
Attenuation factors for unguided media:
Received signal must have sufficient strength so that
circuitry in the receiver can interpret the signal
Signal must maintain a level sufficiently higher than
noise to be received without error
Attenuation is greater at higher frequencies, causing
distortion
Free-space propagation geometry.
For direct path
2
P d
r
so that power received at a distance d
( )
( ) L d
G G P
d
t r t
r
2
2
2
4t
= P
Free space loss is given as
dB
d
L
free
|
.
|
\
|
=
t
4
log 20
10
This can be rewritten as
( ) ( ) d f L
free 10 10
log 20 log 20 44 . 32 + + =
This is an ideal case. The attenuation is much faster
than predicted by inverse square law.
v
r
d
P
Given that the power at a reference point is
( ) ( )
2
|
.
|
\
|
P = P
d
d
d d
ref
ref r r
If we combine this with the previous equation we obtain
( ) ( ) | | |
.
|
\
|
+ P = P
d
d
v d dBm d
ref
ref r r 10 10
log log 10
ref
d
this is the reference distance (100m)
Received power for different values of loss parameter
v(v=2 corresponds to free space). Increased loss is
seen as v goes up.
The signal reaches the receiver through reflection and
diffraction.
The signal reaches the receiver through reflection and
scattering, as well as via a direct path.
The most general case of signal reception, consisting of
a direct path, a reflected path, a scattered path, and a
diffracted path.
A number of models have been proposed to predict the
median loss. These models take into account the different
ways in which the signal can reach the receiver
Okumura Model : It is possible to calculate the
free space loss between any two points BS 200m MU 3m.
Correction factors are then added.
Loss Prediction Models
Hata Model:
Empirically derived correction factors are incorporated
into the model and a formula obtained. The loss is
given in terms of effective heights. The starting point
is an urban area.
The BS antennae is mounted on tall buildings. The
effective height is then estimated at 3 - 15 km from
the base of the antennae.
The effective height of the BS antenna.
The median path loss in urban areas for the Hata Model is
( ) ( )
( )
mu b
b o p
h a h
d h f dB L
+ + =
10
10 10 10
log 82 . 13
log log 55 . 6 9 . 44 log 16 . 26 55 . 69 ) (
Correction Factors are as follows
Large cities
( ) ( ) | | ( ) MHz 400 97 . 4 75 . 11 log 2 . 3
2
10
> =
o mu mu
f h h a
Small and Medium Cities
( ) ( ) | | ( ) | | 8 . 0 log 56 . 1 7 . 0 log 1 . 1
10 10
=
o mu o mu
f h f h a
Median Loss in Suburban areas
( ) ( ) | | 4 . 5 28 / log 2
2
10
=
o p sub
f L dB L
where Lp is the loss in small to medium cities
Median loss in Rural areas
( ) ( ) | | ( ) 40.94 - log 4 . 5 33 . 18 log 78 . 4
10
2
10 o o p sub
f f L dB L + =
Loss calculations
based on the
Hata model for
four different
environments.
Carrier frequency
= 900 MHz, base
station antenna
height = 150 m,
MU antenna
height = 1.5m.
The multipath concept.
(a) A transmitted pulse. (b) The multiple pulses produced
due to the multipath arriving at different times and with
different powers, leading to a broadened envelope of the
pulse.
The Effects of Multipath
Propagation
Multiple copies of a signal may arrive at
different phases
If phases add destructively, the signal level
relative to noise declines, making detection
more difficult
Intersymbol interference (ISI)
One or more delayed copies of a pulse may
arrive at the same time as the primary pulse for
a subsequent bit
Decibels and Signal Strength
Signal Strength is an important parameter in any
transmission system
Signal attenuation is compensated for by use of
amplifiers
Losses and gains are expressed in terms of decibel
The decibel is a logarithmic ratio
Attenuation itself occurs logarithmically
This allows for easy addition and subtraction
in
out
dB
P
P
G
10
log 10 = The Decibel is given by
It is a measure of relative and not absolute difference
A measure of absolute difference can be obtained
through the use of dBW. It is defined as
W 1
log 10 Power
W
10
P
dBW
=
A power level of 1W is used as the reference
Another common unit is the dBm. In this case the
reference power level is 1mW.
mW 1
log 10 Power
mW
10
P
dBm
=
Example
Given a system with 4mW input power, calculate the
output power if the signal is transmitted over an
element with 12 dB loss, an amplifier with 35 dB gain
and another element with 10 dB loss