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Key words : in-train, penetration loss, propagation___________________________________________________

In-Train Penetration Loss and Design Recommendations for UMTS


Network Deployment

Dr. Hatem MOKHTARI, December 2002

Author : Dr. Hatem MOKHTARI____________________________________________________ 1/5


Key words : in-train, penetration loss, propagation___________________________________________________

1. Scope of work

This document aims at providing a clear insight into in-train penetration loss to be
used for design purposes. It also encompasses case studies performed within live
Network Operators, along with a brief theoretical description of the propagation
issues related to the upper UHF frequency band. More importantly, this document
will be used as a reliable reference for RANN/Ben/Dutchtone UMTS Network
deployment so that all the parties will use the same RF parameters, and
comprehend the theoretical and practical reasons behind the adopted choice. This
should avoid further misunderstanding and consolidates the effective collaboration
between the parties.

2. Introduction

Needless to say if the in-train penetration is important in a Cellular network


Indeed, as the service is based on mobility and the subscribers are theoretically
supposed to be anywhere, it is of great importance to consider the in-train
penetration issues. Several studies have been conducted so far in the
GSM900/GSM1800 bands but a few of them only in the UMTS band (around 2
GHz). In a microcellular environment, such as in street canyons and indoors the
RF signal behaves similarly in both UMTS and GSM1800 bands. This is due to
the fact that the higher the frequency the better is the propagation. We can easily
explain this phenomenon by the fact the scattering characteristics of microwave
signals tend to an asmptotic behavior. Reflection coefficient of semi-conductive
materials tend to the unit, which explains the guided-wave behaviour in confined
media (Tunnels, street canyons, airport terminals, etc.). However, the only
characteristic that should make the difference between the two systems is the
bandwidth when modulation is considered, but when pure RF carriers are
transmitted GSM1800 and UMTS have the same characteristics.

This document provides the propagation assumptions made to cope with the wider
range of cases that might be encountered in a live UMTS network. Namely,
grazing incidence (near 0 degree) and perpendicular incidence (near 90 degrees)
will be explained and statistical results, performed on a real live network, will be
presented.

3. Problem Statement

Figure 1 depicts the basic assumptions made for the sake of in-train penetration
study :

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Key words : in-train, penetration loss, propagation___________________________________________________

Train
windows

Transmitting Node B
Antenna (assumed as a Grazing incidence
Huyghens source) line (dashed line)

Incidence angle is a random variable wich is uniformly distributed


between 0 and 180 degrees

When the trains moves within a cell coverage area the propagation is proved to be
in grazing incidence, except for a few range of random angles. Therefore, the
penetration loss is maximum. In a tunnel, however, in case where leaky-feeders
are deployed, the propagation is under 90 degrees, which gives better in-train
coverage. Let us now take account of the the angular spread combined to the loss
through windows.

In many cases, and especially in modern fast-speed trains, the glass is mixed with
a semi-metallic material. This obviously leads to a more reflected energy and
therefore less transmitted energy within the train wagon, which is not the desired
situation for in-train coverage.

Low in-train
loss Zone

High in-train loss


zone (very low High in-train loss
incidence angles) zone (very low
incidence angles)

For our design purposes worst-case senarios are considered. In other words, the
penetration loss values are taken from grazing incidence and not from
perpendicular incidence because the latter leads to under-dimensioning the
number of sites required.

4. Results

4.1. Studies in France

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Key words : in-train, penetration loss, propagation___________________________________________________

INRETS, a French institution made some measurement campaigns in-train for the
French fast speed train (TGV) and found out that :

Penetration Loss between 25 and 30 dB for grazing low-angle incidence, and


between 2 to 5 dB only at 90 degrees incidence for DCS1800 frequency band. The
result is found to be very similar to UMTS as the frequency bands are quite close
to each other.

4.2. Studies in Spain

Telefonica Moviles found similar results as for UMTS a penetration loss of 30 dB


using antennas in tunnels. However, they recommend the use of leaky-feeders as
the loss was found to be 15 dB. The leaky feeder was recommended because the
propagation is perpendicular to the axis of the train, which therefore implies much
less penetration loss as confirmed in the Frech case. Furthermore, the Doppler
effect is non-existant in case of leaky-feeder solution. The drawback is, obviously,
the cost of such a solution. Also, we can see from the table below that there is no
correlation between the penetration loss and the bit rate, which is an important
point to mention as it will ease our design by avoiding too much parameters for
each service (speech or data).

4.3. COST231 assessment of in-train losses

COST231 mentioned that the in-train penetration losses are similar to those found
by the Spanish and the French studies. Values between 25 and 30 dB for grazing
incidence are found. However, the COST231 study (made in TGV Nord Paris-
Lille) mentioned a very interesting issue regarding synchronisation in GSM. The
figure below shows how synchronisation problems arise (i.e. no neighbours can be

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Key words : in-train, penetration loss, propagation___________________________________________________

reported) when the train speed exceeds 200 km/h. In UMTS we do not have
similar studies but this problem might occur and we need to mention it.

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

According to the abovementioned studies, UMTS radio related characteristics are


very similar to DCS1800 ones except bandwidth. Therefore, we recommend to
use 25 dB in-train penetration loss to be added in our linkbudget calculations for
high-speed trains with semi-metallic windows, and 15 dB for classical trains..

We also need to avoid the use of 5 dB loss because this value has been used for
tunnels where leaky-feeders were installed. In fact, leaky-feeders have the best
propagation characteristics in a confined environment as the field strength, from
one hand is uniformly distributed and from the other hand has an incidence angle
of 90 degrees, which is unlikely to happen outdoors from outdoor cells using
antennas instead.

6. Technical References

[1] U. Dersh, J. Troger, E. Zollinger, “ Multiple Reflections of Radio Waves ina a


Corridor”, IEEE Trans. On Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 42, no. 11, Nov. 1994.

[2] J.-F. Sante, “Measurements and Modelling in Rural Areas”, COST231 TD(93)
121, Limerick, Ireland, September 1993.

[3] F. Ikegami, S. Yoshida, M. Umehira, “Propagation Factors Controlling Field


Strenght on rban Streets”, IEEE Trans. On Antennas and Propagation, Vol.32, No. 8,
August 1984, pp. 822-829.

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Key words : in-train, penetration loss, propagation___________________________________________________

[4] COST231, “Urban Transmission Loss Models for Mobile Radio in the 900 and
1800 MHz Bands (Revision 2)”, COST231 TD(900 119 Rev. 2, The Hague, The
Netherlands, September 1991.

[5] R. M. Ruis Tares, F. J. Munos, R. H. Diez, J. M. H. Rabanos, “Design of Mobile


Cellular Coverage inTunnel Environments”, Telefonica Moviles Espana Report.

Author : Dr. Hatem MOKHTARI____________________________________________________ 6/5

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