Free-space path loss

In telecommunication, free-space path loss (FSPL) is the loss in signal

strength of an electromagnetic wave that would result from a line-of-sight path
through free space (usually air), with no obstacles nearby to cause reflection or
diffraction.
Free-space path loss formula
Free-space path loss is proportional to the square of the distance between the
transmitter and receiver, and also proportional to the square of the frequency of
the radio signal.
The equation for FSPL is

where:
is the signal wavelength (in metres),
is the signal frequency (in hertz),
is the distance from the transmitter (in metres),
is the speed of light in a vacuum, 2.99792458 108 metres per second.
This equation is only accurate in the far field where spherical spreading can be
assumed; it does not hold close to the transmitter.

PL(dB)= 10log(Pt/Pr)

Practical Link Budget Design using Path-loss Model

We can use classical propagation models for predicting large scale coverage
for mobile communication system design.
1. Log distance Path loss Model
Both theoretical and measurement based propagation models
indicates that average received signal power decreases
logarithmically with distance, whether in outdoor, indoor radio
channels. The average large-scale path loss for T-R separation is
expressed as a function of distance by using a path loss exponent,n.

2. Log-normal Shadowing

Shadowing
Shadowing is the effect that the received signal power fluctuates due
to objects obstructing the propagation path between transmitter and
receiver. These fluctuations are experienced on local-mean powers,
that is, short-term averages to remove fluctuations due to multipath
fading.

Experiments reported by Egli in 1957 showed that, for paths longer

than a few hundred meters, the received (local-mean) power fluctuates
with a 'log-normal' distribution about the area-mean power. By 'lognormal' is meant that the local-mean power expressed in logarithmic
values, such as dB or neper, has a normal (i.e., Gaussian) distribution.

3. Determination of Percentage of Coverage Area