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Pathloss Propagation and Prediction at 900Mhz in Rural Areas of Ekiti State
Pathloss Propagation and Prediction at 900Mhz in Rural Areas of Ekiti State
Abstract,
1.0 Introduction
Cellular system design has become more challenging in recent years as the
wireless industry experience a phenomenal growth, both in terms of mobile
technology and subscribers. This enormous growth raises the need for a reliable
network planning tools to speed the process from network design to
implementation [1]. GSM network in Nigeria is currently faced with the challenge
of customers dissatisfaction in the quality of service offered by the existing
network operators due to frequent dropped calls, poor network interconnectivity,
echoes and network congestion encountered [2]. This is largely as a result of
poor coverage and capacity planning before initial deployment. Received signal
strength prediction models play an important role in the Radio coverage planning
and optimization as well as in efficient use of the available resources in wireless
communication [3]. An understanding of the radio propagation characteristics of
an environment is a necessary condition for effective radio network planning.
Path loss models such as Hata Model, Ericsson Model, Cost 231 Hata Model, ECC
233 Model etc. are chosen for comparison with measurement data. The best
existing path loss model with the closest propagation exponent, to the measured
path loss data will be chosen as a reference for the development of the path loss
model. path loss model will be tested during the validation process by comparing
the calculated path loss to the measured path loss in rural areas of Ekiti State.
Five existing path loss models are chosen as reference in the development of
the optimized path loss model. These existing path loss models are Okumura
Hatas Model, Ericsson model, free space model, Cost 231 Hata model and ECC
233 Model. These path loss models were developed empirically in the system
with similar antenna heights and frequency ranges which are applicable to
900MHz network in Ekiti State.
d = distance in kilometers
Where:
Where:
Fc 200MHz
Fc 400MHz
This model is widely used for predicting path loss in mobile wireless system [24].
The COST-231 Hata model is designed to be used in the frequency band from
500 MHz to 2000 MHz. It also contains corrections for urban, suburban and rural
(open) environments. Although its frequency range is outside that of the
measurements, its simplicity and the availability of correction factors has seen it
widely used for path loss prediction at this frequency band.
Where,
f = frequency in MHz,
Where:
Fc 200MHz
Fc 400MHz
To evaluate the applicability of the COST-231 model for the 2375 MHz band, the
model predictions are compared against measurements for suburban
environment.
The ECC 233 model formation is based on original measurement from Okumura
model. The model is most widely used in large and medium size cities, areas
having concluded and tall buildings. The operation range of this model is up to
3000MHz and the distance ranges from 1km to 100km. the model is expressed
as [27]
d = distance in kilometers
Path loss in free space (PLFSPL) defines how much strength of the signal is lost
during propagation from transmitter to receiver. FSPL model is diverse on
frequency and distance. The calculation is done by using the following equation
[28]:
Where,
F = frequency in MHz
The free space path loss calculations only look at the loss of the path itself and
do not contain any factors relating to the transmitter power, and antenna gains
or the receiver sensitivity levels. These factors are normally addresses when
calculating a link budget and these will also be used within radio and wireless
survey tools and software.
d = distance in meters
Table 3.1: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for IKORO EKITI,
IJERO LGA with Antenna Height (Hb) = 32m at a frequency of 900MHz
Table 3.20: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for IWOROKO
EKITI, IREPODUN/IFELODUN LGA with Antenna Height (H b) = 36m at a frequency of
900MHz
Table 3.21: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for OKE
AYEDUN EKITI, IKOLE LGA with Antenna Height (Hb) = 36m at a frequency of 900MHz
Distance Measured Free Space Hata Model Cost 231 ECC Model Ericsson
(km) Pathloss, Lp Model (dB) Model (dB) model (dB)
(dB) (dB) (dB)
0.1 63.3 71.52 76.99 100.0 211.44 193.15
0.2 67.7 77.54 83.89 114.3 221.69 214.09
0.3 71.0 81.07 89.76 124.49 230.69 226.45
0.4 78.0 83.57 95.37 133.16 238.34 235.3
0.5 83.3 85.5 100.69 140.86 246.71 242.3
0.6 84.9 87.09 106.86 148.96 257.59 248.2
0.7 86.3 88.43 111.11 154.86 266.71 253.16
0.8 90.1 89.59 114.76 159.93 276.0 257.5
0.9 89.8 90.6 119.1 165.53 290.0 261.6
1.0 94.6 91.5 123.14 170.69 309.18 265.4
Table 3.22: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for IGOGO
EKITI, MOBA LGA with Antenna Height (Hb) = 31m at a frequency of 900MHz
Table 3.23: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for ILUDUN
EKITI, ILEJEMEJE LGA with Antenna Height (Hb) = 34m at a frequency of 900MHz
350
300
250
Measured pathloss(dB)
200
Hata model(dB)
Pathloss(dB) 150 Cost 231(dB)
100 ECC 233 model(dB)
Free space model(dB)
50 Ericsson model(dB)
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Distance(km)
Figure3.0 Comparative path loss model in IKORO EKITI, Ijero Local Goverrnment at2G
300
250
200
Measured pathloss(dB)
150 Hata model(dB)
Pathloss(dB)
Cost 231(dB)
100 ECC 233 model(dB)
Free space model(dB)
50 Ericsson model(dB)
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Distance(km)
350
300
250
Measured Pathloss, Lp (dB)
200
Free Space Model (dB)
Pathloss(dB) 150 Hata Model (dB)
Cost 231 Model (dB)
100
ECC Model (dB)
50 Ericsson model (dB)
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Distance(km)
Figure 3.2 Comparative path loss model for OKE AYEDUN in Ikole Local
Government at 2G
350
300
250
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Distance(km)
Figure 3.3 Comparative path loss model in IGOGO, Otun Local Government at
2G
350
300
250
Measured pathloss(dB)
200
Hata model(dB)
Pathloss(dB) 150 Cost 231(dB)
100 ECC 233 model(dB)
Free space model(dB)
50
Ericsson model(dB)
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Distance(km)
Figures 3.0 to 3.4 are plots that show the comparison of the measured path loss
with other predicted models. In figure 3.0, hata model has low path loss as
compared to others at the base station but increases with increase in distance,
while measured path loss and free space has a constant loss between 50dB and
120dB, the same thing in figure 3.1 but ECC 233 predicted more loss at 0.2 km
and Ericsson at 0.9kmaway from the base station. Hata model has low path loss
compared to others in figure 3.2 while measured and free space has a constant
loss between 50dB and 110dB. Measured and free space has constant losses
between 50dB and 105dB in figure3.3 while Ericsson predicted more losses at
0.8km away from the base station but hata model still has the lowest path loss.
At 0.6km away, measured and free space model has constant losses between
50dB and 120dB in figure 3.4 but Hata model has a low path loss as compared to
others.
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this paper, the received signal strength and path loss of a mobile
communication system was measured in some rural areas of Ekiti State.It has
been proven practically, through this research, that the Hata model is very
accurate in its prediction of the path-loss in most rural areas of Ekiti State. This
research also showed that the free-space model is very inaccurate in its
prediction of the path-loss experienced in rural areas of Ekiti state. It is to be
noted that despite the accuracy of this model in predicting the path loss in this
environment, the results obtained in this research is subject to changes due to
the ever changing nature of our environment. These changes can be natural or
manmade, permanent or temporary, instant or gradual. The Hata model has
proven to be very reliable and accurate in its prediction of path loss encountered
and it is recommended as a suitable replacement to taking exact measurements
if the cost in time, money and effort is too great to bear. The weakness of the
Hata model however is that it does not consider reflections and shadowing [36].