Empirical Approach of Ad hoc Path Loss Propagation

Model in Realistic Forest Environments

Galang P. N. Hakim, Mudrik Alaydrus Rizal Broer Bahaweres
Electrical Engineering Department, Informatics Department, Faculty of Science & Technology
Universitas Mercu Buana, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah
Jakarta, Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia
Email : macross.galang.pes@gmail.com, rizalbroer@ieee.org
mudrikalaydrus@mercubuana.ac.id

Abstract--An Internet of Things (IoT) application that the closes one is by Green-Obaidat [1] and another one is
employs wireless transmission data such as Wireless Sensor Node Peng, He, and Choi [2]. Table 1 shows matrix related research.
need to be designed well enough, So its data doesn’t loss in its
transmission between the node. Therefore to build an IoT TABLE I. MATRIX OF RELATED RESEARCH
application such as Wireless Sensor Node path loss propagation
Antenna
model is a must. In this paper, we proposed a new path loss Freq/ Measurement
Publication Height Application
model to be used on a near ground 2.4 GHz Wireless Sensor Node MHz Device
(Meter)
network in forest environment application. Our methods are
using one of IoT node such as Microcontroller Wemos to do walk 100- 30-200 Mobile Cellular
Hata [5] -
test and then capture statistical data the RSSI level every 5 1500 & 1-10 Communication
meters and compare it to the simulation. Our new proposed
model has a better result for forest environment at about 2.01 dB Meng et al 240 – Forest/Plantation Spectrum
5-30
[6,7] 700 Communication Analyzer
forest with High grass more than 30cm, 0.69 dB low grasses less
than 10cm, and 0.26 dB without grass compare with other model
and compare to the measurement at 65 meters. Communication
Olufemi et al TV Meter
700 - in Forest
[8] Strength
Keywords--Near Ground Path loss Propagation Model; 2.4GHZ Environment
ISM Band; Microcontroller Wemos; Forest wireless
Computer
communication; WSN. Green and
2400 1-2 Communication
Cisco Aironet
Obaidat [1] 340 LAN
Ad hoc Network

I. INTRODUCTION IOT WSN for IoT Node

Peng et al [2] 2400 -
Smart house Zigbee
Wireless data communication is one of the most advanced
technologies and its application widely use such as military IoT WSN Forest IoT Node
Hakim et al
2400 0.3 Realistic Microcontroll
and commercial application. Furthermore at modern day, it’s (this work)
environment er Wemos
has been know that the simple and easy ways to transfer data
between two or more device is using wireless IP protocols
communication such as WLAN 802.11. Because of that a lot
But unfortunately Green-Obaidat model only works when
of application has been developed using IP protocol to smooth
antenna height is clear from the Fresnel zone, Therefore ≥ 1
data transfer or communication between nodes. But the
meter antenna height is needed. This model’s develop not for
problem arises because at cities environment its
low antenna height ≤ 30 cm and in none blocking environment.
communication will be using WLAN infrastructure that exits
Also for Peng, He, and Choi their research is in greenhouse has
trough out the cities, but at forest and mountain application it
different characteristic environment with the forest. Therefore,
will costly to build WLAN infrastructure for just one single
another research is needed to verify both of their models.
application.
A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) ad-hoc network
wireless data communication is proposed to solve this
problem. Using ad hoc network, the node that also functions as
a sensor will allow communication between nodes. From the
farthest node to the closest node, the data will be transfer from
node to node until it reaches the database center. Therefore to
build an optimum ad hoc network, Path loss propagation
model characteristic between nodes needs to be studied.
Several researches have been made for this particular topic but
 II. EXISTING PATHLOSS MODELS
There are a lot of pathloss propagation model, each has its
own merits on their perspective application. In this paper, we
studied pathloss propagation model using the first model
which is The Free Space Pathloss Model, The greenhouse
model by Peng, He, and Choi [2], And the accurate pathloss
for 2.4 GHz ad-hoc network that proposed by Green-Obaidat
[1].
A. Free Space Pathloss Model
Based on Friis transmission equation, the line of sight
model path loss can be derived [3]. Without considering the
antenna performance (let G t = G r = 1), the path loss can be
written as follows:
20 log10 𝑑 + 20 log10 𝑓 − 147.55 (1)
f = frequency in Hertz (Hz)
d = overall distance in meter (m)
B. GreenHouse Model by Peng, He, & Choi
Greenhouse propagation characterization is divided into 2
parts which is open space characteristic and foliage
characteristic. Where open space characteristic is based on
Peng, He, and Choi experiment [2], also in the greenhouse the
foliage is responsible for more loss of the signal. Therefore,
the equation will be :
𝑃𝑖 + 2 log10 𝑑 + 0.2𝑓 0.3 𝑑 0.6 (2)
Pi = Initial pathloss within 1m radius (dB)
f = frequency in GigaHertz (GHz)
d = overall distance in meter (m)
C. Green-Obaidat Pathloss Model
While the commonly used path loss equation model is
fairly accurate for free space loss, mobile WLAN systems
typically operate with antennas of 1-2 meters off the ground.
This low antenna height means that the Fresnel zone typically
limits the propagation of 2.4 GHz WLAN to fairly short
ranges [1].
 Free Space Pathloss Model and Distance Effect, Based
on Lee experimental measurement [4], A path loss
function proper with the distance between two antenna
is 40 dB/dec (~d4 ) or 12 dB/oct. This function has been
verified with the experimental measurement. Therefore,
the model will be :
40 log10 𝑑 (3)
Then Green-Obaidat adding pathloss model for free
space, the equation became :
40 log10 𝑑 + 20 log10 𝑓 (4)
 Antenna Height Gain
They proposes an equation for RF propagation close to
the ground that is independent from frequency.
Therefore the antenna height is gain. Also based on lee
experiment The equation shows a 60-dB/oct (~h) rule
for an antenna height gain at a base station.
Therefore, the equation will become :
40 log10 𝑑 + 20 log10 𝑓 + 20 log10 ℎ𝑟ℎ𝑡 (5)
f = frequency in gigahertz (GHz)
H t, h r = antenna heights for Tx and Rx in meter (m)
d = distance between Tx & Rx in meter (m)
III. RSSI MEASUREMENT
Measurement carried out to show the result of the
respective path loss model based on real world situation and
condition.
A. Observed Environments
We try to do an experiment on Indonesia near east Jakarta.
We propose location on Jamboree Cibubur that has 3 different
sites characteristic:
 Forest Site, which has trees tall for more than 4m. This
site also has 30cm (or more) tall and thick of bushes
and grass (antenna tall whether Transmitter or receiver
is less than 30cm). Fig 1. Shows measurement site that
has same characteristic with real forest/jungle.
 Garden Site, Which has trees tall for more than 3m.
This site has less than 10cm tall (more or less) of
bushes and grass. Fig 2. Shows measurement site for
garden characteristic.
 Plantation Site, which has oak trees tall for more than
2m. This site doesn’t even have bushes and grass. Fig
3. Shows measurement site for plantation
characteristic.
Fig 1. Forest Like condition site
 Fig 4. Measurement methods, Equipment, and tools

Fig 2. Garden Like condition site Therefore, the EIRP equation will be:
B. Measurement Walk Test / Drive Test Methods 𝑬𝑰𝑹𝑷 = 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡𝐴𝑃 + 𝐶𝐿𝑡 + 𝐺𝑏𝑡 + 𝐺𝑎𝑡 (6)
Our proposed measurement method will be doing walk
test/drive test along the site. Drive test/Walk test is common PoutAP = Transmit Power AP (17dBm)
things to do quality test performance of a cellular network [9]. CLt = Feeder / Cable Loss 20cm (1.6 dB/m)
Therefore, we propose the same thing in this paper. The mains
objectives are the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) Gbt = Gain at Booster (13 dB)
signal will be captured every 5 meters. Fig 4. Shows Gat = Gain at Booster antenna (5 dBi)
measurement methods, Equipment, and tools that we using in
And EIRP will be 17dBm - 0.32dB + 13dB + 5dBi =
this research.
24.68 dBm
TP-Link will generate RSSI signal, and with booster help
(PA/LNA) its range will be far away. Measurement result will  Receiver
be displayed via computer. Fig 5 shows RSSI measurement We use Microcontroller Wemos as a signal receiver,
capture using Arduino IDE Serial Monitor on laptop. Microcontroller Wemos is a one of popular IoT Node
with low cost and easy to install. The signal will be
C. Measurement Equipment
captured using Arduino IDE Serial Monitor feature.
In this paper, for measurement we need to use both Fig 7. Show receiver equipment configuration for
transmitter and receiver. Furthermore, we use the most measurement.
common WLAN infrastructure and IoT node so it will be easy
to verify the measurement result. For Microcontroller Wemos receive power will be:
 Transmitter 𝑹𝑷 = 𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑃 − 𝑃𝐿 + 𝐺𝑎𝑟 ≤ 𝑆𝑒 (7)
In order to do 50-100m measurement distance, we
RP = Received Power (dBm)
propose to use WLAN access point with Signal
Booster (RF PA-LNA amplifier) as the transmitter. Fig PL = Path loss (dB)
6. Show transmitter equipment configuration for Gar = Gain Antenna at Receiver (3dBi)
measurement.
Se = Sensitivity Receiver (-98 dBm)

Fig 5. Walk Test RSSI Capture

Fig 3. Plantation Like condition site
 C
B
D

Fig 6. Measurement Equipment Transmitter Fig 7. Microcontroller Wemos

A = Access Point (AP TP-Link)
B = Battery
C = Booster
D = Power converter 12 VDC to 220 VAC
IV. SIMULATION VERSUS MEASUREMENT
A simulation carried out to show the result of the
respective path loss models. In order to verify the simulation,
we had to do real time measurement. Table II shows
comparison between measurement average for 3 site model
and simulation for 3 path loss model.
In Fig. 8, we can see path loss model such as the accurate
path loss for 2.4 GHz ad-hoc network Green-Obaidat and The
greenhouse model by Peng, He, & Choi their model behavior
doesn’t fit the measurement result. But it seems the free space
path loss has the identical behavior with the measurement
result.
We proposed a new model based on free space path loss
model, and an average 30.91 dB loss for bushes-grass is added
to the equation to fit high grass-bushes more than 30 cm
environment measurement.
TABLE II. MEASUREMENT VS SIMULATION
Therefore, the equation becomes:
20 log10 𝑑 + 20 log10 𝑓 − 115.64 (8)
Similarly an average 27.59 dB loss for low (or without)
bushes-grass is added to the equation to fit low or without
grass-bushes environment measurement. Therefore, the
equation becomes:
20 log10 𝑑 + 20 log10 𝑓 − 118.96 (9)
We plotting another simulation using new proposed model
versus measurement before, the result is shown in Fig. 9.
In Fig. 9 we see a new proposed model well fit with
measurement behavior and also almost had same values with
the measurement.
V. VALIDATION
To show which model that has minimum error we validate
the result using RMSE. Table III shows RMSE for respective
3 models with measurement.
Based on RMSE shown on table III we see that the new
model has minimum error compare with two other models in
every measurement site.

Fig 8. Simulation VS Measurement

 As a result, our new proposed model for forest
environment with High grass-bushes has identical behavior but
with a little different result with measurement about 2.01 dB
more loss on 65 Meters. For our new proposed model in a
forest environment with low grass-bushes, it has 0.69 dB more
loss. And without grass-bushes, it has 0.26 dB more loss also
at 65 Meters.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Authors would like to thank Permana from Gerai
Cerdas and Muhammad Fathan for their contribution to lend
the measurement device, also Fauzi Atsani to help with the
Field Measurement.
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Fig 9. New Proposed model Simulation VS Measurement
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