Practical Link Budget Design using Path Loss Models

1. Most radio propagation models are derived using a combination of analytical

and empirical methods. The empirical approach is based on fitting curves or
analytical expressions that recreate a set of measured data.

2. Over time, some classical propagation models have emerged, which are now used
to predict large-scale coverage for mobile communication systems design.
Practical path loss estimation techniques are described below.

Log-distance Path Loss Model

1. The average large-scale path loss for an arbitrary T-R separation is expressed as
a function of distance by using a path loss exponent, n.

or

where do is the close-in reference distance which is determined from

measurements close to the transmitter, and d is the T-R separation distance.

2. The bars in equations (3.67) and (3.68) denote the ensemble average of all
possible path loss values for a given value of d. When plotted on a log-log scale,
the modeled path loss is a straight line with a slope equal to 10n dB per decade.

3. It is important to select a free space reference distance that is appropriate for the
propagation environment. In large coverage cellular systems, 1 km reference
distances are commonly used, whereas in microcellular systems, much smaller
distances (such as 100 m or 1 m) are used.

4. Table 3.2 lists typical path loss exponents obtained in various mobile radio
environments.
Environment Path Loss Exponent, n
Free space 2
Shadowed Urban cellular radio 3 to 5
Obstructed in buildings 4 to 6
Obstructed in factories 2 to 3

Log-normal Shadowing

1. The model in equation (3.68) does not consider the fact that the surrounding
environmental clutter may be vastly different at two different locations having the
same T-R separation. This leads to measured signals which are vastly different
than the average value predicted by equation (3.68).

2. Measurements have shown that at any value of d, the path loss PL(d) at a
particular location is random and distributed log-normally (normal in dB) about
the mean distance-dependent value. That is

and

where X is a zero-mean Gaussian distributed random variable (in dB) with

standard deviation  (also in dB).

3. The log-normal shadowing implies that measured signal levels at a specific T-R
separation have a Gaussian (normal) distribution about the distance-dependent
mean of (3.68), where the measured signal levels have values in dB units.

4. The close-in reference distance do the path loss exponent n, and the standard
deviation , statistically describe the path loss model for an arbitrary location
having a specific T-R separation, and this model may be used in computer
simulation to provide received power levels for random locations in
communication system design and analysis.
5. The probability that the received signal level will exceed a certain value ϒ can
be calculated from the cumulative density function as

Similarly, the probability that the received signal level will be below ϒ is given by

Determination of Percentage of Coverage Area

1. For a circular coverage area having radius R from a base station, let there be
some desired received signal threshold ϒ. We are interested in computing U(ϒ),
the percentage of useful service area, given a known likelihood of coverage at the
cell boundary.

2. Letting d = r represent the radial distance from the transmitter, it can be shown
that if Pr[ Pr(r)>ϒ ] is the probability that the random received signal at d = r
exceeds the threshold ϒ within an incremental area dA, then U(ϒ) can be found
by
3. Using (3.71) Pr[ Pr(r)>ϒ ] is given by

4. In order to determine the path loss as referenced to the cell boundary ( r = R ), it

is clear that

and equation (3.74) may be expresses as

5. If we let

and

then
6. By substituting

in eqn (3.77), it can be shown that

7. By choosing the signal level such that Pr(R) = ϒ (i.e. a = 0 ), U(ϒ) can be shown
to be

8. Eqn (3.78) may be evaluated for a large number of values of  and n. E.g. if
n = 4 and  = 8 dB, and if the boundry is to have 75% boundary coverage, then
the area coverage is equal to 94%. If n = 2 and  = 8 dB, a 75% boundary
coverage provides 91% area coverage.