COST 231 HATA MODEL FOR LTE
TECHNOLOGIES
Barrera Morales Ángel Rodrigo Amaguaya Uvidia Edison Fernando
ESPOCH ESPOCH
Telecommunications School Telecommunications School
angel.barrera@espoch.edu.ec edison.amaguaya@espoch.edu.ec
Abstract—This article will study the different propagation
models for LTE technologies, given the wide evolution and
global implementation of LTE it is necessary to have some
propagation models that allow us to predict propagation losses
according to the characteristics in which it will be implemented,
aspects such as power and frequency of transmission and the
following research will focus on the analysis of the Okumura
Hata Propagation Model for the long-term evolution network
(4G LTE) at a frequency of 800 to 1800 [MHz].
Keywords - Propagation models, Okumura-Hata, Wireless
channel, 4G LTE.
I. INTRODUCTION
LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a wireless broadband data
transmission technology that is primarily designed to be
able to support the constant access of mobile phones and
portable devices to the internet.[1] Developed by 3GPP, LTE
is a new generation compared to UMTS (third generation
or 3G) and GSM (second generation or 2G). It allows high
bit rates with low latency, is cheap and easy to deploy by
operators, and avoids fragmentation by type of duplication.
LTE uses OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple
Access) links to minimize interference and increase spectral
efficiency, using channels of variable size between 1.25 and
20 MHz.[2][3]
Evolution of LTE technologies: First generation 1G (voice
channels with analog technology, the link quality is very
low, handover is imprecise and there are no security), second
generation 2G (offers portability due to its SIM card), third
generation 3G (higher transmission speed).[4]
Propagation models are a mathematical expression whose
purpose is to characterize the propagation of radio waves
based on a series of parameters, such as frequency, distance
and other factors that will depend on each model. Among
some of the propagation models for LTE technologies we find:
Xia-Bertoni Model (describes the propagation of the signal
in the UHF band), Walfisch-Bertoni Model (valid when there
is no line of sight between the base station and the mobile ),
Deterministic models (the same inputs always give rise to the
same outputs, without the uncertainty principle taking place),
Semi-empirical models (they incorporate empirical correction
factors).[4][5][6]
Torres Clavijo Diego Andrés
ESPOCH
Telecommunications School
diegoa.torres@espoch.edu.ec
The Okumura Hata Propagation Model, which is the
object of study of this work, is a model for predicting
propagation losses in urban and suburban areas. Predicting
the power of a receiver is characterized by its use for mobile
communications, working at a frequency ranging from 150
[MHz] to 2000[MHz] in fact different from the Okumura
Model working at a slightly longer frequency. The height
of the base in this model works from 30 [m] to 200 [m],
of course it depends on the requirements of use. The height
of the mobile ranges from 1 [m] to 10 [m] and depends on
where the mobile is located. This model has a correction
factor by area, the correction factor for the effective height
of the mobile antenna depends on the type of city which can
be: small cities, medium cities and large cities.[7][8][9][10]
Regarding LTE and LTE-A (later evolution), cellular
networks are detailed that are not limited to providing
services to mobile terminals, but also allow connection to
fixed wireless networks with a good transmission speed,
capable of handling the requirements of the real world. The
4G technology so far are long term evolution (LTE) and
IEEE’s Wimax. The technology is based on multicarrier
modulation like orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). The system
has 100Mbps at high mobility and around 1Gbps at low
mobility.[10]
II. COST-231 HATA PROPAGATION MODEL
It was born from an extensive campaign of measures
carried out in Tokyo, in the range of 100 MHz to 1920 MHz,
by the Model Okumura.[11] The main result of Okumura’s
work was a set of curves that provide the average level of
attenuation relative to free space, depending on the frequency,
distance between transmitter and receiver, the height of the
base station antennas and the mobile station, as well as
several correction factors specific to different types of path.
Hata established a series of numerical relationships that
describe the graphical method proposed by Okumura. The
main result provided by the Okumura Hata model is the
median value of the basic propagation loss, depending on the
frequency (f), distance (d), and antenna heights of the base
station hb and mobile hm .[12]
The Okumura Hata model is restricted to the following
limits:
f : 150 to 1500 [M Hz]
hb : 30 to 200 [m]
hm : 1 to 10 [m]
d : 1 to 20 [km]
The Okumura Hata model expresses the basic loss of
propagation, Lb, as follows[13]:
Lb = 69.55 + 26.16 log f - 13.82 log hb - a(hm ) +
(44.9 - 6.55 log hb ) log dm
where a hm is a correction factor that depends on the
height of the mobile and is calculated as follows:
1) For urban areas:
a) Small or medium-sized cities:
a(hm ) = (1.1 log f - 0.7) hm - (1.56 log f - 0.8)
where 1 ≤ hm ≤ 10 [m]
b) For large(cities:
8.29(log1.54hm )2 − 1.1 f ≤ 200[M Hz] Science approved in April 2019. Whose theme is ”Research
a(hm ) =
3.2(log11.75hm )2 − 4.97 f ≥ 400[M Hz] and Modelling of fourth generation pathloss long-term
2) For suburban areas:
Lb = Lb (urban) − 2[log(f /28)]2 − 5.4
3) For rural areas:
Lb = Lb (urban) − 4.78log(f )2 + 18.33logf − 40.94
In general, this calculation method provides good results in
urban and suburban environments, but not in rural areas, as it
does not take into account the ripple of the land or the effects
derived from the degree of urbanization along the way.
Because this model was only valid for frequencies between
150 and 1500 MHz, the Cost-Hata method was developed,
which provides an expression for calculating propagation
losses at higher frequencies. With this method, the expression
remains:
Lb (dB) = 46.3 + 33.9log10 (f ) − 13.82log10 (hrx ) −
a(hm ) + (44.9 − 6.55log10 hrx )log10 d
Now, the valid frequency range for the above equation
is between 1500 and 2000 MHz, leaving the range for the
other parameters of the equation equal to the previous general
case.[13]
COST-231 Hata method was developed, which provides
an expression for calculating propagation losses at higher
frequencies. With this method, the expression remains:
Lp (dB) = P L0 − 13.82log10 hBST − a(hM S ) + [44.9 −
6.55log10 hM S ]log10 d + Ck
Where
P L0 : 46.3 + 33.9log10 f
Ck : Area correction factor
Lp : Path loss in(dB)
f : The carrier frequency(in M Hz)
hBST : Base station antenna height(m)
hM S : Mobile antenna height(m)
a(hM S ) : Correction factor for mobile station
d : base station to mobile separation distance(km)
Ck = 0 dB for medium sized city and suburban areas and
3dB for urban centers
Now, the valid frequency range for the above equation
is between 1500 and 2000 MHz, base atenna height of
30m − 200m, mobile antenna height is between 1m-10m,
and separation distance 1km.[7]
III. ARTICLES
A. Scenario I
The first scenario corresponds to an article in ife Journal of
evolution network along major highways in lakes (Nigeria)”.
Propagation measurements were carried out with an
estimated population of more than 22 million inhabitants with
a tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of 1693 mm.
Propagation measurements were taken at 1800MHz, from
three base stations of evolved nodes (eNodeBs) located along
three different routes in Lagos, and the received power of the
reference signal (RSRP) was measured for the three eNodeBs,
using the drive test equipment of Huawei technologies.[14]
Table I: Modeling measurements and parameters.
Comparison of measured and predicted route loss. The loss of
route measured in what is investigated. Routes are compared
to the COST-231 Hata. This model has been selected for
inline comparison with the frequency range for which it is
most valid.
Figure 1: Comparison of measured pathloss against free Figure 4: Comparison of measured and predicted pathloss
space loss. along route 3.[14]

Figure 2: Comparison of measured and predicted pathloss

along route 1.[14]

Table II: Basic statistics of measured path loss compared

with predicted pathloss.[14]

Figure 3: Comparison of measured and predicted pathloss

along route 2.[14]
textbfTable III: Standard deviation and percentage errors of
Figure 6: Measurement points in the West.
path loss models.[14]

The COST-231 Hata model showed the least ingrained mean The coordinates of the measurement points (Red Dots)
square errors of 7.42dB, 7.63dB, and 9.64dB along routes 1, were found through a free mobile application called GSM
2, and 3, respectively. This model was selected and modified, Field Test. BTS (Green Points) data to identify CID and LAC
using the least squared algorithm. The model was seen to pre- was performed using cell phone and GSM Field Test app.
dict the loss of path of data measured with enhanced RMSEs
of 5.20dB, 4.89dB, and 8.78dB, for investigated routes 1, 2,
and 3, respectively. Nearer-zero RMSEs show improvements
in model prediction accuracy, and the modified model could be
very useful for renewing network planning, system design, and
the deployment of wireless networks on and around selected
roads in Lagos, Nigeria.
B. Scenario II
It is a Master’s thesis whose theme is ”Statistical Adjustment
to Propagation Models for Mobile Networks”
Figure 7: GSM Field Test mobile mobile app.
The radio spectrum measurement campaign was carried
out in the city of Bogota D.C, it took a time of 72h in the
South and West [15] area. In total, the measurement campaign
was conducted over thirteen days. Spectrum occupancy was
measured in the range of 824 MHz to 849 MHz and also at
1700 MHz to 1900 MHz.[16]

Table VI: Parameters of the South and West Zones.[16]

Figure 5: Measurement points in the South zone.

The transmission power was taken according to Nokia’s
tool (36 to 45 dBm), for the calculation of the received
power. The receiving power is the one that is finally
compared to the measurements obtained in each zone, the
gain of the transmission antenna is 3dBi and the gain of the
receiving antenna of 1dBi; these values add to the difference
in transmission power and propagation losses found through
the model.
The difference in the propagation losses of the model
between the south and the western zone is minimal, when
implementing measurements of a single zone is sufficient to
make the adjustment, this because the difference in the height
Figure 8: Model COST-231 Hata – South Zone [824
of the antennas is minimal (10 meters), the transmission
MHz].[16]
power is the same with an equal coverage of 300 meters and
the transmission power equal to being the same equipment in
the BTS.

Table VI: Propagation Losses and PRx – COST-231 Hata

West Zone (1-20 m).[16]
Table V: Propagation losses PRx COST-231 Hata South
Zone (1-20 m).[16]
The third article corresponds to an American Journal
of Engineering Research article November 2015 that is
entitled ”Comparative study of path loss models for wireless
communication in the urban and suburban environment for
Port Harcourt, Nigeria”. Authors: Akujobi Ekeocha, Nosiri
Onyebuchi and Achumba Ifenyinwa.

The study was based on the comparative analysis of

propagation models for the Global Mobile Communications
System at 900MHz. Drive test analyses were carried out
from two selected lands in Rivers State, namely GRA Phase

Figure 9: Model Okumura-Hata – West Zone [824
MHz].[16]
Figure 10: COST-231 Hata model and measurement
regression line.
Figure 11: Study area.
II and Aggrey Road classified as urban and suburban areas
respectively, to evaluate the best propagation model for the
study area.[17]
Figure 12: Probabilistic Spectrum Occupancy Pattern –
COST-231 Hata.
Figure 13: View of drive test routes.
Figure 15: Comparison of Predicted and Measured Path loss
in suburban environment.
The COST-231 Hata Model was shown to show considerable
performance and can be tuned for better performance. It can
be said that the performance of the propagation model depends
on the environment. Therefore, the influence of environmental
factors should be emphasized and properly accounted for
when considering base station sites. Therefore, one of the
best possible ways to get better channel characteristics is to
optimize existing path loss models based on measured data
collected from a specific area.[17]
 Table VII:Empirical and Measured Path loss values for
Urban Environment.
Table VIII: Comparison between predicted and measured
Path loss in an urban environment.
IV. RESULTS ANALYSIS
For the calculation of propagation losses using The COST-
231 Hata Model in 4G LTE technologies, the deployment
scenario, the available mapping information, the transmitter
height and the terrain profile of the scenario considered are
taken into account. In the case of the first scenario carried out
in Lagos Nigeria Table II shows the measured path losses and
expected road losses that compared to scenario II (Bogotá,
Colombia), both studied in urban area propagation losses are
greater in scenario I and this is because in Lagos Nigeria
the distance between the transmitting and receiving antenna
is greater with a value of 20 [Km] than in Bogota , which
implies that the greater distance greater interference which
makes the signal weaker.
Table v (South Zone) and Table VI (West Zone) show the
losses from propagation and reception power of Scenario
II which compared to scenario III carried out in Harcourt
(Nigeria) the losses are greater in Harcourt and this is because
the distance between the transmitting and receiving antenna is
greater than the proposal in Bogota , both studied in urban
areas.
Among the 3 scenarios the one that obtained the greatest
propagation losses was harcourt first because the distance
between the transmitting and receiving antenna is greater than
in the other two scenarios, second because the height of the
transmitting antenna was greater whose value is 40 [m] than
in Lagos (30 m) and Bogota (35 m), since when we worked
with the Model COST-231 Hata depends to a large extent on
the height of the transmitter , when the transmitter is high, this
propagation model does not model signal fading which implies
that predictions are more reliable if diffraction is modeled from
land and construction information; However, when this type of
information is not available, the COST-231 Hata offers a good
approximation to the average value of the received signal.
Figure 14: Empirical and Measured Path loss values for
Suburban Environment.
Table IX: Comparison of Predicted and Measured Path loss
in suburban environment.
V. CONCLUSIONS
1) The COST-231 Hata Propagation Model for a 4G LTE
mobile network at a frequency of 1800 [MHz] for
lagos (Nigeria) roads using Huawei Technologies drive
test equipment, showed the least ingrained mean square
errors of 7.42 [dB], 7.63 [dB] and 9.64 [dB] along routes
1, 2 and 3, this model is highly chosen when it is in
search of predicting the path losses of data measured
with RMSES in this case in this scenario resulted in
losses of 5.20 [dB] for Route 1, 4.89 [dB] for Route 2
and 8.78 [dB] for Route 3. Undoubtedly this propagation
model is ideal when the purpose of its use is to improve
the accuracy of signal prediction.
2) Scenario II in the City of Bogota D.C in the South
and West areas at a frequency of 824 [MHz] resulted
in a loss of 65.37 [dB] in the South Zone, 66.21 [dB]
and 67.01 [dB] corresponding to distances of 18, 19
and 20 [m], while in the West Zone it resulted in
losses of 65.02 [dB] , 65.85 [dB] and 66.62 [dB] at
distances of 18, 19 and 20 [m]. The difference in the
propagation losses of the model between the south and
the western zone is minimal, because if we realize in the
 loss result table there is little variation, which implies
that to make measurements is sufficient a single zone
because the height of the antenna is minimum of 10
[m], the transmission power is the same with an equal
coverage of 300 [m] and the transmission power equals
being the same equipment in the BTS.
3) Scenario III in Harcourt, Nigeria, was based on the
analysis of the Global Mobile Communications System
at 900MHz with the use of model COST-231 Hata, drive
test analysis is of two selected terrains in Rivers State,
namely GRA Phase II and Aggrey Road classified as
urban and suburban areas respectively, resulting in av-
erage path losses of 115.16 [dB] for urban environment
at a distance of 0.5 [Km] while for the suburban area
resulted in 114.32 [dB] at the same distance as the urban
area. It is therefore concluded that the performance of
the COST-231 Hata Model depends on the environment
so that the influence of it is considered.
4) The fundamental factor of the COST-231 Hata Model
is the frequency since when conducting the study of
the scenarios shown it is concluded that the frequency
change more predominantly affects the results obtained
in each of the simulated environments. It should be noted
that the LTE system depends not only on the base radios
for the coverage offered, but also on the mobile terminals
that support LTE.
5) It is concluded that the loss path decreases with the
increase in distance due to a corresponding decrease
in field strength and to culminate the COST-231 Hata
model for the urban region is the closest of all propaga-
tion models considered to classify the environment into
consideration as it gives a better and closer prediction
to the measured path loss.
[3] J. E. A. Peña, “Sistema mu – mimo en una red 4g – lte,” 2014.
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[15] ITU-R, “Spectrum occupancy measurement,” International Telecommu-
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[16] R. E. C. Sánchez, “Statistical adjustment to propagation models for mo-
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VI. RECOMMENDATIONS
1) For a good prediction of propagation losses it is
recommended first to have the information of the
territorial distribution so that the model can be
characterized and therefore decide whether or not it
is applicable to the specific conditions of the city in
which you want to work.

2) Another factor to consider is the influence of the

environment should be emphasized and duly accounted
for when considering base station sites. Therefore,
one of the best possible ways to get better channel
characteristics is to optimize existing path loss models
based on measured data collected from a specific area.

R EFERENCES
[1] E. A. D.-R. y. J. L. L.-B. Sergio Vidal-Beltrán, “Simplified propagation
model for lte on the 2.1ghz frequency,” 2017.
[2] K.-E. D. Suneetha Rani, Subrahmanyam VVRK Behara, “Comparison of
standard propagate cntion model (spm) and stanford university interim
radio propagation models (suis) for long-term evolution (lte),” 2018.