See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/256460906

A hybrid model for path loss calculation in urban environment

Conference Paper · January 2009

CITATIONS READS
5 458

2 authors:

Leandro Carísio Fernandes Antonio Soares

28 PUBLICATIONS 92 CITATIONS
University of Brasília
71 PUBLICATIONS 436 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Leandro Carísio Fernandes on 10 April 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

3. WAVE PROPAGATION
A hybrid model for path loss calculation in
urban environment
Leandro Carísio Fernandes, Antonio José Martins Soares
Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica
Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70.910-900, Brasília, DF, Brasil
carisio@gmail.com, martins@ene.unb.br
Abstract — In this paper a genetic algorithm is used to obtain
an equation for path loss in an urban environment. The model
was developed from measurements at 947 MHz, in Munich,
Germany, and validated with data from measurements in Ottawa,
Canada, at 910 MHz.
I. INTRODUCTION
The calculation of the transmitted power attenuation as it
propagates through space (path loss) is a fundamental
component in the design of wireless communication systems.
The electromagnetic wave between the transmitter and receiver
propagates through different paths, from direct line of sight
(LOS) to a situation where the environment is obstructed by
buildings, trees etc [1].
Several propagation models are available to calculate the
fluctuations in the signal intensity in urban environment. Due
to the nonlinear and complex characteristics of propagation in
these environments, some researchers suggest the use of
artificial intelligence techniques to predict the path loss [2]-
[3]. In this work, a new hybrid model is presented, which
combines measures with genetic algorithm to obtain a equation
that considers various characteristics of the propagation
environment.
II. THE PROPOSED MODEL
The log-distance path loss model, used for the mean path
loss is given by the equation:
d 
LB dB  LB (d 0 )  10n log10   (1)
 d0 
. around 2300 points on 3 different routes. The measurements
where n is the path loss exponent which indicates the rate at
which the path loss increases with the distance d; and d0 is the
reference distance, normally 1 km when large coverage
cellular systems are used or 1 m to 100 m in microcellular
systems. In (1), LB(d0) is the mean path loss at reference
distance d0, calculated using some model or through field
measurements [1]. In this model, n is defined in a subjective
manner, being dependent on the propagation environment. For
example, n = 2 for free space; 2.7  n  3.5 for urban area
cellular radio; and 4  n  6 when the path is obstructed by
buildings. Even for a particular kind of environment, there is a
range of values to be chosen. In order to quantify the different
characteristics of the propagation environment, the following
equation is proposed to calculate the mean path loss, which has
the advantage of quantifying the environment, removing the
subjective nature in the choice of n in (1):
LB dB  A  20 log 10 hT   20 log 10 ( hR )
(2)
 B f C  Dma   E g F  Gbn 
d 
 H  I h J  Kma   L i M  Nbn log 10  
 d0 
where hT and hR are the height of transmitter and receiver
antennas, respectively; ma and bn varies with the receiver
position and the propagation environment between the
transmitter and receiver.
The parameter ma is defined in the [0, 1] interval and
quantifies the building occupation in an area within a sector of
30º from the transmitter towards the receiver. Its value is
obtained by simple average of the percentage of area covered
by buildings for distances equal to d/3, 2d/3 and d. Thus, a
higher correlation between ma and the path loss is obtained.
The value of bn is the number of buildings that block the direct
line of sight between transmitter and receiver.
The constants A, B, C, D, ..., N and the functions f(), g(),
h() and i() were determined by a genetic algorithm, a tool that
provides a simple way to test various functions and constants
without using brute force technique. For the genetic algorithm
input, measurements provided by Mannesmann Mobilfunk
covering an area of 2.4 km  3.4 km in Munich, Germany were
used [4]. The database contains building data in vector format,
the height of each building, and measures of path loss to
were performed at 947 MHz and the heights of transmitting
and receiving antennas were 13 m and 1.5 m respectively.
Measured values are available for distance between
approximately 100 m and 2 km. This database was separated
into two sets of measures: one for training and another for
testing. The set used for training was formed from 44
measurements selected to represent different values for the
triple (ma, bn, d).
In this genetic algorithm, each chromosome represents the
constants A to N and the functions f(), g(), h() and i() shown in
(2). Each constant was coded with a 15-bit binary string: 1 bit
for the signal, 7 for the fractional part, and 7 for the integer
part. The functions were coded in a 3-bit binary string.
For each of the 44 samples of the test database, the path
loss is determined using (2) and the constants and functions
3. WAVE PROPAGATION

given by the chromosome decoding. The mean square error

between the measurements and the predicted path loss
determines the chromosome fitness. The higher the error, the
lower the fitness and vice versa.
Using this methodology, the following equation was
obtained for the path loss:

LB dB  107.3  20 log 10 hT   20 log 10 (hR ) 

(3)
 60ma  12.17 log 10 0.21  0.05bn 

 d 
 53.46  50.24ma  0.37bn  log 10  
 100 

III. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Fig. 1. Comparison between measured and predicted path loss in Munich
Figure 1 shows the comparison between measured path
loss and the predicted one by the proposed model and the
COST 231-Walfish-Ikegame (COST-WI [5]) through the three
routes considered. The first order statistics for this cases is
presented in Table I. Figure 2 shows the path loss measured,
predicted using the proposed model and the COST-WI to data
available in [6]. Table II summarizes the first order statistics
for this case. As can be seen, the proposed model describes
with good accuracy the measured path loss.
The proposed model was developed and tested near 900
MHz for distances between 100 m and 2 km. The results show
that the method has remained consistent when the propagation
environment is changed. Equivalent models can be built for
different frequencies bands, from measurements and equation
(2).
The great advantage of the proposed model is the
possibility of obtaining the parameters directly related to the
propagation environment using the genetic algorithm. To do
this, it is necessary to have measurements in some part of the Fig. 2. Comparison between measured and predicted path loss in Ottawa
area of interest. This allows the model to become flexible and
easily adaptable to the region of under analysis.

TABLE I REFERENCES
FIRST ORDER STATISTIC FOR MUNICH DATABASE [1] T. S. Rappaport, “Wireless Communications: Principles and Pratice”,
Model Route 0 Route 1 Route 2 2nd ed., Hardcover, 2002.
COST-WI Mean error (dB) 10.9 14.5 15.5 [2] I. Popescu, I. Nafornita and P. Constantinou, “Comparison of Neural
Standard deviation (dB) 7.6 6.9 8.7 Network Models for Path Loss Prediction”, IEEE International
Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and
Proposed Mean error (dB) 1.7 2.6 0.4
Standard deviation (dB) 6.2 Communications, 2005.
5.5 4.6
[3] S. Phaiboon, P. Phokharutkul and S. Somkurnpanich, “Multi-Layer
Fuzzy Logic Sets for Mobile Path Loss in Forests”, TENCON 2006. 2006
IEEE Region 10 Conference.
TABLE II [4] Mannesmann Mobilfunk GmbH, Germany, [Online] Available:
http://www2.ihe.uni-karlsruhe.de/forschung/cost231/cost231.en.html
FIRST ORDER STATISTIC FOR OTTAWA DATABASE
[5] D. J. Cichon and Thomas Kurner, “Propagation Prediction Models”,
Model COST 231 Final Report [Online]. Available: http://www.lx.it.pt/cost231
COST-WI Mean error (dB) 5.7 [6] J. H. Writteker, “Measurements of Path Loss at 910 MHz for Proposed
Standard deviation (dB) 6.2 Microcell Urban Mobile Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular
Proposed Mean error (dB) 1.8 Technology, Vol. 37, Issue 3, August, 1988.
Standard deviation (dB) 4.2

View publication stats