Lecture 2
TX and RX Signal Models
Path Loss Models
Free-space and 2-Ray Models
General Ray Tracing
Single-Slope Path Loss Exponent Model
Empirical Models
mmWave Models
Lecture 1 Review
Course Information
Wireless Vision
Technical Challenges
Current/Next-Gen Wireless Systems
Spectrum Regulation and Standards
Emerging Wireless Systems
Emerging systems can be covered in a bonus lecture
Propagation Characteristics
Path Loss (includes average shadowing)
Shadowing (due to obstructions)
Multipath Fading
Slow
Fast
Pt Pr/Pt
Pr v Very slow
d=vt
d=vt
Path Loss Modeling
Maxwell’s equations
Complex and impractical
Free space and 2-path models
Too simple
Ray tracing models
Requires site-specific information
Single-slope path loss exponent model
Main characteristics: good for high-level
analysis
Measurement-based and Standards Models
Not accurate; used to assess different designs
Free Space (LOS) Model
d=vt
Path loss for unobstructed LOS path
Power falls off :
Proportional to 1/d2
Proportional to l2 (inversely proportional to
f2)
This is due to the effective aperture of the antenna
Two Ray Model
Path loss for one LOS path and 1 ground (or
reflected) bounce
Ground bounce approximately cancels LOS
path above critical distance
Power falls off
Proportional to d2 (small d)
Proportional to d4 (d>dc)
Independent of l (fc)
Two-path cancellation equivalent to 2-element array, i.e. the
effective aperature of the receive antenna is changed.
General Ray Tracing
Models signal components as particles
Reflections
Scattering
Diffraction
Reflections generally dominate
Requires site geometry and dielectric
properties
10-ray
Easier than reflection model explored
Maxwell (geometry in HW
vs. differential
eqns)
Simplified Path Loss Model
Used when path loss dominated by
reflections.
Most important parameter is the path
loss exponent g, determined empirically.
d 0r
Pr Pt K , 2 8
d
mmWave: What’s the big deal?
All existing commercial systems fit into a small fraction of the mmWave band
mmWave Propagation mmW
Massive
(60-100GHz) MIMO
Channel models immature
Based on measurements, few accurate analytical models
Path loss proportion to l2 (huge)
Also have oxygen and rain absorbtion
l is on the order of a water molecule
mmWave systems will be short range or require “massive MIMO”
Empirical Channel Models
(not covered in lecture, not on HW/exams)
Early cellular empirical models:
Empirical path loss models for early cellular systems were based on
extensive measurements.
Okumura model: empirically based (site/freq specific), uses graphs
Hata model: Analytical approximation to Okumura
Cost 231 Model: extends Hata to higher freq. (2 GHz)
Multi-slope model
Walfish/Bertoni: extends Cost 231 to include diffraction
Current cellular models (LTE and 5G):
Detailed path loss models for UE (3GPP TS 36.101) and base stations (3GPP
TS 36.104) for different multipath delay spreads, user speeds and MIMO
antenna correlations.
The 5G model includes higher frequencies (up to 100 GHz).
WiFi channel models: TGn and TGac
Indoor and outdoor path loss models with MIMO (4x4 & greater),
40 MHz channels (& greater), and different multipath delay spread.
Commonly used in cellular and WiFi system simulations
Main Points
Path loss models simplify Maxwell’s equations
Models vary in complexity and accuracy
Power falloff with distance is proportional to d2 in
free space, d4 in two path model
Main characteristics of path loss captured in
single-slope exponent model Pr=PtK[dr/d]g
mmWave propagation models still immature
Path loss large due to frequency, rain, and oxygen
Empirical models used in simulations