PATHLOSS PROPAGATION AND PREDICTION OF GSM AT 900MHz IN RURAL AREAS

OF IN EKITI STATE

OBAYANJU M. S and ILESANMI I. B

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Ekiti state University, Nigeria

1.0 Introduction

Cellular system design has become more challenging in recent years as the
wireless industry experience a phenomenal growth, both in terms of mobile
technology and subscribers. This enormous growth raises the need for a reliable
network planning tools to speed the process from network design to
implementation [1]. GSM network in Nigeria is currently faced with the challenge
of customers dissatisfaction in the quality of service offered by the existing
network operators due to frequent dropped calls, poor network interconnectivity,
echoes and network congestion encountered [2]. This is largely as a result of
poor coverage and capacity planning before initial deployment. Received signal
strength prediction models play an important role in the Radio coverage planning
and optimization as well as in efficient use of the available resources in wireless
communication [3]. An understanding of the radio propagation characteristics of
an environment is a necessary condition for effective radio network planning.

Wireless communications is, by any measure, the fastest growing segment of

the communications industry. As such, it has captured the attention of the media
and the imagination of the public. Cellular systems have experienced
exponential growth over the last decade and there are currently around two
billion users worldwide. Indeed, cellular phones have become a critical business
tool and part of everyday life in most developed countries, and are rapidly
supplanting antiquated wire line systems in many developing countries. In
addition, wireless local area networks currently supplement or replace wired
networks in many homes, businesses, and campuses. Many new applications,
including wireless sensor networks, automated highways and factories, smart
homes and appliances, and remote telemedicine, are emerging from research
ideas to concrete systems.

2.0 Empirical Propagation Models

Path loss models such as Hata Model, Ericsson Model, Cost 231 Hata Model, ECC
233 Model etc. are chosen for comparison with measurement data. The best
existing path loss model with the closest propagation exponent, to the measured
path loss data will be chosen as a reference for the development of the path loss
model. path loss model will be tested during the validation process by comparing
the calculated path loss to the measured path loss in rural areas of Ekiti State.

Five existing path loss models are chosen as reference in the development of
the optimized path loss model. These existing path loss models are Okumura
Hatas Model, Ericsson model, free space model, Cost 231 Hata model and ECC
233 Model. These path loss models were developed empirically in the system
with similar antenna heights and frequency ranges which are applicable to
900MHz network in Ekiti State.

2.1 HATA MODELS

Hata established empirical mathematical relationships to describe the graphical

information given by Okumura. Hatas formulation is limited to certain ranges of
input parameters and is applicable only over quasi-smooth terrain. The
mathematical expression and their ranges of applicability are as follows [22-23]:

Carrier Frequency: 150 MHz fc 1500 MHz

Base Station (BS) Antenna Height: 30 m hb 200 m

Mobile Station (MS) Antenna Height: 1 m hm 10 m

d = distance in kilometers

For urban areas,

PL (dB) = A + B log10 (d)

2.1

For sub-urban areas,

PL (dB) = A + B log10 (d) C

2.2

For open or rural areas,

PL (dB) = A + B log10 (d) D

2.3

Where:

A = 69.55 +26.16 log10(fc) 13.82 log10 (hb) ahm

B = 44.9 6.55 log10 (hb)

C = 5.4 + 2 [log10 (fc/(28))]2

D = 40.94 + 4.78 [log10 (fc)]2 18.33 log10 (fc)

Where:

For medium or small city

ahm = [1.1log10 (fc) 0.7] hm [1.56log10(fc) 0.8]

2.4

for large city

ahm = 8.23[log10(1.54hm)]2 1.1
2.5

Fc 200MHz

ahm = 3.2 [log10 (11.75hm)]2 4.97

2.6

Fc 400MHz

2.2 COST 231 MODEL

This model is widely used for predicting path loss in mobile wireless system [24].
The COST-231 Hata model is designed to be used in the frequency band from
500 MHz to 2000 MHz. It also contains corrections for urban, suburban and rural
(open) environments. Although its frequency range is outside that of the
measurements, its simplicity and the availability of correction factors has seen it
widely used for path loss prediction at this frequency band.

The basic equation for path loss in dB [25-26]:

= 46.3 + 33.9log10 13.82 log 10hb hm + 44.9 6.55log10 hb log 10d +

Cm 2.7

Where,

f = frequency in MHz,

d = the distance between the base station and the receiver in km

hb = base station antenna height in meters

hm = mobile station antenna height in meters

The parameter cm is defined as 0 dB for suburban or open environments and 3

dB for urban environments.

Where:

For medium or small city

ahm = [1.1log10 (fc) 0.7] hm [1.56log10(fc) 0.8]

2.8

for large city

ahm = 8.23[log10(1.54hm)]2 1.1
2.9

Fc 200MHz

ahm = 3.2 [log10 (11.75hm)]2 4.97

2.10

Fc 400MHz

To evaluate the applicability of the COST-231 model for the 2375 MHz band, the
model predictions are compared against measurements for suburban
environment.

2.3 ECC 233 MODEL

The ECC 233 model formation is based on original measurement from Okumura
model. The model is most widely used in large and medium size cities, areas
having concluded and tall buildings. The operation range of this model is up to
3000MHz and the distance ranges from 1km to 100km. the model is expressed
as [27]

PL (dB) = Afs + Abm Gb Gr

2.11

Afs = Free space attenuation

Abm = Basic medium path loss

Gb = Transmitter antenna height gain factor

Gr = Receiver antenna height gain factor

d = distance in kilometers

Afs = 92.4 + 20log10d + 20log10f

2.12

Abm = 20.41 + 9.83log10d + 7.894log10f + 9.56(log10)2

2.13

Gb = log10 (hb/200)[13.958 + 5.8[log10d]2

2.14

Gr = [42.57 + 13.7log10f][log10hr -0.585]

2.15

2.4 FREE SPACE PATH LOSS

Path loss in free space (PLFSPL) defines how much strength of the signal is lost
during propagation from transmitter to receiver. FSPL model is diverse on
frequency and distance. The calculation is done by using the following equation
[28]:

PLFSPL = 32.45 + 20log10 d +20log10 f

2.16

Where,

F = frequency in MHz

d = distance between transmitter and receiver in kilometer.

The free space path loss calculations only look at the loss of the path itself and
do not contain any factors relating to the transmitter power, and antenna gains
or the receiver sensitivity levels. These factors are normally addresses when
calculating a link budget and these will also be used within radio and wireless
survey tools and software.

2.5 ERICSSON MODEL

To predict path loss, network planning engineers used software provided by

Ericsson Company based on a model called Ericsson model. This model also
stands on the modified Hata-Okumura model to allow room for changing in
parameters according to the propagation environments.

Path loss according to this model is given by [29]

PL= a0 + a1 log10 (d) + a2 log10(hb) + a3 log10(hb)log10 (d) - 3.2 [log10

(11.75hr)]2 + g(f) 2.17

Where, g(f) is defined by:

g (f)= 44.49 log10 (f) - 4.78 [log(f)]2

F = the frequency in GHz,

Hb= Transmitter antenna height

Hr = Receiver antenna height in meter.

d = distance in meters

3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Here, the analysis of data obtained through measurements is carried out. The
path loss estimated by the ECC 233, COST-231, HATA, and ERICSSON models are
 calculated, and plotted against distance on the same graph as that of the
measured path loss.

Table 3.1: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for IKORO EKITI,
IJERO LGA with Antenna Height (Hb) = 32m at a frequency of 900MHz

Distance Measured Hata Cost ECC 233 Free space Ericsson

(km) pathloss(dB) model(dB) 231(dB) model(dB) model(dB) model(dB)
0.1 70.0 68.60 90.97 205.07 71.52 192.09
0.2 73.3 75.39 105.34 214.50 77.55 212.99
0.3 74.6 86.05 120.44 226.32 81.06 225.66
0.4 78.0 93.66 131.19 236.09 83.57 234.54
0.5 81.0 98.44 138.41 243.29 85.50 241.46
0.6 83.3 103.04 145.0 250.74 87.08 247.19
0.7 84.6 110.08 153.73 263.64 88.42 252.35
0.8 86.5 114.47 159.58 273.99 89.59 256.75
0.9 90.0 118.80 165.20 286.97 90.61 260.77
1.0 94.6 123.08 170.63 293.50 91.52 264.33

Table 3.20: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for IWOROKO
EKITI, IREPODUN/IFELODUN LGA with Antenna Height (H b) = 36m at a frequency of
900MHz

Distance Measured Hata Cost ECC 233 Free space Ericsson

(km) pathloss(dB) model(dB) 231(dB) model(dB) model(dB) model(dB)
0.1 63.0 68.84 91.87 204.98 71.52 192.77
0.2 67.8 75.73 106.14 214.63 77.55 213.68
0.3 71.0 81.35 116.08 222.09 81.06 225.99
0.4 75.7 86.44 124.24 228.76 83.56 234.79
0.5 79.4 88.71 128.88 232.70 85.50 241.54
0.6 81.8 93.34 135.45 238.70 87.09 247.22
0.7 83.3 97.85 141.59 245.01 88.43 252.07
0.8 87.9 103.54 148.71 253.57 89.59 256.43
0.9 93.5 106.61 153.03 259.07 90.61 260.16
1.0 97.0 112.18 159.72 270.10 91.52 263.78

Table 3.21: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for OKE
AYEDUN EKITI, IKOLE LGA with Antenna Height (Hb) = 36m at a frequency of 900MHz

Distance Measured Free Space Hata Model Cost 231 ECC Model Ericsson
(km) Pathloss, Lp Model (dB) Model (dB) model (dB)
(dB) (dB) (dB)
0.1 63.3 71.52 76.99 100.0 211.44 193.15
0.2 67.7 77.54 83.89 114.3 221.69 214.09
0.3 71.0 81.07 89.76 124.49 230.69 226.45
0.4 78.0 83.57 95.37 133.16 238.34 235.3
0.5 83.3 85.5 100.69 140.86 246.71 242.3
0.6 84.9 87.09 106.86 148.96 257.59 248.2
0.7 86.3 88.43 111.11 154.86 266.71 253.16
0.8 90.1 89.59 114.76 159.93 276.0 257.5
0.9 89.8 90.6 119.1 165.53 290.0 261.6
1.0 94.6 91.5 123.14 170.69 309.18 265.4

Table 3.22: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for IGOGO
EKITI, MOBA LGA with Antenna Height (Hb) = 31m at a frequency of 900MHz

Distance Measured Hata Cost ECC 233 Free space Ericsson

(km) pathloss(dB) model(dB) 231(dB) model(dB) model(dB) model(dB)
0.1 70.0 52.31 74.49 195.19 71.52 191.29
0.2 73.3 61.63 91.44 205.35 77.55 212.25
0.3 74.9 72.27 106.56 215.28 81.06 224.73
0.4 80.1 81.14 118.59 224.17 83.57 233.68
0.5 83.9 91.01 130.92 234.79 85.50 240.82
0.6 84.9 95.60 137.53 241.04 87.08 246.49
0.7 91.1 101.36 144.98 249.21 88.42 251.45
0.8 96.5 107.03 152.12 258.49 89.59 255.84
0.9 100.0 113.90 160.29 272.50 90.61 259.96
1.0 104.0 120.72 168.27 293.34 91.52 263.95

Table 3.23: Numerical Path Loss for different Path Loss Prediction Models for ILUDUN
EKITI, ILEJEMEJE LGA with Antenna Height (Hb) = 34m at a frequency of 900MHz

Distance Measured Hata Cost ECC 233 Free space Ericsson

(km) pathloss(dB) model(dB) 231(dB) model(dB) model(dB) model(dB)
0.1 71.0 70.62 93.33 206.40 71.52 192.52
0.2 73.3 77.46 107.65 216.07 77.55 213.43
0.3 74.9 85.60 120.16 225.92 81.06 225.89
0.4 80.1 90.68 128.34 232.93 83.57 234.71
0.5 84.9 96.75 136.82 241.30 85.50 241.70
0.6 90.1 102.65 144.68 250.37 87.08 247.52
0.7 93.9 107.14 150.84 258.45 88.42 252.44
0.8 100.0 111.55 156.69 267.61 89.59 256.79
0.9 103.0 117.16 163.57 282.36 90.61 260.92
1.0 110.0 121.44 168.99 298.34 91.52 264.66

350

300

250
Measured pathloss(dB)
200
Hata model(dB)
Pathloss(dB) 150 Cost 231(dB)
100 ECC 233 model(dB)
Free space model(dB)
50 Ericsson model(dB)
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Distance(km)

Figure3.0 Comparative path loss model in IKORO EKITI, Ijero Local Goverrnment at2G
 300

250

200
Measured pathloss(dB)
150 Hata model(dB)
Pathloss(dB)
Cost 231(dB)
100 ECC 233 model(dB)
Free space model(dB)
50 Ericsson model(dB)

0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Distance(km)

Figure 3.21 Comparative path loss model in IWOROKO, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local

Government at 2G

350

300

250
Measured Pathloss, Lp (dB)
200
Free Space Model (dB)
Pathloss(dB) 150 Hata Model (dB)
Cost 231 Model (dB)
100
ECC Model (dB)
50 Ericsson model (dB)

0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Distance(km)

Figure 3.22 Comparative path loss model for OKE AYEDUN in Ikole Local
Government at 2G
 350

300

250

200 Measured pathloss(dB)

Hata model(dB)
Pathloss(dB)
150 Cost 231(dB)
ECC 233 model(dB)
100
Free space model(dB)
50 Ericsson model(dB)

0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Distance(km)

Figure 3.23 Comparative path loss model in IGOGO, Otun Local Government at
2G

350

300

250
Measured pathloss(dB)
200
Hata model(dB)
Pathloss(dB) 150 Cost 231(dB)
100 ECC 233 model(dB)
Free space model(dB)
50
Ericsson model(dB)
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Distance(km)

Figure 3.24 Comparative path loss model in ILUDUN, Ilejemeje Local Government
Area at 2G