Comparative Study of Path Loss Models for Wireless Mobile Network Planning
Keywords:
Wireless mobile, GSM Network, path loss modelsAbstract
Standard propagation models are based on extensive measurements and observations over a particular terrain. There is the need to examine the prediction error variations of the models over other environment in order to be useful in such areas. In this paper, the COST-231 Hata, Lee and COST-231 Walfisch-Ikegami path loss models were used as basis to analyze coverage prediction using signal strength measurement from a GSM network. This was conducted in the semi urban environment of Kano, Nigeria for nine base stations. The analysis of the data was used to obtain the prediction error statistics of the models. The results gave mean prediction error values of -5.2dB - 12.3dB and 4.3 dB for COST-231 Hata, Lee and COST-231 Walfisch-Ikegami path loss models respectively. These results show that on the average, the COST-231 Hata and Lee models under-predict the path loss. The COST-231 Walfisch-Ikegami models over-predict the path loss, but provide the best results for this urban environment.
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