Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Commercial-in-Confidence
Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Contents
UMTS spectrum
Model types
Map data requirements
CW measurements
Model calibration exercise

Commercial-in-Confidence
Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Session Aims
This session answers the following questions:
! What are the characteristics of a UMTS radio frequency?
! What is a propagation model?
! What are the main types of propagation model available?
! What map data is required for a propagation model?
! How do I calibrate a propagation model?

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 Propagation Modeling for UMTS

3rd Generation Spectrum Allocations

1885 1980 2010 2025 2110 2170 2200
ITU IMT-2000 IMT-2000
IMT-2000
MSS MSS
(WARC-92) Land Mobile Land Mobile Land Mobile

1880 1900 1920 1980 20102025 2110 2170 2200

UMTS UMTS UMTS
Europe GSM 1800 DECT
UMTS UMTS UMTS
Unpaired Paired UL SAT Unpaired Paired DL
SAT
1920
IMT-2000 1980 2110 IMT-2000 2170
Japan
Land Mobile UL Land Mobile DL

1920 1980
IMT-2000 2110 IMT-2000 2170
Korea
Land Mobile UL Land Mobile DL

1850 PCS 1910 1930 1990 2110 2200

PCS
USA UL
Reserved
DL

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 2100 2150 2200

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

The UMTS Radio Carrier

5MHz bandwidth.
200kHz Rasterised carriers.
! Centre frequency can be
adjusted in 200kHz steps.
5MHz
Adjacent Channel Performance
! Base Station
"ACLR1 = 45dBm 5MHz
"ALCR2 = 50dBm Power Power 5MHz
level level
! Mobile Power
level
TX
"ALCR1 = 21dBm
Power ALCR1 ALCR2
"ALCR2 = 24dBm
fn fn+1 fn+2

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

UK Spectrum Allocations
D E C A A A A C C B B B D D E E

Hutchison Vodafone Orange

One2One BT Cellnet

0.3MHz 0.3MHz
20MHz 14.6MHz 10MHz 14.8MHz 10MHz 10MHz

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

What is a propagation model?

A mathematical model used by computer planning tools to
predict coverage from a radio transmitter.
! Typical inputs
" 3D terrain data
" Land use data (Clutter)
" Building outlines
" Building heights

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS
Model Types (1)
Empirical (Statistical)
Well understood. 2G standard.
Lower computational overhead.
Wide variety available.
Less accurate in small urban
cells.
Subjective clutter classification.
Only accurate in environment
where measurements were
taken.
Deterministic (Ray tracing)
Few proven models available
Higher computational overhead
More map data required
More suited to small urban sites
Higher accuracy
Higher resolution
Street Canyon
More map data required
More suited to microcells
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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Model Types (2)

In practice, few planning tools use a single mode of model and most
are a hybrid of these methods.
Macrocell models are normally based on statistical techniques.
A large variety of Microcell models have been proposed.

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Statistical Models
Carrier wave measurements are
made from test transmitters.
The measurements are plotted
vs. log(distance).
A straight line is fitted through
the data.
A basic y=mx +c formula can be
used to estimate path loss.
The formula can be modified to
account for other factors eg. Tx
height, Rx height & terrain Plot of measurements vs. log(distance)
effects.

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Deterministic Models
The planning tool traces rays
from each site through an
accurate 3D representation of
an urban area.
Typically a major component of
the calculated path loss is free
space loss.
The effect of reflections
diffraction and absorption due to
buildings can be incorporated
into the model.
Reflected ray
Diffracted ray

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Popular Macrocell Models

Okumura - Hata
! Industry standard.
! Not well suited for ranges under 1km.
! Upper frequency limit 2GHz.
Wavecall
! Not so well accepted.
! Fully deterministic no calibration required.
! Suitable for urban macro and microcells.
! Available for many common planning systems.

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Popular Microcell Models

Prediction Model Method Used Parameters 2D 3D Over Roof-top Required Data Results
University of Lund Dual Slope 2D Building Path Loss
Empirical Layout
University of Karlsruhe Ray Launching Reflected + 2D Building Path Loss + CIR
Penetrated Rays Layout
9 Reflections + 2D Building
CNET Ray Tracing Ground + Street Layout Path Loss
Diffraction
Swiss Telecom Ray Tracing Reflection + 2D Building Path Loss + CIR
Diffraction Layout
Ericsson Mathematical Walfisch 2D Building Path Loss
Ikegami Method Layout
Telecom Street Canyon Walfisch Bertoni 2D Building Path Loss
Method Layout
Walfisch Ikegami Semi -Empirical Walfisch 2D Building Path Loss
Ikegami Method Classes
Scattering + Walfisch Bertoni 2D Building Path Loss
University of Valencia Ray Tracing Diffraction Method Layout +
Building Height
CNET Ray Launching Reflection + 3D Building Path Loss + CIR
Diffraction Layout
Reflection from 2D Building
ASCOM ETH Ray Tracing Wall and Street Layout + Path Loss + CIR
Building Height
6 Reflections + 2 2D Building
University of Stuttgard Ray Launching Diffractions Layout + Path Loss + CIR
Building Height
The Most 2D Building
University of Karlsruhe Ray Tracing Dominant Rays Layout + Path Loss + CIR
are Considered Building Height

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Map data requirements (1)

The minimum requirements for
map data are:
! Height
! Clutter
Some propagation models also
require building information:
! Building vectors
! Building rasters

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Map data requirements (2)

The resolution of map data will depend on several things.
! Budget
" You can pay as much as you like for map data.
" Better data requires deeper pockets.
! Area type
" Urban areas warrant higher resolution data (1 - 50 m).
" Rural areas warrant lower resolution data (50 - 200 m).
! Model type
" Microcell models require better data than Macrocell models.
" Macrocell models typically use 20 - 200 m.
" Microcell models typically require 1 - 20 m.

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

Carrier Wave (CW) Measurements

GPS
CW measurements are
accurate radio measurements
used to calibrate propagation
models.
A number of temporary test
sites are used for the test
transmissions.
Signal strength measurements
and GPS fixes are made along
predefined routes.
These measurements must be
averaged before they can be
used for model calibration.

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

CW Test Sites
A typical network would require 3 different propagation models eg.
! Urban
! Suburban
! Rural
Each model would require measurements from 10 - 15 test sites for
calibration.
The test sites used for propagation modeling should:
! Be representative of typical cellular sites.
! Should be free of obstructions.

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

CW Test Routes
CW test routes must be planned carefully.
Routes must avoid:
! Elevated sections of road.
! Cuttings.
! Tunnels.
! Bridges.
Sufficient measurements must be made in each clutter type for the
model to be valid.
Typically the distances driven for each site would be in the order of
! 80km per urban test site.
! 160km per rural test site.

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Propagation Modeling for UMTS

CW Measurement Equipment
Measurements should be distance based.
! Measurements should be taken no closer than 0.38.
Equipment can be:
! Distance triggered.
! Time triggered.
GPS outputs position every 1 second.
! Position interpolation is required for each measurement.
Test mobile measurements are NOT suitable.

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