A comparison between theoretical propagation models and measurement data to distinguish urban, suburban and open areas in Jodo Pessoa, Brazil

The theoretical propagation models founded in literature are compared with measured data with the goal of characterizing areas in Joao Pessoa, Brazil. The complex behavior of the fading and multipath phenomena in mobile communication systems are generally simplified by mathematical models. The restrictions and simplifications over the probabilistic behavior of the signal impose limitations to the prediction models. In order to increase their analysis limitations, an accurate measurement procedure is done to detail the environment characteristics. This paper presents the accomplishment of measurement data using Agilent Technologies' E7474A Drive Test System in three specific areas of Joao Pessoa city (Brazil) and vicinity. The measured results compared with theoretical ones obtained from prediction models show us the best way to classify the above regions as urban, suburban or open areas.