Fast computer tool for the analysis of propagation in urban cells

FASPRO is an accurate and extremely efficient tool that is used to perform deterministic analyses of propagation in urban picocells and microcells. A fully 3D propagation model is considered. The topographical input data are based on a 3D plane-facets model of the urban environment which is given in terms of DXF files. FASPRO is able to read DXF files from AUTOCAD, Microsystem, CADDS and other CAGD and topographical tools. In addition, FASPRO has its own facility which allows it to create new urban scenes. FASPRO visualizes the geometry on the screen as a 2D map of the urban scene or a 3D isoparametric view. The electromagnetic analysis is performed using UTD techniques. First order coupling mechanisms (direct reflected and edge-diffracted rays), second order coupling mechanisms (double reflected diffracted-reflected, diffracted-reflected, double diffracted, etc.) and third order mechanisms (e.g. reflected-diffracted-reflected, etc.) are included. It must be noted that, thanks to the incorporation of diffraction in all the edges of the 3D model, coverage in areas in the deep shadow of the transmitter antenna can be predicted well. A new ray-tracing algorithm is used to speed-up the computations. This ray-tracing algorithm is based on a modification of the Z-Buffer and the "Bounding Volumes" schemes, in which the elements are arranged in an angular map (AZB, Angular Z-Buffer).