A simplified analytical model for predicting path loss in urban and suburban environments

An analytical propagation model has recently been developed to predict radio signal attenuation in urban and suburban environments. This analytical model explicates the path loss as a result of signal reduction due to free space wavefront spreading, multiple diffraction past rows of buildings, and building shadowing. It is applicable for cellular mobile services as well as personal communications services (PCS) in both macro- and microcellular environments. Good accuracy was found for this analytical model by comparing the predictions with numerous measurements made in various propagation environments. However, since the analytical model involves multiple-dimension integration to calculate the signal attenuation due to multiple diffraction past rows of buildings, the model in its original format does not lend itself to easy implementation into a radio system planning tool. A simplified version of the analytical model is developed in this paper, which can be used for three different propagation scenarios with base-station antenna above, below, and near the average rooftop level.