800-MHz attenuation measured in and around suburban houses

The signal levels around and within eight suburban houses were measured at 800 MHz. These measurements are needed in refining the requirements for portable-radio communication systems that can accommodate low-power radiotelephone sets. The measurements were made from an instrumentation van having an erectable 27-foot-high antenna. Large-scale distributions of the small-scale signal medians are approximately log normal. The decrease in median signal level with distance ranges from d
⁻³
to d
^−6.2
for the eight houses. Signal decreases as d
^−4.5
for the overall data set. At 1000 feet, regressions to signal levels range from 12.5 to 37.1 dB below free-space propagation levels for locations outside and locations inside on first and second floors. In basements, regression levels at 1000 feet range from 29 to 48.2 dB below free space. For the overall data set, regression signal levels at 1000 feet are 27.7 dB below free space. For all the basements, this value is 39.6 dB. Other signal statistics are given in this paper.