Very near ground RF propagation measurements for wireless systems

Using a forward control channel of two different base stations as the signal source, we measure the effects associated with placing a cellular/PCS handheld transceiver very near the ground. A significant decrease in signal strength occurs when a system user drops from a standing to a lying position. As much as a 10.9 dB decrease in signal strength can result. This effect occurs with either a weak or strong specular signal component. Additionally, when a strong specular signal component, the shadowing caused by the system user's head is small compared to the variations caused by antenna elevation.