Grade of service signal density enhancement: modeling in-building penetration loss in various morphologies

Core RF Engineering at Sprint has completed a study to assess current design criteria assumptions for PCS wireless networks and how they relate to in-building-coverage. This analysis focused on the actual signal density levels required on the outside of most buildings to penetrate and provide adequate service within the buildings. Core RF modeled external and internal wall structures and pertaining signal attenuation for residential and office buildings to enable calculation of total penetration losses. Theoretical and some field studies were analyzed. For the shorter term, this is the best estimate of the penetration loss problem. Verification by. conducting extensive in-building penetration loss measurements should be a longer term goal. Overall, our analysis shows that the level of capital investment of a PCS telecommunication carrier dictates the grade of service (GoS) that customers experience in-building throughout the network.