Convex Space Building Discretization for Ray-Tracing

This paper describes a point-to-multipoint 3-D convex space-based ray-tracing technique. This visibility list is calculated and stored and can be reused as needed. What distinguishes our method is that the visibility list is transmitter location-independent, is a 3-D implementation, and is highly computationally efficient. The division of the building into free and filled convex spaces leads to an efficient Method of Images reflection and diffraction path generation algorithm. This technique can be used to optimize the locations of base transceivers in a highly efficient manner. The first step in producing this tool is the generation of efficient ray-tracing algorithms. The ray-tracing algorithm was specifically designed for later incorporation into a transmitter optimization algorithm. This requires a fast ray-tracing method because of its computationally intensive needs-running multiple times over a point-to-multipoint grid. Our algorithm is executed for sample building environments and then for a real building and compared with measurements to confirm its validity. It is clear that the results are in good agreement but do indicate that a highly accurate spatial modeling of the building is required.