Receiving Power Level Prediction for WiMAX Systems on 3.5 GHz

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) is a new wireless broadband technology based on IEEE 802.16 standard. Its radio interface enables high data transmission rates in the frequency range of 2-11 GHz and 10-66 GHz. The existing empirical models, most often used for path loss prediction, are mostly developed for frequencies below 2 GHz. This paper analyses empirical models suitability for the receiving power prediction in complex urban environments for a WiMAX system working at 3.5 GHz. Predicted values have been compared with values measured in urban and suburban areas as well as in rural surrounding of city Osijek in Croatia. Received power prediction is obtained by four empirical propagation models: SUI C, COST 231-Hata, Macro model and Ericsson model. Analysis is made separately for locations with urban, suburban and rural propagation conditions.