Statistical analysis method of radio propagation path loss for gas-smart meters in a built-up area based on large-scale FDTD simulation

This paper presents a large-scale Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulation as a prediction method for radio propagation characteristics for multi-hop communication of gas-smart meters in a built-up area. The frequency bands used in the simulations is 920 MHz-bands. By using the FDTD method to obtain precise and comprehensive results in multi-reflective environment, wave propagation from the gas-smart meters are observed and path loss characteristics are estimated statistically. Obtained larger path loss for the gas-smart meter in the built-up area compared with other propagation model, such as cellular communication, was more noticeable, and it is important for these effects need to be considered in the wireless link planning.