Large-scale Signal Attenuation and Shadow Fading Measurement and Modelling for Efficient Wireless Network Design and Management

Shadow fading and distance-dependent large-scale signal attenuation influence several service quality indicators in cellular networks. Thus, knowledge of such propagated signal phenomena and their statistical modelling is pivotal to designing and managing the coverage and capacity of wireless communication systems for quality reception. This work investigates measurement-based modelling and statistical estimation of signal fading characteristics with respect to mean signal attenuation loss and shadowing over Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks in built-up residential environments. The measured data were acquired with Test Mobile System tools, and the Log-distance based model was proposed. Results show that signal attenuation in the area ranged from 2.35 to 3.98 dB. The man-made and natural environmental obstructions induced additional average shadow fading signal losses between 11.6 and 14.3 dB across the tested eNodeB cell sites. The projected model would help estimate signal attenuation and shadow losses in related environments.