Efficient Ray Tracing for Radio Channel Characterization of Urban Scenarios

This paper presents an efficient ray tracing algorithm for the use of the uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) in radio channel characterizations of urban environments. The algorithm is based on a 2-D image theory, which is properly modified to yield 3-D ray trajectories. Multiple reflections and diffractions are considered through the classification of multipath components into four different categories. The adoption of such ray classes eliminates redundant calculations throughout the ray-tracing process, improving the analysis of the electromagnetic propagation over the coverage area.