Rural Path Loss Measurements and Models for a Fixed Wireless Access TD-LTE Network at 3.7 GHz

This paper examines the validity and applicability of different path loss models, based on an extensive measurement campaign in a rural environment at 3.7 GHz (3GPP band 43) for line-of-sight (LOS) conditions. The measurements were carried out using a commercial fixed wireless access (FWA) network operating with Time-Division Long Term Evolution (TD-LTE) configuration. From the path loss analysis, not all of the examined models are appropriate to describe accurately the expected losses. The close-in, WINNER II, and 3GPP/ITU-R models present the best performance. On the other hand, the Extended Hata model is not accurate for the specific area since it over-predicts path loss. Finally, from the statistical analysis the shadow fading is approximated by the Lognormal distribution with zero mean and a standard deviation of 5.8 dB. An almost excellent fit is achieved regardless of the dissimilar propagation conditions in the specific area.