A cost-effective PCS deployment methodology

RF propagation in multipath environment is random, requiring sophisticated computer aided prediction tools. As a result, traditional methods of RF deployment for low power/low antenna height sites are generally expensive. In an effort to alleviate this problem, this paper presents a simpler and cost-effective deployment method for PCS. The salient concept of the proposed method is to maintain cell radii within the fresnel zone break point. In this region, the path loss slope generally remains constant irrespective of the propagation medium. This analogy is then used to develop a three-ray model for indoor PCS; a two-ray model is then derived for outdoor PCS. Empirical formulae are presented for cell radii and the associated link budget parameters. The proposed method is appropriate for low power PCS and microcellular services, offering a greatly simplified and cost-effective deployment process.