Comparative evaluation of propagation prediction models for mobile communications applied to the city of Natal and Metropolitan Region

Abstract

The growth in demand for wireless communications has led researchers to devise new solutions and techniques aimed at increasing the capacity of networks and improving the quality of mobile communications services. The use of smaller and smaller cells, the use of progressively higher frequencies, and more complex propagation environments demand more accurate modeling and prediction techniques are part of this context. The prediction of coverage in a cellular system, especially in urban areas, is one of the most relevant aspects for mobile network operators. This work aims to present a comparative analysis of the application of several models in cross-section with the results of a campaign of propagation measurements in the city of Natal and the metropolitan region. Supported by the infrastructure of a mobile laboratory, the measurements were carried out in three areas with different characteristics of buildings, relief, afforestation, and heights of diversified towers, covering the central area of the city, a suburban area, and a coastal stretch bordered by dunes. The measurement campaign was made in the 800 MHz bands, using as a reference the control channel of the existing sites in the evaluated areas. The results obtained for attenuations were compared with the values calculated from the prediction models employed. The campaign of measurements proved the occurrence of a greater attenuation and more accentuated characteristics of oscillations of the power received in the central area of the city, evidencing the influence of the greater density of obstacles, variation of the condition of visibility point-to-point, greater traffic of vehicles and people and differences in the characteristics of afforestation and buildings in the streets of the region.