Accurate path-loss estimation for wireless cellular networks

Abstract

In addition to its rule in achieving acceptable system performance, accurate path-loss estimation leads to realize a simple and precise estimation of cellular networks financial feasibility. In other words, in cellular networks, while accurate path-loss estimation helps to achieve a reasonable cost, inaccurate path-loss estimation could either lead to reduce the cost but degrade the performance, or improve the performance but increase the cost. Thus accurate path loss estimation becomes a very crucial and desirable goal. To this end, different models were introduced in the literature for achieving the aforementioned goal; however, each model sought to be a valid choice in a specific environment. Therefore, our main objective in this paper was to provide an insight to the cellular network designers to simplify the decision-making process. A number of widely used path-loss estimation models that work in different environments, such as Free-space model, Two-ray model, Okumura/Hata model, COST 231 model, and Indoor model were reviewed and analyzed. This significantly would assist any cellular network designer to select an appropriate model according to its working environment, and thus realize the desirable accurate path-loss estimation. Matlab was used to perform this analysis. The analysis drove us to enter into implicit comparisons between the aforementioned models. Going through these comparisons, it is concluded that although an increase in the level of complexity is encountered when using models with large number of correction factors, more accurate path-loss estimation can be achieved.