Hi Planning Experts,
I have a question about what is the difference among Propagation Models…
Why are there multiple models?
Models like:
Propagation models are mathematical models used to predict the behavior of radio waves as they propagate through the environment.
These models take into account various factors such as distance, frequency, terrain, building structures, and other obstructions to estimate signal strength, path loss, and coverage areas.
The reason there are multiple propagation models is that each model is designed to be applicable in specific scenarios or environments. Here’s a brief explanation of some commonly used propagation models:
Okumura-Hata Model: This model is widely used for urban environments and provides a basic estimation of signal propagation based on distance, frequency, and building characteristics. It takes into account path loss, shadowing, and penetration loss.
Standard Propagation Model: This is a generic model used for general propagation analysis. It considers the effects of free space loss, ground reflection, and diffraction.
Anderson 2D v1.00: This model is primarily used for indoor environments and takes into account factors such as wall materials, room dimensions, and antenna characteristics.
Cost 231 Hata: This model is an extension of the original Hata model and is commonly used for suburban and rural areas. It incorporates additional factors such as the height of base station and mobile antenna, frequency, and terrain type.
CW (Cross Wave) Model: This model is used specifically for predicting radio wave propagation over water surfaces, such as lakes or oceans.
Free Space + RMD: This model combines the free space model (idealized propagation in vacuum) with a radio propagation model that considers the impact of obstructions and reflections. It is useful for predicting signal coverage in environments with varying obstacles.
The choice of propagation model depends on the specific characteristics of the scenario under consideration.
Factors such as the type of environment (urban, suburban, rural, indoor), frequency of operation, terrain, building materials, and desired accuracy of prediction play a role in selecting the appropriate model.
Different models may have been developed to cater to these different scenarios and provide accurate predictions for specific use cases.
It’s worth noting that propagation models are not perfect and can have limitations. The accuracy of the predictions depends on the assumptions and parameters used in each model, as well as the complexity of the environment being modeled.
Therefore, it’s often necessary to validate the predictions of a chosen model with real-world measurements or site-specific data for more accurate results.
The main difference is the Frequency model they are based on.