Microwave propagation predictions on radio coverage of UMTS

Abstract

The success story of GSM system is very well known throughout the world. The reason for its success is due to its ability to give services to its users anywhere and anytime. In fact, GSM basically gives speech services. Now, GSM operators also want to give data services by taking advantage of their existing network infrastructure. Although there are many ongoing studies over GSM in order to improve data service capabilities, none of them can lead GSM to GSM operators' data rate goals. Now, GSM operators are completely changing the air interface of the GSM, while still keeping the rest of the network. Instead of GSM TDMA air interface, WCDMA air interface technology is being used. Changing the air interface technology means changing the type and the number of base stations. Operators try to find the optimum positions and the optimum numbers for their new base stations. This study deals with microwave propagation models. These are used to find the number of needed base stations to provide the coverage requirements for the networks in WCDMA networks. They also help to determine where the cell sites should be located to achieve an optimum position in the network. This study concentrates on comparative parametric analysis for propagation path loss prediction models considering the macrocell region. It uses three different models. Model prediction results were compared with the real measurements obtained from a UMTS based network for city Istanbul. The study concludes which of the models is best suited for Istanbul.