Experiment-2

Analysis of power received w.r.t distance for different path loss

exponents
Aim: Analyze the power received at the receiver w.r.t to the distance for different path loss
exponents.
Software used: Matlab
Objective of the experiment:
To understand large scale fading environment and attenuation of the signal strength for
different path-loss exponent w.r.t. distance.
Theory:
Path loss normally includes propagation losses caused by the natural expansion of the radio
wave front in free space (which usually takes the shape of an ever-increasing sphere), absorption
losses (sometimes called penetration losses), when the signal passes through media not transparent to
electromagnetic waves, diffraction losses when part of the radio wave front is obstructed by an
opaque obstacle, and losses caused by other phenomena.
The signal radiated by a transmitter may also travel along many and different paths to a
receiver simultaneously; this effect is called multipath. Multipath can either increase or decrease
received signal strength, depending on whether the individual multipath wave fronts interfere
constructively or destructively. The total power of interfering waves in a Rayleigh fading scenario
vary quickly as a function of space (which is known as small scale fading), resulting in fast fades
which are very sensitive to receiver position
In the study of wireless communications, path loss can be represented by the path loss
exponent, whose value is normally in the range of 2 to 4 (where 2 is for propagation in free space, 4
is for relatively lossy environments and for the case of full reflection from the earth surfacethe socalled flat-earth model). In some environments, such as buildings, stadiums and other indoor
environments, the path loss exponent can reach values in the range of 4 to 6. On the other hand, a
tunnel may act as a waveguide, resulting in a path loss exponent less than 2.

As a result of this it is found that the signal decreases in a way that is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance from the source of the radio signal.

Free space path loss formula

The free space path loss formula or free space path loss equation is quite simple to use.
Not only is the path loss proportional to the square of the distance between the transmitter and
receiver, but the signal level is also proportional to the square of the frequency in use.
FSPL = (4d/ ) 2 = (4df/ c) 2

FSPL is the Free space path loss

d is the distance of the receiver from the transmitter (metres)
is the signal wavelength (metres)
f is the signal frequency (Hertz)
c is the speed of light in a vacuum (metres per second)

Decibel version of free space path loss equation

Most RF comparisons and measurements are performed in decibels. This gives an easy
and consistent method to compare the signal levels present at various points. Accordingly it is
very convenient to express the free space path loss formula, FSPL, in terms of decibels..
FSPL (dB) = 20 log10 (d) + 20 log10 (f) + 32.44
Where: d is the distance of the receiver from the transmitter (km) f is the signal frequency (MHz)
Power Received:
[Pr] = [pt] + [Gt] + [Gr] [FSPL]
Pr Received power Pt Transmitted power
Gt Gain of the transmitting antenna
Gr Gain of the receiving antenna
Algorithm:

Matlab code:

%LARGE SCALE PATH LOSS

clear all;
close all;
clc;
d = 1000:1000:30000;
Pt=2;

%Transmited Power

for n=1.5:0.5:3
Pr=Pt*(1./(d.^n));%formula for received power
Prdb = 10.*log(Pr);%coverting to db scale
ptdb=10.*log(Pt);%coverting to db scale
pldb= ptdb-Prdb;
figure(1);
plot(d,Prdb);%plot for received power vs distance
hold all;
grid on;
legend('n=1.5','n=2.0','n=2.5','n=3')
title('Received power for Different pathloss exponents');
xlabel('Kilometers');
ylabel('Received Power (dB)');
figure(2);
plot(d,pldb);%plot for patlloss vs distance
hold all;
grid on;
legend('n=1.5','n=2.0','n=2.5','n=3')
title('Pathloss analysis for Different pathloss exponents');
xlabel('Kilometers');
ylabel('Pathloss (dB)');
end

Plots:

Result: