CW Propagation Survey and

Propagation Model Tuning

Survey data
(CW drive Calculate:
test) )data) - mean error for all data (all clutters)
- mean error for a particular clutter
- standard deviation of error (  )
Difference between survey and
predicted data is prediction error:
(Prediction error = survey data -
predicted data)
If mean error values = 0 and Model tuning is
 error is set to minimum completed

Predicted data Yes

No
(for the survey route)
- Adjust propagation model parameters -
Run propagation prediction for survey route

Terrain data
Propagation Model
Antenna pattern

Input data:

- Coordinates of the base station

- Effective radiated power ( ERP )
- Base station antenna height
- Antenna type and orientation
- Coordinates of the survey route

Figure – 1. Propagation Model Tuning

(1.0) Introduction

A block diagram of a propagation prediction model tuning method is shown in Fig.–1.

Generally, the propagation model tuning function is available as a standard option of almost
every planning tool. Some planning tools support the interactive (manual) propagation model
tuning method, as well as, the automatic method.

The purpose of propagation model tuning is to verify and improve the accuracy of the
propagation prediction model. It can be achieved by comparing the survey (measured) data
with the predicted data. Optimising the propagation model parameters will result in the
minimum Mean and Standard Deviation between measured and calculated path loss. A well-
tuned model should aim to have a standard deviation error of 7 dB. However, we will aim to
achieve standard deviation error of 6dB, as specified in the RFQ.

(2.0) Drive test data collecting, processing, analysing and editing

In the process of drive test data preparation for propagation model tuning, the following steps
will be considered:

(2.1) Drive test route planning:

CW Drive test data will be collected in all areas surrounding the base station. Distances from
base station can be in the range from 200m to 8-9 km at 900 MHz and from 200m to 6-7 km
at 1800 MHz.
(2.2) Drive test data averaging:

CW Drive test data will be averaged in two steps as follows:

(i) Averaging to remove multi path component (fast fading):

(ii) Averaging to smooth out variations due to shadowing (slow fading):

(2.3) Drive test data analysing and editing

CW Drive test data will be analysed and edited to remove unrepresentative points. It is
advisable to remove anomalous points, that is, points for which predictions can’t be expected
to be accurate, such as measurements made in tunnels, on bridges or elevated roadways
(assuming the roadway elevation is not presented in terrain data).

(3.0) Terrain data

The resolution of terrain data for macro cell planning should be as follows:

(i) Urban area ( 30 to 100 m)

(ii) Rural area ( 30 to 200 m)

If the terrain data with higher resolution is used the propagation model accuracy will be
improved. Proper clutter type definition and assignment (classification of land usage) have a
significant effect on the propagation model accuracy. The terrain data should contain at least
following clutter types: Dense Urban, Woodland, Urban, Suburban, Industrial, Open in Urban,
Open and Water.

(4.0) Input data

Before tuning a propagation model following input data will be required:

 Location of the base station

 Effective radiated power
 Antenna type
 Base station antenna height
 Antenna pattern (characteristics)
(5.0) The determination of the propagation model parameters

The determination of the propagation model parameters (coefficients) is the final step in the
propagation model tuning process. The general model will be used for describing this phase.

(5.1) The General Model

The general Model is most likely to produce optimum performance as it can be fully tuned to
suit the propagation environment. The basic equation is given below:

PRX= PTX + K1 + K2 log (d) + K3 log (Heff) + K4 Diffraction + K5 log (Heff) log (d) +
K6 (Hmeff) + Kclutter + AntGain.

where each of the factors is described below:

PRX - Received power in dBm

PTX - Transmitted power ( ERP ) in dBm
K1 - Constant ofset in dB
K2 - Multiplying factor for log (d)
K3 - Multiplying factor for log (Heff) - compensates for gain due to antenna height.
K4 - Positive multiplying factor for diffraction calculation
K5 - Okumura–Hata type of multiplying factor for log (Heff) log (d)
K6 - Correction factor for the mobile effective antenna height gain (H meff)
d - Distance, in metres, of receiver from base site
Heff - Effective height of base site antenna from ground
Diffraction - Value calculated for loss due to diffraction over an obstructed path. The
value produced is a negative number so a positive multiplication factor, K 4 is
required
Kclutter - Gain in dB for clutter type at mobile position.
AntGain – The antenna gain
Hmeff - The mobile effective antenna height

The parameters K1 through to K6 and Kclutter values can be tuned according to loaded survey
data to reduce the error. The tuning of the propagation model therefore involves the
determination of the different parameters values, so that the standard deviation error is set to
its lowest value and mean error value=0.

Note: Sometimes it is not possible to get the mean error for a particular clutter factor to zero
because this may produce higher than expected values for other clutter factors. For example,
it is possible to get situations where the clutter value for urban is higher than that for dense
urban, which is definitely not acceptable. A reasonable ordering of the different clutter factors
should be always maintained.

The table below indicates example default clutter values:

Clutter type Clutter Value [dB]

Dense Urban -4 to –5
Woodland -2 to –3
Urban 0
Suburban 3 to 5
Industrial 3 to 5
Open in Urban 4 to 6
Open 10 to 12
Water 12 to 14
(5.2) Steps for the propagation model tuning:

1. Set the initial values:

K1 = -20 K2 = -44.9 K3 = -5.83
K4 = 0.5 K5 = 6.55 K6 = 0
Kclutter = 0
(For 900MHz systems)

2. Adjust K1 and Kclutter so that :

-mean error value for all data (all clutters) = 0
-mean error values for every particular clutter = 0 *

3. Keep all the above values the same and change only
K2 until the lowest standard deviation error is obtained.

4. Keep all the above values the same and change only
K4 until the lowest standard deviation error is obtained

5. Repeat step 3. but this time change K2 using smaller steps.

6. Repeat step 4. but this time change K4 using smaller steps.

7. Keep all the above values the same and change only
K3 until the lowest standard deviation error is obtained.

8. Repeat steps 2-5 until any change in the values of K2, K3

and K4 will increase the low standard deviation error.

9. Keep all the above values the same and change only
K5 until the lowest standard deviation error is obtained.

10. Repeat steps 2-7 until any change in the values of K2, K3 , K4 ,
and K5 will increase the low standard deviation error.

11. Keep all the above values the same and change only
K6 and decide on the final value for the clutter path distance.

The model
tuning is
completed