Free space Propagation Model

EM signals when traveling through wireless

channels experience fading effects due to
various effects.
But in some cases the transmission is with a
direct line of sight communication.
Ex : Satellite Communication
 The free space propagation model is used to
predict received signal strength when the
transmitter and receiver have a clear line of
sight path between them.

Ex : satellite Communication
The free space model predicts that received
power decays as a function of T-R separation
distance.

The transmitting and receiving antenna are

separated by a distance d.
The free space power received by a receiver
antenna is given by Friis free space equation,

PtGtGr
2
Pr (d )
(4 ) d L
2 2
 Pt : Transmitted power
Pr : Received power
Gt : Transmitter gain
Gr: Receiver gain
d: Distance of T-R separation
L: System loss factor L1
: Wavelength in meter
Friis free space equation shows that the
received power decreases as the square of the
T-R separation distance.
 Propagation Models (Contd.)

Path Loss difference (in dB) between the

effective transmitted power and the received
power, and may or may not include the effect
of the antenna gains

Path loss for the free space model when

antenna gains included
PL(dB) = 10 log(Pt/Pr)
= -10 log(Gt Gr 2 / (4)2 d2 L)

Path loss for the free space model when

antenna gains excluded
PL(dB) = 10 log(Pt/Pr)
= -10 log(2 / (4)2 d2 L)
8
 The path loss, representing the attenuation
suffered by the signal as it travels through the
wireless channel.

Path loss is defined as the difference between

transmitted power and the received power.
 The far field of a transmitting antenna is
defined as the region beyond the far field
distance of which is usually related to the
largest linear dimensions of the transmitter
antenna aperture and the carrier wavelength.
the fronhofer

2
2D
df

 D- largest physical linear dimensions of the
antenna.

Fris free space propagation is valid for far

field.
Far field region must satisfy
d f D
d f
 The received power Pr (d ) at any distance d>d o
may be related to Pr at d and is given by
o

Pr (d ) Pr (d o ).(d o / d ) 2
d do d f

Because of large dynamic range of received

power level, dBm and dBw units are used the
received power in dBm is given by
 Pr (d) dBm = 10 log (Pr (d o ) /0.001w)
+20 log (d o / d )

Where (d o ) =
{ 1m for indoor environment
100m to 1km,outdoor environment }