Improved Propagation Models for LTE Path Loss Prediction in Ghana
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Date
2019-11
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KNUST
Abstract
Long Term Evolution (LTE) Networks offer significant advancement compared with third generation (3G) Networks in the areas of capacity, latency, network complexity and quality
of service. To maximize these benefits of LTE cellular networks, careful and proper planning
is needed. This requires the use of accurate propagation models to quantify the path loss
required for base station (BS) deployment. However deployed LTE networks in Ghana
mostly do not offer the desired 100Mbps throughput leading to customer dissatisfaction. This
stems from the fact that Network operators rely on transmission planning tools designed for
generalized environments, having no detailed knowledge of the Ghanaian environment.
These transmission planning tools come with already embedded propagation models for path
loss prediction suited to other environments. A challenge therefore to Ghanaian Network
operators at the planning stage will be choosing a propagation model that best suits the
Ghanaian environment for accurate path loss prediction. Therefore an accurate and precise
propagation model reflecting the Ghanaian environment is needed. In view of this, this study
considers extensive LTE path loss measurements at 800MHz and 2600MHz taken in selected
urban(Adum, Sunyani, Techiman) and suburban(Agogo, Afrancho, New Dorma, Berekum)
environments in Ghana. The measured path loss is compared with the corresponding results
obtained from six(6) commonly used propagation models: Stanford University Interim model
(SUI), Electronic Communication Committee model (ECC-33), Hata model, COST 231
model, Free space path loss model , and the Ericson model. The commonly used industry
standard propagation models that best fit measurement data in these Ghanaian environments
were then selected. The measured results show that the Ericson model predicts best in urban
areas at 800MHz, the SUI model predicts best rather in suburban areas at 800MHz and the
ECC 33 model best predicts path loss in urban and suburban areas at 2.6GHz.These models
were modified and developed to predict more accurately the path loss in these environments.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Telecommunication Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award degree of,MPhil. Telecommunication Engineering