Achievable accuracy of site-specific path-loss predictions in residential environments

The design of future wireless communication systems employing microcells wi ll require a flexible tool for determining the dependence of the coverage a rea on base-station antenna height and position. In this paper, the accurac y of a ray-based algorithm versus slope intercept models for propagation pr ediction in residential environments is investigated by comparison with mea surements. The measurements were taken in two areas of Trenton, NJ, where b uilding heights ranged from one to three stories. For base-station antennas at or above rooftop levels, the algorithm is shown to give good agreement with the measurements. For these high antennas, the average and standard de viations of the difference between the site-specific prediction and measure ment are less than 1 and 5 dB, respectively, For base-station antennas belo w the rooftops, additional ray paths are required in order to achieve simil ar prediction accuracy.