Path loss modelling and comparison based on the radio propagation measurement at 3.5GHz

Wideband IMT-Advanced mobile communication systems tend to operate in the high frequency bands due to a relatively large capacity available. Thus, Measurement and modelling methods of radio propagation characteristics are proposed for the field test of Chinese 4th generation (4G) trial system. The measurement system is established for 3.5GHz based on the sophisticated measurement instruments and the virtual instrument technology. The characteristic parameters of radio propagation such as path loss (PL) exponent and shadow fading standard deviation are extracted from measurement data, which result in the path loss model finally. The comparisons with other existing international models results validate our measurement in terms of path loss model. Based on the analysis of the existing extension model assumed for the microwave frequency at 3.5GHz, we find that the Stanford University Interim (SUI) model fits very well with the measurement result in the hotspot scenario, while the COST 231 model is closer to the measurement result in the suburban scenario. This result provides a measurement-based channel reference for the development of the future IMT-Advanced systems in China.