Propagation Path Loss Models for 5G Urban Micro- and Macro-Cellular Scenarios

TL;DR

This paper compares two large-scale propagation path loss models, ABG and CI, for 5G urban micro- and macro-cellular scenarios, highlighting the simplicity and stability of the CI model across diverse conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified CI model that matches the ABG model's fit while offering greater stability, simplicity, and ease of implementation for 5G system design.

Findings

The CI model has similar shadow fading standard deviation as the ABG model.

The CI model is more stable and simpler across frequencies and distances.

Replacing a constant in the 3GPP model with a close-in reference improves accuracy.

Abstract

This paper presents and compares two candidate large-scale propagation path loss models, the alpha-beta-gamma (ABG) model and the close-in (CI) free space reference distance model, for the design of fifth generation (5G) wireless communication systems in urban micro- and macro-cellular scenarios. Comparisons are made using the data obtained from 20 propagation measurement campaigns or ray-tracing studies from 2 GHz to 73.5 GHz over distances ranging from 5 m to 1429 m. The results show that the one-parameter CI model has a very similar goodness of fit (i.e., the shadow fading standard deviation) in both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight environments, while offering substantial simplicity and more stable behavior across frequencies and distances, as compared to the three-parameter ABG model. Additionally, the CI model needs only one very subtle and simple modification to the existing 3GPP floating-intercept path loss model (replacing a constant with a close-in free space reference value) in order to provide greater simulation accuracy, more simplicity, better repeatability across experiments, and higher stability across a vast range of frequencies.