Simulation of mobile fading channels

Many aspects of a mobile radio system are basically determined by the propagation characteristics of the channel. Therefore, an understanding and good knowledge of mobile radio channels is essential for the analysis, design, and operation of wireless systems. It allows the successful development, evaluation, and testing of any current or future communication system, whether it is for cellular mobile telephony, for radio paging, or for mobile satellite systems. This article tries to present a simple and efficient way to simulate mobile channels for development and testing of mobile wireless systems, using some of the commercial circuit-analysis and simulation programs. So, in parallel with an overview of fading-channel propagation mechanisms and aspects, compact simulation models are given that can effectively be used for further analysis and understanding of the operation of mobile fading channels.