Modeling urban peer-to-peer channel characteristics for the 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz public safety bands

We report on models developed for peer-to-peer (ground-based) wireless channels for an urban environment in the 700 MHz and 4.9 GHz bands, both allocated for public safety and “emergency responder” applications. Results are based upon measurements taken in downtown Denver, CO for link distances up to approximately 100 m. Heretofore, measurement-based models for an urban environment in these bands and for low antenna heights have not been developed. Our measurements employed a vector network analyzer, from which log-distance models for path loss and dispersive channel models have been extracted. Our dispersive channel models employ a statistical algorithm for the number of multipath components, previously used only in indoor settings. The channel models should be useful for public safety communication system designers.