Radio propagation measurements at microwave frequencies for microcellular mobile and personal communications

The design and results of a propagation experiment at 900 MHz and 11 GHz to characterize microcell channels at two distinct frequencies in various environments, from rural to dense urban, are presented. The measurements were made by transmitting a continuous-wave (CW) signal from a mobile source to a fixed base and recording the signal envelope variations as a function of mobile location. The results show the propagation in rural areas is dominated by interference between the direct ray and a specular roadway-reflected ray. In urban areas, the addition of two specular wall-reflected rays adequately represents microcell propagation. Using this simple model, the received signal power as a function of vehicle position in a microcell environment can be accurately predicted