Path Loss and Link Budget ========================= :author: Harald Welte :copyright: 2017 by Harald Welte (License: CC-BY-SA) :backend: slidy :max-width: 45em [[rf-path-loss]] == Path Loss A fundamental concept in planning any type of radio communications link is the concept of 'Path Loss'. Path Loss describes the amount of signal loss (attenuation) between a receive and a transmitter. As GSM operates in frequency duplex on uplink and downlink, there is correspondingly an 'Uplink Path Loss' from MS to BTS, and a 'Downlink Path Loss' from BTS to MS. Both need to be considered. It is possible to compute the path loss in a theoretical ideal situation, where transmitter and receiver are in empty space, with no surfaces anywhere nearby causing reflections, and with no objects or materials in between them. This is generally called the 'Free Space Path Loss'. [[rf-path-loss]] == Path Loss Estimating the path loss within a given real-world terrain/geography is a hard problem, and there are no easy solutions. It is impacted, among other things, by * the height of the transmitter and receiver antennas * whether there is line-of-sight (LOS) or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) * the geography/terrain in terms of hills, mountains, etc. * the vegetation in terms of attenuation by foliage * any type of construction, and if so, the type of materials used in that construction, the height of the buildings, their distance, etc. * the frequency (band) used. Lower frequencies generally expose better NLOS characteristics than higher frequencies. The above factors determine on the one hand side the actual attenuation of the radio wave between transmitter and receiver. On the other hand, they also determine how many reflections there are on this path, causing so-called 'Multipath Fading' of the signal. == Radio Propagation Models Over decades, many different radio propagation models have been designed by scientists and engineers. They might be based on empirical studies condensed down into relatively simple models, or they might be based on ray-tracing in a 3D model of the terrain. Several companies have developed (expensive, proprietary) simulation software that can help with this process in detail. However, the results of such simulation also depend significantly on the availability of precise 3D models of the geography/terrain as well as the building structure in the coverage area. In absence of such simulation software and/or precise models, there are several models that can help, depending on the general terrain: == Common Path Loss Models [[path-loss-models]] .List of common path loss models [options="header",cols="20%,20%,20%,40%"] |=== |Type|Sub-Type|Bands|Name |Terrain|-|850, 900, 1800, 1900|ITU terrain model |Rural|Foliage|850, 900, 1800, 1900|One woodland terminal model |City|Urban|850, 900|Okumura-Hata Model for Urban Areas |City|Suburban|850, 900|Okumura-Hata Model for Suburban Areas |City|Open|850, 900|Okumura-Hata Model for Open Areas |City|Urban|1800, 1900|COST-231 Hata Model |Indoor|-|900, 1800, 1900|ITU model for indoor attenuation |=== In <> you can see a list of commonly-used path loss models. They are typically quite simple equations which only require certain parameters like the distance of transmitter and receiver as well as the antenna height, etc. No detailed 3D models of the terrain are required. == RF Power in a Wireless Link image::link_budget.png[width="90%"] [[rf-link-budget]] == Link Budget The link budget consists of the total budget of all elements in the telecommunication system between BTS and MS (and vice-versa). This includes * antenna gains on both sides * coaxial cabling between antenna and receiver/transmitter * losses in duplexers, splitters, connectors, etc * gain of any amplifiers (PA, LNA) * path loss of the radio link between the two antennas == Simplified Link Budget Equation The simplified link budget equations looks like this: Rx Power (dBm) = Tx Power (dBm) + Gains (dB) − Losses (dB) Gains is the sum of all gains, including * Gain of the transmitter antenna * Gain of the receiver antenna * Gain of any PA (transmitter) or LNA (receiver) Losses is the sum of all losses, including * Loss of any cabling and/or connectors on either side * Loss of any passive components like duplexers/splitters on either side * Path Loss of the radio link == Link Budget Equation vs. Path Loss * Using the Link Budget equation and resolving it for the path loss will give you an idea of how much path loss on the radio link you can afford while still having a reliable radio link. * Resolving the path loss into a physical distance based on your path loss model will then give you an idea about the coverage area that you can expect. NOTE:: The Rx Power substituted in the Link budget equation is determined by the receiver sensitivity. It is customary to add some some safety margin to cover for fading. == RF Link image::ap_to_client.png[width="90%"] == Uplink Link Budget [graphviz] ---- digraph G { rankdir = LR; MS -> MSAnt -> Path -> BTSAnt -> Cabling -> Duplexer -> Cable -> BTS; MSAnt [label="MS Antenna"]; BTSAnt [label="BTS Antenna"]; } ---- The transmit power of a MS depends on various factors, such as the MS Power Class, the frequency band and the modulation scheme used. [options="header"] .Typical MS transmit power levels |=== |Power Class|Band|Modulation|Power |4|850 / 900|GMSK|33 dBm (2 W) |1|1800 / 1900|GMSK|30 dBm (1 W) |E2|850 / 900|8PSK|27 dBm (0.5 W) |E2|1800 / 1900|8PSK|26 dBm (0.4 W) |=== The minimum reference sensitivity level of a normal GSM BTS is specified in 3GPP TS 05.05 and required to be at least -104 dBm. Most modern BTSs outperform this significantly. FIXME: Example calculation (spreadsheet screenshot?) == Downlink Link Budget [graphviz] ---- digraph G { rankdir = LR; BTS -> Cable -> Duplexer -> Cabling -> BTSAnt -> Path -> MSAnt -> MS; MSAnt [label="MS Antenna"]; BTSAnt [label="BTS Antenna"]; } ---- The transmit power of the BTS depends on your BTS model and any possible external power amplifiers used. The minimum reference sensitivity level of a GSM MS is specified in 3GPP TS 05.05 and can typically be assumed to be about -102 dB. FIXME: Example calculation (spreadsheet screenshot?) == Optimization of the Link Budget If the coverage area determined by the above procedure is insufficient, you can try to change some of the parameters, such as * increasing transmit power by adding a bigger PA * increasing antenna gain by using a higher gain antenna * reducing cable losses by using better / shorter coaxial cables * increasing the height of your antenna include::rf.adoc[] == The End Questions?