Calculation of signal attenuation of 5G cellular networks for frequencies of the FR1 band

Authors: Movchan A. K., Rogozhnikov E. V., Dmitriev E. M., Novichkov S. A., Lakontsev D. V.

Annotation: The paper presents a model for the propagation of a radio signal of a fifth-generation cellular communication system, taking into account the unevenness of the terrain. The aim of the study is to assess the signal power level on the receiving side of the fourth and fifth generation cellular communication system when the signal propagates over uneven terrain in the frequency bands FR1 (2.6 GHz), FR1 (4.9 GHz). When estimating the power of the radio signal on the receiving side in the model, the values of the height map of the of Tomsk city, obtained in the course of the SRTM3 program, were used as uneven terrain. The presented radio signal propagation model is the Longley–Rice ITM (Irregular Terrain Model). For this model, the main expressions are given that determine the resulting signal attenuation, as well as expressions that describe the geometry of the propagation path. The article reflects the main factors that determine the propagation of centimeter waves characteristic of the fifth generation cellular communication system, presents the results of modeling the propagation of the fifth 5G and fourth 4G generation cellular signal using the example of various scenarios for the location of a subscriber terminal and a base station in the Tomsk city. The simulation was carried out for two frequency bands FR1 (4.9 GHz) of the 5G network and FR1 (2.6 GHz) of the 4G network. As a result of the simulation, the values of the attenuation of the signal power level during propagation along the given paths were obtained, and also, taking into account the parameters of the transceiver equipment, the values of the signal power on the receiving side were calculated. Based on the data obtained, a comparative assessment of the communication range for 4G and 5G systems was made.

Keywords: 5g, mobile communications, radio propagation, coverage area, millimeter waves, terrain elevation map