RF Propagation

Site and terrain visualization, propagation model specification and visualization, path loss, TIREM™, Longley-Rice, outdoor and indoor ray tracing

RF propagation describes the behavior of electromagnetic radiation from a point of transmission as it travels through the surrounding environment. The analysis of RF propagation is essential in understanding how electromagnetic waves incur losses from a transmitter to a receiver in different scenarios. You can use propagation models to calculate the coverage, SINR, signal strength, path loss, and link loss between a transmitter and a receiver in basic, urban, terrain, and multipath environments.

Objects

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Sites

`txsite`	Create RF transmitter site
`rxsite`	Create RF receiver site
`siteviewer`	Create Site Viewer

Propagation Models

`FreeSpace`	Free space propagation model
`Rain`	Rain propagation model
`Gas`	Gas propagation model
`Fog`	Fog propagation model
`CloseIn`	Close-in propagation model
`LongleyRice`	Longley-Rice propagation model
`TIREM`	TIREM propagation model
`RayTracing`	Ray tracing propagation model

Propagation Data

`propagationData`	Create RF propagation data from measurements (Since R2020a)
`comm.Ray`	Create RF propagation ray (Since R2020a)

Functions

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Map Data

`addCustomTerrain`	Add custom terrain data
`removeCustomTerrain`	Remove custom terrain data
`addCustomBasemap`	Add custom basemap
`removeCustomBasemap`	Remove custom basemap

Site

`show`	Show site in Site Viewer
`hide`	Hide site from Site Viewer
`distance`	Distance between sites
`angle`	Angle between sites
`elevation`	Elevation of site
`location`	Coordinates at distance and angle from site

Propagation and Visualization

`coverage`	Display or compute coverage map
`pattern`	Display antenna radiation pattern in Site Viewer
`sinr`	Display or compute signal-to-interference-plus-noise (SINR) ratio
`link`	Display or compute communication link status
`sigstrength`	Received signal strength
`raytrace`	Display or compute RF propagation rays
`los`	Display or compute line-of-sight (LOS) visibility status
`propagationModel`	Create RF propagation model
`pathloss`	Path loss of radio wave propagation

Path Loss

`rainpl`	RF signal attenuation due to rainfall using ITU model
`gaspl`	RF signal attenuation due to atmosphere gaseous absorption
`fogpl`	RF signal attenuation due to fog and clouds
`fspl`	Free space path loss
`tirempl`	Path loss using Terrain Integrated Rough Earth Model (TIREM)
`raypl`	Path loss and phase change for RF propagation ray (Since R2020a)
`buildingMaterialPermittivity`	Permittivity and conductivity of building materials (Since R2020a)
`earthSurfacePermittivity`	Permittivity and conductivity of earth surface materials (Since R2020a)

Topics

RF Propagation and Visualization
Visualize coverage maps, SINR maps, and propagation paths in outdoor and indoor environments.
Choose a Propagation Model
When to use the different propagation models based on frequency, type, and limitations.
Ray Tracing for Wireless Communications
Ray tracing models predict propagation paths and corresponding losses using 3-D environment geometry and electromagnetic analysis.
Customize Buildings for Ray Tracing Analysis
Customize the buildings stored in an OpenStreetMap^® file and then perform ray tracing analysis on a scene created from the buildings. (Since R2023b)
Access Basemaps and Terrain in Site Viewer
Site Viewer displays data over basemaps and terrain. Download some of these basemaps or add custom basemaps and terrain.
Troubleshooting Site Viewer
Troubleshoot internet connection failures and graphics environment errors.
Access TIREM Software
TIREM information and setup requirements.

Featured Examples

Planning Radar Network Coverage over Terrain

Plan a radar network using propagation modelling over terrain. DTED level-1 terrain data is imported for a region that contains five candidate monostatic radar sites. The radar equation is used to determine whether target locations can be detected, where additional path loss is calculated using either the Longley-Rice propagation model or Terrain Integrated Rough Earth Model™ (TIREM™). The best three sites are selected for detection of a target that is flying at 500 meters above ground level. The scenario is updated to model a target that is flying at 250 meters above ground level. Radar coverage maps are shown for both scenarios.

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Planning a 5G Fixed Wireless Access Link over Terrain

Plan a fixed wireless access (FWA) link over terrain using 5G technologies. FWA is a use case for 5G to enable broadband service to homes or enterprises where wireline services are either unavailable or underperforming. FWA connects a base station to a user's fixed wireless terminal (FWT) [1]. At the high frequencies required for 5G, terrain and path loss impairments like foliage and weather play an important role in determining link success.

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Visualize Viewsheds and Coverage Maps Using Terrain

Display the viewshed (visible areas) and coverage area for a region of interest using satellite imagery and terrain data.

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Visualize Coverage Maps over Lunar Terrain Using Ray Tracing

Create a coverage map for a base station on the surface of the Moon using terrain data and ray tracing analysis.

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Visualize Antenna Field Strength Map on Earth

Calculate an antenna's field strength on flat earth and display it on a map.

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Visualize Antenna Coverage Map and Communication Links

Calculate and visualize signal strength between a transmitter and multiple receivers. The visualizations include an area coverage map and colored communication links. The example also shows selection of a directional antenna in order to achieve a communication link to a specific location.

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Antenna Array Beam Scanning Visualization on a Map

Visualize the changing pattern and coverage map of an antenna array as it scans a sweep of angles. The antenna array is created using Antenna Toolbox™ and Phased Array System Toolbox™. The array is designed to be directional and radiate in the xy-plane to generate a maximum coverage region in the geographic azimuth. Transmitter and receiver sites are created and shown on a map, and the pattern and coverage map are displayed as the antenna array is steered.

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SINR Map for a 5G Urban Macro-Cell Test Environment

Construct a 5G urban macro-cell test environment and visualize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) on a map. The test environment is based on the guidelines defined in Report ITU-R M.[IMT-2020.EVAL] [1] for evaluating 5G radio technologies. This report defines several test environments and usage scenarios in Section 8.2. The test environment in this example is based on the urban environment with high user density and traffic loads focusing on pedestrian and vehicular users (Dense Urban-eMBB). The test environment includes a hexagonal cell network as well as a custom antenna array that is implemented using Phased Array System Toolbox™.

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Urban Link and Coverage Analysis Using Ray Tracing

Analyze communication links and coverage areas in an urban environment.

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Analyze Communication Link for Aircraft over Seawater Using Ray Tracing

Use ray tracing to predict the path gain and signal strength of a radio link for an aircraft flying over seawater.

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