In this paper, we propose a method for predicting radio wave propagation using a correlation graph convolutional neural network (C-Graph CNN). We examine what kind of parameters are suitable to be used as system parameters in C-Graph CNN. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated by the path loss estimation accuracy and the computational cost through simulation.

A path loss prediction formula for IoT (Internet of Things) wireless communication close to ceiling beams in the 920MHz band is presented. In first step of our investigation, we conduct simulations using the FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) method and propagation tests close to a beam on the ceiling of a concrete building. In the second step, we derive a path loss prediction formula from the simulation results by using the FDTD method, by dividing into three regions of LoS (line-of-sight) situation, situation in the vicinity of the beam, and NLoS (non-line-of-sight) situation, depending on the positional relationship between the beam and transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) antennas. For each condition, the prediction formula is expressed by a relatively simple form as a function of height of the antennas with respect to the beam bottom. Thus, the prediction formula is very useful for the wireless site planning for the IoT wireless devices set close to concrete beam ceiling.

Basic characteristics for relating design and base station layout design in land mobile communications are provided through a propagation model for path loss prediction. Owing to the rapid annual increase in traffic data, the number of base stations has increased accordingly. Therefore, propagation models for various scenarios and frequency bands are necessitated. To solve problems optimization and creation methods using the propagation model, a path loss prediction method that merges multiple models in machine learning is proposed herein. The method is discussed based on measurement values from Kitakyushu-shi. In machine learning, the selection of input parameters and suppression of overlearning are important for achieving highly accurate predictions. Therefore, the acquisition of conventional models based on the propagation environment and the use of input parameters of high importance are proposed. The prediction accuracy for Kitakyushu-shi using the proposed method indicates a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.68dB. In addition, predictions are performed in Narashino-shi to confirm the effectiveness of the method in other urban scenarios. Results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method for the urban scenario in Narashino-shi, and an RMSE of 4.39dB is obtained for the accuracy.

In order to satisfy the user's demands for faster data rates and higher channel capacity, fifth generation (5G) wireless networks operate in the frequency at both sub-6GHz and millimeter wave bands for more abundant spectrum resources. Compared with the sub-6G bands, signals transmitted in the millimeter bands suffer from severe channel attenuation. A drone small cell (DSC) has been proposed recently to provide services outdoors. Not only does DSC have high maneuverability, it can also be deployed quickly in the required regions. Therefore, it is an important issue to establish the Air-to-Ground (ATG) channel model by taking into account the effects of building shielding and excess loss in various DSC deployments at different frequency bands. In this paper, we synthesize the ATG channels of the DSC and approximate the excess path loss of the ATG for different urban environments based on the ITU-R standard. With the approximated curve fitting relations, the proper height of the drone base station that satisfies a certain connected probability can be easily obtained for different scenarios.

Path loss in high frequency bands above 6GHz is the most fundamental and significant propagation characteristic of IMT-2020. To develop and evaluate such high frequency bands, ITU-R SG5 WP5D recently released channel models applicable up to 100GHz. The channel models include path loss models applicable to 0.5-100GHz. A path loss model is used for cell design and the evaluation of the radio technologies, which is the main purpose of WP5D. Prediction accuracy in various locations, Tx positions, frequency bands, and other parameters are significant in cell design. This article presents the prediction accuracy of UMa path loss models which are detailed in Report ITU-R M.2412 for IMT-2020. We also propose UMa_A' as an extension model of UMa_A. While UMa_A applies different equations to the bands below and above 6GHz to predict path loss, UMa_A' covers all bands by using the equations of UMa_A below 6GHz. By using the UMa_A' model, we can predict path loss by taking various parameters (such as BS antenna height) into account over a wide frequency range (0.5-100GHz). This is useful for considering the deployment of BS antennas at various positions with a wide frequency band. We verify model accuracy by extensive measurements in the frequency bands from 2 to 66GHz, distances up to 1600 m, and an UMa environment with three Tx antenna heights. The UMa_A' extension model can predict path loss with the low RMSE of about 7dB at 2-26.4GHz, which is more accurate than the UMa_A and UMa_B models. Although the applicability of the UMa_A' model at 66GHz is unclear and needs further verification, the evaluation results for 66GHz demonstrate that the antenna height may affect the prediction accuracy at 66GHz.

Channel modeling is a vital step in designing transceivers for wireless implant communication systems due to the extremely challenging environment of the human body. In this paper, the in-to-on body path loss and group delay were first analyzed using an electric dipole and a current loop in the 10-60MHz human body communication band. A path loss model was derived using finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation and an anatomical human body model. As a result, it was found that the path loss increases with distance in an exponent of 5.6 for dipole and 3.9 for loop, and the group delay variation is within 1ns for both dipole and loop which suggests a flat phase response. Moreover, the electric and magnetic field distributions revealed that the magnetic field components dominate in-body signal transmission in this frequency band. Based on the analysis results of the implant channel, the link budget was analyzed. An experiment on a prototype transceiver was also performed to validate the path loss model and bit error rate (BER) performance. The experimentally derived path loss exponent was between the electric dipole path loss exponent and the current loop path loss exponent, and the BER measurement showed the feasibility of 20Mbps implant communication up to a body depth of at least 15cm.

This paper proposes a path loss model for crowded outdoor environments that can consider the density of people. Measurement results in an anechoic chamber with three blocking persons showed that multiple human body shadowing can be calculated by using finite width screens. As a result, path loss in crowded environments can be calculated by using the path losses of the multipath and the multiple human body shadowing on those paths. The path losses of the multipath are derived from a ray tracing simulation, and the simulation results are then used to predict the path loss in crowded environments. The predicted path loss of the proposed model was examined through measurements in the crowded outdoor station square in front of Shibuya Station in Tokyo, and results showed that it can accurately predict the path loss in crowded environments at the frequencies of 4.7GHz and 26.4GHz under two different conditions of antenna height and density of people. The RMS error of the proposed model was less than 4dB.

This paper presents a numerical study of the wireless channel characteristics of liver implants in a frequency range of 4.5-6.5GHz, considering different digital human phantoms by employing two inhomogeneous male and female models. Path loss data for in-body to on-body and in-body to off-body communication scenarios are provided. The influence of respiration-induced organ movement on signal attenuation is demonstrated. A narrower range of attenuation deviation is observed in the female model as compared to the male model. The path loss data in the female body is between 40-80dB which is around 5-10dB lower than the male model. Path loss data for the in-body to off-body scenario in both models suggest that in-body propagation is the main component of total path loss in the channel. The results demonstrate that channel characteristics are subject dependent, and thus indicate the need to take subject dependencies into consideration when investigating in-body communication channels.

This paper presents the characteristics of path loss produced by traffic sign blockage. Multi frequency bands including high frequency bands up to 40 GHz are analyzed on the basis of measurement results in urban microcell environments. It is shown that the measured path loss increases compared to free space path loss even on a straight line-of-sight road, and that the excess attenuation is caused by the blockage effects of traffic signs. It is also shown that the measurement area affected by the blockage becomes small as frequency increases. The blocking object occupies the same area for all frequencies, but it takes up a larger portion of the Fresnel Zone as frequency increases. Therefore, if blockage occurs, the excess loss in high frequency bands becomes larger than in low frequency bands. In addition, the validity of two blockage path loss models is verified on the basis of measurement results. The first is the 3GPP blockage model and the second is the proposed blockage model, which is an expanded version of the basic diffraction model in ITU-R P.526. It is shown that these blockage models can predict the path loss increased by the traffic sign blockage and that their root mean square error can be improved compared to that of the 3GPP two slope model and a free space path loss model. The 3GPP blockage model is found to be more accurate for 26.4 and 37.1GHz, while the proposed model is more accurate for 0.8, 2.2, and 4.7GHz. The results show the blockage path loss due to traffic signs is clarified in a wide frequency range, and it is verified that the 3GPP blockage model and the proposed blockage model can accurately predict the blockage path loss.

This paper proposed that a path loss model for outdoor-to-indoor corridor is presented to construct next generation mobile communication systems. The proposed model covers the frequency range of millimeter wave bands up to 40GHz and provides three dimensional incident angle characteristics. Analysis of path loss characteristics is conducted by ray tracing. We clarify that the paths reflected multiple times between the external walls of buildings and then diffracted into one of the buildings are dominant. Moreover, we also clarify how the paths affect the path loss dependence on frequency and three dimensional incident angle. Therefore, by taking these dependencies into consideration, the proposed model decreases the root mean square errors of prediction results to within about 2 to 6dB in bands up to 40GHz.

Recently, computer speed and memory capacity have been advanced. Therefore, applicable space size or equivalently the frequency in the FDTD method has been increased similar as the ray-tracing method for radio wave propagation. The ray-tracing method can obtain easily important parameters such as path loss, delay profile and angular profile. On the other hand, the FDTD method seems difficult to obtain an angular profile. We can overcome this problem by applying the DOA estimation method to the FDTD method. In this paper, we show that the FDTD method can be used as a counterpart of the ray-tracing method to analyze radio wave propagation of large space by using DOA estimation method such as MUSIC method.

In the development of inter-vehicle communication systems for a prevention of car crashes, it is important to know path loss characteristics at blind intersections in urban area. Thus field experiments and numerical simulations have been performed. By the way, transparent waves from building walls are not considered in many cases. The reason why is that it is the worst case in terms of the path loss at blind intersection surrounded by buildings in urban area. However, it would be important to know the effect of transparent wave on the path loss in actual environments. On the other hand, path loss models have been proposed to estimate easily the path loss in urban environment. In these models, the effect of transparent wave is not clear. In this paper, the effect of transparent wave from building walls on path loss characteristics at blind intersection in urban area is investigated by using the FDTD method. Additionally, the relationship between transparent wave and path loss models is also investigated.

A path loss model for low antenna heights below surrounding buildings in residential areas is presented to contribute to the construction of VHF band wireless systems. The model is constructed on the basis of measurement results at 167.65MHz, near center frequency at VHF band. Path loss characteristics in the middle VHF band are compared to those in bands above UHF. The dominant paths in bands above UHF include propagation paths below surrounding buildings, such as paths along roads. However, in the middle VHF band, these paths are instantly attenuated because their 1st Fresnel zone radius is larger than the average building height or road width. The dominant path in the middle VHF band is the over-roof propagation path, and the 1st Fresnel zone of the path is shielded by the buildings and the ground surface. The proposed path loss model has two features. First, it derives the effective height of the ground surface from the terrain profile of the buildings and the ground surface. Second, it uses formulas of a two-path model to take the shielding of the 1st Fresnel zone into account. Finally, it is shown that the proposed model is able to predict the path loss measurement results more accurately than the conventional model.

A new path loss model of interference between mobile terminals in a residential area is proposed. The model uses invertible formulas and considers the effects on path loss characteristics produced by paths having many corners or corners with various angles. Angular profile and height pattern measurements clarify three paths that are dominant in terms of their effect on the accurate modeling of path loss characteristics in residential areas: paths along a road, paths between houses, and over-roof propagation paths. Measurements taken in a residential area to verify the model's validity show that the model is able to predict path loss with greater accuracy than conventional models.

In the received signal strength-based ranging algorithms, distance is estimated from a path loss model, in which the path loss exponent is considered a key parameter. The conventional RSS-based algorithms generally assume that the path loss exponent is known a priori. However, this assumption is not acceptable in the real world because the channel condition depends on the current wireless environment. In this paper, we propose an accurate estimation method of the path loss exponent that results in minimizing distance estimation errors in varying environments. Each anchor node estimates the path loss exponent for its transmission coverage by the sequential rearrangement of the received signal strengths of all sensor nodes within its coverage. Simulation results show that the proposed method can accurately estimate the actual path loss exponent without any prior knowledge and provides low distance estimation error.

This paper discusses the possibility of deploying a short-range cognitive radio (secondary communication system) within the service area of a primary system. Although the secondary system interferes with the primary system, there are certain locations in the service area of the primary system where the cognitive radio can reuse the frequency of the primary system without causing harmful interference to it and being disturbed by the primary system. These locations are referred to as having a spatial opportunity for communications in the secondary system, since it can reuse the frequency of the primary system. Simulation results indicate that the antenna gain, beamwidth, and propagation path loss greatly affect the spatial opportunity of frequency reuse for the secondary users. The results show that spatial spectrum reuse can be significantly increased when the primary system users are equipped with directional antennas. An important component in this study is the heterogeneous path loss model, i.e., the path loss model within the primary system is different from the model used to calculate the interference between the primary and the secondary systems. Our results show that the propagation models corresponding to the actual antenna heights in the primary/secondary system can largely impact the possibilities for spectrum reuse by the cognitive radios.

An implantable WBAN path-loss model for a capsule endoscopy which is used for examining digestive organs, is developed by conducting simulations and experiments. First, we performed FDTD simulations on implant WBAN propagation by using a numerical human model. Second, we performed FDTD simulations on a vessel that represents the human body. Third, we performed experiments using a vessel of the same dimensions as that used in the simulations. On the basis of the results of these simulations and experiments, we proposed the gradient and intercept parameters of the simple path-loss in-body propagation model.

Body Area Network (BAN) is considered as a promising technology in supporting medical and healthcare services by combining with various biological sensors. In this paper, we look at wearable BAN, which provides communication links among sensors on body surface. In order to design a BAN that manages biological information with high efficiency and high reliability, the propagation characteristics of BAN must be thoroughly investigated. As a preliminary effort, we measured the propagation characteristics of BAN at frequency bands of 400 MHz, 600 MHz, 900 MHz and 2400 MHz respectively. Channel models for wearable BAN based on the measurement were derived. Our results show that the channel model can be described by using a path loss model for all frequency bands investigated.

A site-general type prediction formula is created based on the measurement results in an urban area in Japan assuming that the prediction frequency range required for Fourth -- Generation (4G) Mobile Communication Systems is from 3 to 6 GHz, the distance range is 0.1 to 3 km, and the base station (BS) height range is from 10 to 100 m. Based on the measurement results, the path loss (dB) is found to be proportional to the logarithm of the distance (m), the logarithm of the BS height (m), and the logarithm of the frequency (GHz). Furthermore, we examine the extension of existing formulae such as the Okumura -- Hata, Walfisch -- Ikegami, and Sakagami formulae for 4G systems and propose a prediction formula based on the Extended Sakagami formula.

This paper presents a model for the variation in height of the subscriber station (SS) antenna with respect to the path loss for microwave-band wireless access systems. The propagation mechanism that causes the dependency of the height variation characteristics of the received level at an SS on the SS location and operating frequency is clarified in terms of geometrical optics (GO) using the uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (UTD). The height variation characteristics strongly depend on whether or not regular reflected waves that have a higher level than that of the diffracted wave arrive at the SS. A representation of the model is shown. The model is validated using measured data at 2.2, 5.2, and 25.15 GHz and the validity of the model is shown. This model is useful in the radio zone design of microwave-band broadband wireless access (BWA) systems operating in a non-line-of-sight environment, and in estimating the height gain at a mobile station antenna for mobile communications.