Wireless Communications-Coverage Software (WC2S) for PCS Network Planning Involving Hills, Foliage, Urban, and Mixed Propagation Paths

"Predicting the signal level and coverage area of WIN-T radio frequency communication channels between base stations, vehicles and warfighters is a challenging problem. The channel may involve radio frequency interactions with hills, foliage, andbuildings. The paths may involve long distances over hilly terrain or shorter distances involving interaction with urban building features. Some propagation paths may simultaneously involve hills, foliage, and urban areas. For example, a warfighter inan urban area may need to communicate with a command station located outside of the city. These mixed path links involving both urban and rural terrain are beyond the capability of any existing physics-based propagation model. Currently available models,including those developed by Remcom Inc., are applicable to paths where both the transmitting and receiving antennas are located in an outdoor urban environment, or indoors, or in rural areas. Development of fast and reliable mixed-path models will be animportant part of the overall SBIR effort for development of the Wireless Communication Coverage Software (WC2S). Also important will be the design and implementation of a computer graphical user interface (GUI) that allows for efficient user-control ofinput of important data affecting network planning. Remcom has already developed a commercial quality radio propagation model called Wireless InSite. Future plans include extending the capabi