Site Specific Propagation Prediction Software Tool for Communication Channel Modeling

Site Ware Technologies proposes to develop a computer package that will be able to predict the propagation characteristics of radio signals, such as: path loss, time delay profile, angle. of arrival distribution, spatial correlation and depolarization. The program will give site specific predictions in a wide range of outdoor physical environments for frequencies in the range from about 100 MHz to 10 GHz. The software tool will utilize a novel technique known as the Vertical Plane Launch (VPL) method for predicting the propagation paths in a cluttered building environment. The VPL has previously demonstrated the capability of accounting for reflections from a vertical wall and diffractions from the edge of buildings. The objectives of this Phase I proposal is to investigate and demonstrate enhancements to the existing VPL kernel, including the addition of terrain, foliage effects and diffuse scattering from surfaces and objects in the vicinity of the mobile, as well as its integration with user interface and visualization software. The successful completion of these enhancements will greatly increase the versatility and robustness of the propagation prediction tool to accurately predict the propagation phenomena in a broad range of environments and scenarios for military and commercial applications. BENEFITS: The propagation prediction tool is. anticipated to satisfy the current needs of military and commercial communication hardware developers for realistic channel modeling, as well as the site planners and installers of mobile communication infrastructure. There is currently a great need among these groups for a state-of-the-art theoretical propagation prediction tool.