Propagation measurements for microcells in central Stockholm

Abstract

Propagation measurements were made for microcells implemented using low omnidirectional antennas. 20 sites in a flat, homogeneous area of Stockholm were used. The transmitting antennas and the mobile receiving antenna were 5 m and 2 m in height, respectively. Each base station transmitted at a unique frequency in the vicinity of 870 MHz. The radio wave propagation along streets and around corners is studied. On a log-log scale, the signal decreases faster as a function of distance from the antenna when the mobile is far away from the antenna than when it is close. The signal loss suffered when turning a corner from a LOS (line-of-sight) onto a NLOS (non-line-of-sight) street is 20-25 dB. The rate of signal decrease near a corner is very sensitive to the type of LOS street and can be very high, requiring efficient handover procedures.