MODELING AND COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF WAVE-PROPAGATION IN LINEAL LINE-OF-SIGHT MICROCELLS

This paper presents the model and implementation principles governing the computer simulation of line-of-sight (LOS) microcell wave propagation. Multiray propagation above a plane earth constitutes the basic model. For rural microcells, we use two rays while, for urban microcells, we use 10 rays propagating in a dielectric ''canyon.'' We apply the model to two relevant problems. In the first, we study control of electric field falloff with distance, r. In the second, we demonstrate the advantages of switched transversal antenna diversity. Power falloff rates of 1/r4 and 1/r6 were obtained for simple two-element array structures. This may provide an additional interference control tool in the layout and design of microcells. The interference between the various rays propagating in lineal urban microcells results in deep nulls at various locations. The deleterious effects of these nulls can be eliminated by employing simple switched transverse antenna diversity.