Ray optical wave propagation modeling in urban micro cells

This paper presents a ray optical approach for the three-dimensional modeling of wave propagation in urban areas. The "IHE-URBAN-MICRO" model has been developed for the fully polarimetric prediction of field-strength levels and channel impulse responses in the frequency range from 300 MHz up to 3 GHz. It can handle both, base station antenna heights above as well as below rooftop level. Terrain information in a grid data format with a resolution of about 5-10 m are required. A new, unsupervised search for dominant propagation paths within a vertical and a transverse propagation plane is introduced. Propagation simulations at 955 MHz in real urban environments are presented. A comparison with micro cell measurements shows a good agreement and verifies the new vertical and transverse propagation plane approach.