Efficient ray-tracing methods for propagation prediction for indoor wireless communications

• Published in: IEEE antennas & propagation magazine Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 41 - 49
• Main Authors: Zhong Ji, Bin-Hong Li, Hao-Xing Wang, Hsing-Yi Chen, Sarkar, T.K.
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.04.2001; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Accuracy; Applied classical electromagnetism; Applied sciences; Computation; Diffraction; Electromagnetic wave propagation, radiowave propagation; Electromagnetism; electron and ion optics; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Indoor environments; Indoor radio communication; Mathematical models; Physical theory of diffraction; Physics; Predictive models; Propagation; Propagation through the atmosphere; Radio propagation; Radiocommunications; Radiowave propagation; Ray tracing; Receivers; Reflection; Studies; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Three dimensional models; Two dimensional; UHF; UHF propagation; Wireless communication; Diffraction methods; Three dimensional model; Wave propagation; Wireless telecommunication; Prediction; Multipath propagation; Electromagnetic radiation; Ray tracing
• ISSN: 1045-9243; 1558-4143
• DOI: 10.1109/74.924603

The application of several ray-tracing techniques, in combination with the uniform theory of diffraction, is presented for efficient prediction of propagation in the UHF (communication) band in an indoor environment. First, we improve the computational efficiency of the two-dimensional (2D) ray-tracing method by reorganizing the objects in an indoor environment into irregular cells. Second, by making use of the two-dimensional ray-tracing results, a new three-dimensional (3D) propagation-prediction model is developed, which can save 99% of the computation time of a traditional three-dimensional model. This new hybrid model is more accurate than two-dimensional models, and more efficient in computing the path loss to any point in the building than traditional three-dimensional models. In this model, reflection and refraction by layered materials, and diffraction for the corners of the walls, are considered. A patched-wall model is used to improve the accuracy of prediction in the method. Finally, a comparison between simulation and measurements shows good agreement.