Coverage Mapping

TYPES OF
LOSS
MODULATION
LOSS
• The amount of decreasing in power level after modulating a wave than
before it
• Loss reduce power signal
• The "modulation loss" is the ratio between the output signal power of
certain a modulation system and the input signal power of this system.
• The reason for the modulation loss is the imperfections of the modulators.
We cannot guarantee that our local oscillator will provide a perfect
pure tone all of the time. Hence, apart from the desired local oscillator
signal there can be other harmonics present with that.
RADIO PATH
LOSS
• The reduction in power density of an electromagnetic wave
or signal as it propagates through the environment in which it
is travelling.
• The key factor in the design of any radio communication
system or wireless system.
HOW DOES RADIO PATH
LOSS AFFECT THE
SYSTEMS?
• The radio signal path loss will determine many elements of the radio
communications system in particular the transmitter power, and the
antennas, especially their gain, height and general location.
• Accordingly, radio path loss calculations are used in many radio and
wireless survey tools for determining signal strength at various
locations.
• It is used to determine the level of the signal loss for a given radio
path
REASONS FOR RADIO PATH
LOSS TO OCCUR
• Free space loss: the free space loss occurs as the signal travels through space
without any other effects attenuating the signal it will still diminish as it spreads
out.
• Diffraction: radio signal path loss due diffraction occurs when an object
appears in the path. The signal can diffract around the object, but losses occur.
The loss is higher the more rounded the object.
• Multipath: in a real terrestrial environment, signals will be reflected and they
will reach the receiver via a number of different paths. These signals may add
or subtract from each other depending upon the relative phases of the signals.
• Absorption losses: absorption losses occur if the radio signal passes into
a medium which is not totally transparent to radio signals. There are
many reasons for this which include:
• Buildings, walls, etc: when radio signals pass through dense materials such was
walls, buildings or even furniture within a building, they suffer attenuation.
• Atmospheric moisture: at high microwave frequencies radio path loss increases as
a result of precipitation or even moisture in the air. The radio signal path loss may
vary according to the weather conditions.
• Vegetation: in dense forest it is found that signals even at lower frequencies are
considerably reduced. This illustrates that vegetation can introduce considerable
levels of radio path loss. Trees and foliage can attenuate radio signals,
particularly when wet.
• Terrain: the terrain over which signals travel will have a significant effect on the
signal. Obviously hills which obstruct the path will considerably attenuate the
signal, often making reception impossible. Additionally at low frequencies the
composition of the earth will have a marked effect.
• For example on the long wave band, it is found that signals travel best over more
conductive terrain, e.G. Sea paths or over areas that are marshy or damp. Dry sandy
terrain gives higher levels of attenuation.
• Atmosphere: the atmosphere can affect radio signal paths.
• Ionosphere: at lower frequencies, especially below 30 - 50mhz, the ionosphere has a
significant effect, reflecting (or more correctly refracting) them back to earth. Signals can
suffer attenuation at some parts.
• Troposphere: at frequencies above 50 mhz and more the troposphere has a major effect,
refracting the signals back to earth as a result of changing refractive index.
FREE SPACE PATH LOSS
𝜆 2
•𝐿𝑓𝑠 = ( ) Where: 𝐿𝑓𝑠 - Free space path loss
4𝜋𝐷
𝜆 − wavelength in meters
𝑐 f – frequency (hertz)
2
•𝐿𝑓𝑠 = ( ) D - distance in meters
4𝜋𝑓𝐷 c - speed of light in free space
REPRESENTATIVE PATH LOSS CALCULATIONS
COVERAGE
MAPPING
WHAT IS COVERAGE
MAP?
• It is designed to indicate the service areas of radio communication
transmitting stations.
• These may be produced for radio or television stations, for mobile
telephone networks and for satellite networks.
• Also known as PROPAGATION MAPS
• The coverage pattern for each AM station is based on the standard
groundwave field strength pattern, the frequency of the station, and the
ground conductivity of the local area.
• A coverage map will indicate the area within which the user can
expect to obtain good reception of the service in question using
standard equipment under normal operating conditions.
• Additionally, the map may also separately denote supplementary

service areas where good reception may be obtained but other
stations may be stronger, or where reception may variable but
the service may still be usable.
Distant Coverage: Fringe Coverage:
Within this area, the Within this area, the
signal of the radio station's signal will
station may be weak
be very weak. You
unless you have a
may be able to
good car radio or a
good stereo with a receive this station
good antenna. You if you have a very
may not be able to good radio with a
receive the station at good antenna, but
all on walkmans or it's possible that
other portable interference from
radios. other stations may
LOCAL COVERAGE:
prevent you from
Within this area, you picking up these
should be able to stations at all.
receive the radio
station on almost any
radio with
moderately good to
very good reception.
MF/
MEDIUMWAVE
For MF / mediumwave, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
defines the daytime service area boundary as a minimum field
strength of 2 mv/m. At night, the service area of mediumwave services
can be drastically reduced by co-channel interference from distant
stations.
AM ANTENNA
PATTERNS
• The number of towers, the spacing and
orientation of each tower, and the phase and
ratio of the signal that is sent to each tower all
combine to create an antenna pattern that might
look heart-shaped (cardioid), peanut-shaped, or
shaped like a 3, 4, or multi-leaf clover.
GROUND
CONDUCTIVITY
• To a large degree, AM radio signals are affected by the
electrical conductivity of the ground over which they travel.
Higher ground conductivity will enable AM radio signals to
travel farther.
• Sea water has a much higher conductivity than the ground, so
am radio signals will always travel much farther over sea
water than over land.
LIMITATION/S
• The biggest cause of uncertainty for a coverage map is the quality
(mainly sensitivity) of receiving apparatus used.
• Although carriers and broadcasters attempt to design their networks to
eliminate dead zones, no network is perfect, so coverage breaks within
the general coverage areas are still possible.
• Traditional coverage maps are based on models, constructed from
readings taken by dedicated network testers. This often means that
coverage maps show the theoretical capacity of the network rather than
its real-world performance.

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TYPES OF

• Additionally, the map may also separately denote supplementary

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