RF Propagation

Site and terrain visualization, propagation model specification and visualization, path loss, TIREM™, Longley-Rice, outdoor and indoor ray tracing

RF propagation describes the behavior of electromagnetic radiation from a point of transmission as it travels through the surrounding environment. The analysis of RF propagation is essential in understanding how electromagnetic waves incur losses from a transmitter to a receiver in different scenarios. You can use propagation models to calculate the coverage, SINR, signal strength, path loss, and link loss between a transmitter and a receiver in basic, urban, terrain, and multipath environments.

Objects

txsiteCreate radio frequency transmitter site
rxsiteCreate radio frequency receiver site
siteviewerCreate Site Viewer map display for visualizing sites
propagationDataCreate RF propagation data container
comm.RayPropagation ray container object

Functions

expand all

addCustomTerrainAdd custom terrain data
removeCustomTerrainRemove custom terrain data
addCustomBasemapAdd custom basemap
removeCustomBasemapRemove custom basemap
interpGeographic data interpolation
showShow site location on map
hideHide site location on map
distanceDistance between sites
angleAngle between sites
elevationElevation of site
locationLocation coordinates at a given distance and angle from site
plotPlot propagation data on map
coverageDisplay coverage map
patternPlot antenna radiation pattern on map
sinrDisplay signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) map
linkDisplay communication link on map
sigstrengthSignal strength due to transmitter
raytracePlot propagation paths between sites
losPlot or compute the line-of-sight (LOS) visibility between sites on a map
propagationModelCreate RF propagation model
locationData location coordinates
contourDisplay contour map
addAdd propagation models
rainplRF signal attenuation due to rainfall
gasplRF signal attenuation due to atmospheric gases
fogplRF signal attenuation due to fog and clouds
fsplFree space path loss
tiremplPath loss using Terrain Integrated Rough Earth Model (TIREM)
rayplCalculate path loss and phase shift for ray
buildingMaterialPermittivityPermittivity and conductivity of building materials
earthSurfacePermittivityPermittivity and conductivity of earth surface materials
plot (rays)Plot rays in Site Viewer map

Topics

Site Viewer

Site Viewer basics, basemaps, and troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting Site Viewer

When you start Site Viewer up on showing a txsite or rxsite object, a check is made to make sure that you have an internet connection to retrieve the default basemap and terrain data.

Propagation Models

When to use the different propagation models based on frequency, type, and limitations.

Access Basemaps and Terrain in Site Viewer

To download MATLAB® basemaps:In addition, Site Viewer also supports three external basemaps that you can select from the basemap picker.

Access TIREM Software

TIREM information and setup requirements.

Featured Examples