Building diffraction modelling for area coverage predictions in mobile radio propagation

A potential mechanism for location variability in built-up areas has been established, which works together with multiple building diffraction effects to provide a theoretical model of urban propagation which does not rely upon empirically determined correction factors. A novel method of multiple knife edge diffraction calculation has been applied, permitting relatively rapid computations with variable building heights. Signal variability was found to be substantially constant with range and increasing with frequency, which is consistent with measurements. The authors develop the Walfisch model to account for the effects of variable building heights using an unusual numerical technique for multiple edge diffraction prediction