Wideband characterisation of personal communication networks by propagation models

An efficient planning method for personal communication networks (PCN) requires versatile wave propagation modelling in the considered environment. Narrowband wave propagation models allow an assessment on the field strength level only. Propagation models considering 3D paths can be used for a statistical analysis of the resulting fading processes. As multipath propagation can cause severe signal disturbances due to intersymbol interference, the knowledge of additional parameters describing the propagation channel are required. Parameters of interest are the delay spread, coherence bandwidth, Doppler characteristics and the bit error rate (BER). Concerning the digital radio systems (e.g. DECT-Standard), the BER of the unprotected propagation channel is an important parameter. It is shown how 3D wave propagation models with automatic ray-tracing can be used to gain information about the multipath situation. Based on these results time and frequency domain characteristics of the propagation channel are derived. The BER of the unprotected channels is estimated with respect to the modulation scheme and the received multipath signals