Performance evaluations for urban line-of-sight microcells at 900 MHz using a multi-ray propagation model

The authors describe a computer-based analysis/simulation method for evaluating radio link performance in urban microcells. The computer program makes use of two separately reported developments. One is a multi-ray propagation model for urban streets; the other is an analytical method for computing the probability distribution of the bit error rate within the microcell´s coverage area. Optional features included within the computation program are selection antenna diversity at the receiver; diversity switching between microsites; and multiple distributed radio ports in each microcell, to improve radio coverage. Simulation is used in the program to account for the random RF phases among the multiple radio port antennas per microcell. It is shown that, overall, a significant performance improvement can result from using distributed antennas