An empirical model for urban microcells, with applications and extensions

The authors have performed data reductions on 900 MHz signal attenuations measured on numerous streets in Manhattan. The database consists of both local spatial averages of signal attenuation and the short-term fluctuation about this average. The former, which the authors call local mean attenuation (LMA), is the primary focus. The database is used to obtain contours of constant LMA for two neighborhoods in Manhattan, and a simple theory is developed to explain and predict the convex-diamond shapes of these contours. Moreover, the authors propose that the squares inscribed within the convex-diamond contours be used as the building blocks of microcellular environments. Short-term fluctuations, extensions to other frequencies and environments, and microcell layout are discussed