Hata Path Loss Model Tuning for Cellular Networks in Irbid City

The accurate path loss models for cellular communications can help network engineers to estimate system design parameters such as base station height, antenna gain, downtilt angle, radiated power, and cell radius. Indeed, considering the appropriate path loss model in the design stage for a certain city is very important to avoid any unexpected problems after installing the system. In this paper, extensive measurements for cellular base stations are performed in Irbid city, Jordan. Based on these measurements and utilizing COST-231 Hata model, a new effective path loss model is developed and optimized using two algorithms: Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm and Genetic Algorithm (GA). The new optimized model is validated by comparison with measurements for other sites. The results have shown that the optimized model using PSO and GA outperforms other models. However, the PSO algorithm performs better than GA in terms of root mean square error (RMSE) value and solution convergence speed.