Propagation Prediction for LTE Small Cells with Antenna Beam Tilt

This paper proposes some modifications of the COST 231 Walfisch-Ikegami (WI) model to reflect the information related to building and terrain heights of practical environments. Based on the modified WI model, a dual slope propagation model is developed for small cells with electrical and mechanical tilt. To validate the proposed model, propagation measurements are performed in a metropolitan area using commercially deployed small cells. We suggest a procedure to compute the path loss from measurement data considering transmit antenna beam patterns, and determine the break point for the proposed dual slope model using measurement results. Finally, the proposed model is compared through data analysis with conventional propagation prediction models in terms of root mean square deviation (RMSD).