Characterization of Propagation Channel in the Presence of an Imperfect Semi-Infinite Half-Plane using Asymptotic Path Integral and Ray Tracing Techniques

This paper reports on the results of both narrowband and wideband propagation channel characteristics applicable to mobile radio communications at millimetre wave frequencies. A simple case, but one of practical interest, of propagation scenario is considered, where a mobile receiver was moved through shadowing and line of sight (LOS) channel conditions in the presence of a semi-infinite half-plane. The propagation characteristics include the signal attenuation, Doppler spread and various first order and second order statistical characteristics such as cumulative distribution function (cdf), level crossing rate (Icr) of the fading signal. Also, the frequency selective fading behaviour was studied in terms of mean excess delay, rms delay spread at various mobile positions using channel frequency response over a range of 27.5 GHz to 31.5 GHz frequency band. These characteristics provide valuable information on the area coverage, selection of optimum transmitter location, the choice of suitable packet duration and data rates for the satisfactory performance of digital communication system. The results are obtained using two prediction models, namely the asymptotic path integral technique and ray tracing technique using uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) and are validated by comparing with each other.