Base station antenna design optimisation based on UTD ray-tracing models utilising radio site topographical data

In cellular communications, requirements for increased system capacity, improved coverage, better quality and reduced transmitted power, coupled with the need to rationalise cellular system planning have prompted a considerable interest in the development of valid and efficient radiowave propagation models. This work utilises advances that improve the accuracy and efficiency of ray tracing models, using a three-dimensional representation of the terrain and urban topographies, in conjunction with adaptive and selective ray tracing. These improvements allow utilisation of the field computation algorithm in the design and radio coverage planning processes. They include optimum automated selection of base station locations and phased array excitation. A reliable ray tracing scheme can be directly utilised in the optimum beamforming of base station antenna systems by interfacing field computations with design aims. Part of the cellular planning process involves determination of the antenna array position and beam shape or, equivalently, the excitation coefficients, for a desired power distribution over a defined area.