Improving Path Loss Prediction Using Environmental Feature Extraction from Satellite Images: Hand-Crafted vs. Convolutional Neural Network

Abstract

There is an increased exploration of the potential of wireless communication networks in the automation of daily human tasks via the Internet of Things. Such implementations are only possible with the proper design of networks. Path loss prediction is a key factor in the design of networks with parameters such as cell radius, antenna heights, and the number of cell sites that can be set. As path loss is affected by the environment, satellite images of network locations are used in developing path loss prediction models such that environmental effects are captured. We developed a path loss model based on the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm, whose inputs are numeric (non-image) features that influence path loss and features extracted from images composed of four tiled satellite images of points along the transmitter to receiver path. The model can predict path loss for multiple frequencies, antenna heights, and environments such that it can be incorporated into Radio Planning Tools. Various feature extraction methods that included CNN and hand-crafted and their combinations were applied to the images in order to determine the best input features, which, when combined with non-image features, will result in the best XGBoost model. Although hand-crafted features have the advantage of not requiring a large volume of data as no training is involved in them, they failed in this application as their use led to a reduction in accuracy. However, the best model was obtained when image features extracted using CNN and GLCM were combined with the non-image features, resulting in an RMSE improvement of 9.4272% against a model with non-image features only without satellite images. The XGBoost model performed better than Random Forest (RF), Extreme Learning Trees (ET), Gradient Boosting, and K Nearest Neighbor (KNN) based on the combination of CNN, GLCM, and non-image features. Further analysis using the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) revealed that features extracted from the satellite images using CNN had the highest contribution toward the XGBoost model’s output. The variation in values of features with output path loss values was presented using SHAP summary plots. Interactions were also observed between some features based on their dependence plots from the computed SHAP values. This information, when further explored, could serve as the basis for the development of an explainable/glass box path loss model.