The Impact of Soil Texture on Path Loss Modelling of an FM Signal Using Diffraction Technique

Ale Felix,Evans Chinemezu Ashigwuike,Farouq Eneuma Shaibu

doi:10.24018/ejers.2019.4.4.1231

Abstract

A novel solution to predict path loss of an FM signal using diffraction technique is proposed. Diffraction technique and soil texture impact are used to improve the Friis free-space model to predict the received signal strength and propagation path loss of an FM signal between a transmitter site and receiver site, while studying the impact of soil texture to the FM signal in the case of surface wave propagation. Measurement of signal strengths with an interval of 5KM along two different routes (1 and 2) were taken with a Digital Field Strength Meter (DW-400), in some selected open/rural environments of Kogi State. A solid-state transmitter (BE 20S), with broadcast frequency of 101.5MHz at antenna height of 120m was considered as the transmitting point source. Bluetooth signal strength meter software was used to visualize this impact of soil texture, where different types of soil were considered within the coverage area of the FM radio station, with the application of a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) technology. Measurements taken along the two different routes were compared against predictions made by the modified model of Friis Free Space. The model showed quite large mean path loss prediction errors, and places with poor signal strength for Prime FM Radio Nigeria were revealed. The result shows that an FM signal induces current in the ground over which it passes and it is attenuated as a result of absorption of energy by the soil, depending on the soil type.

Highlights

Application of diffraction technique and impact of soil texture on path loss modeling of an FM signal consist of received signal strength measurement of an FM signal within the paging of the radio coverage
Soil impact on electromagnetic wave was investigated and the result shows that an FM signal induces current in the ground over which it passes and it is attenuated as a result of absorption of energy by the soil
The findings are in agreement with the results obtained by Pardeep et al; but considering the impact of soil texture on an FM signal, to improve the Friis free-space path loss modelling gives better result to predict the received signal strength and propagation path loss of an FM signal

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Application of diffraction technique and impact of soil texture on path loss modeling of an FM signal consist of received signal strength measurement of an FM signal within the paging of the radio coverage. The research work characterized the propagation path loss and received signal strength (RSS) measurements in Enugu from Mobile Telecommunications of Nigeria (MTN) Network and Visafone Network in sites where each network operates alone They used the received signal strength gathered to characterize Enugu Urban environment and a propagation path loss model, suitable for scenario with base station height above the average rooftop was subsequently developed. They generated the SINR to evaluate the link performance of co-site operation in comparison to single Network operation in a site. They concluded that, in the spectrum-sharing scenario, for the victim not to be affected by the LTE wireless communication system operating at the same frequency, the interference power given in this work must be less than the victim receiver thermal noise floor by a certain interference margin

Equipment

Methods

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

VALIDATION OF RESULTS

CONCLUSION