NTIA Report TR-04-407 

Relative Propagation Impairments 

Between 430 MHz and 5750 MHz 

for Mobile Communication Systems 

in Urban Environments

Peter Papazian 

Michael Cotton 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Donald L. Evans, Secretary 

Michael D. Gallagher, Acting Assistant Secretary 

for Communications and Information 

December 2003 

Disclaimer 

Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this report to 

specify the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification 

imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and 

Information Administration, nor does it imply that the material or equipment identified is 

necessarily the best available for the purpose.

iii 
iv
CONTENTS 

Page 

FIGURES.......................................................................................................................... vii 

TABLES ............................................................................................................................ xi 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................xiii 

ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................1 

1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 

2. MEASUREMENT SYSTEM ......................................................................................... 2 

3. SURVEY LOCALE, ANTENNAS AND DRIVE ROUTES......................................... 2 

3.1 Transmitter Site, Antennas and Drive Routes........................................................... 2 

3.2 Receiver Antennas.................................................................................................... 4 

4. DATA PROCESSING.................................................................................................... 8 

4.1 Basic Transmission Loss........................................................................................... 8 

4.2 Delay Spread............................................................................................................. 9 

5. RESULTS ..................................................................................................................... 10 

5.1 Data Overview ........................................................................................................ 10 

5.2 Basic Transmission Loss......................................................................................... 13 

5.3 Basic Transmission Loss Slope .............................................................................. 13 

5.4 Lognormal Statistics ............................................................................................... 18 

5.5 Delay Statistics........................................................................................................ 20 

6. CONCLUSIONS........................................................................................................... 22 

7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................ 23 

8. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 24 

APPENDIX A: DATA FILE SUMMARY....................................................................... 25 

APPENDIX B: FIGURES ................................................................................................ 26 

v 
vi 
FIGURES 

Page 

Figure 1. Transmitter site looking SE along Speer Boulevard. .......................................... 3 

Figure 2. View from the transmitter site looking east towards downtown Denver. ........... 4 

Figure 3. View along Speer Boulevard south from the transmitter site.............................. 5 

Figure 4. View of downtown Denver looking east from the transmitter site. .................... 5 

Figure 5. Drive route map for radiowave propagation survey in downtown Denver, 

CO. ...................................................................................................................... 6 

Figure 6. The measurement van, ground plane and receiving antennas. ............................ 6 

Figure 7. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 430 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, 

CO. .................................................................................................................... 11 

Figure 8. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 1350 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, 

CO. .................................................................................................................... 11 

Figure 9. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 2260 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, 

CO. .................................................................................................................... 12 

Figure 10. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 5750 MHz all routes for downtown 

Denver, CO. ...................................................................................................... 12 

Figure 11. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 430 MHz........... 15 

Figure 12. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 1350 MHz......... 15 

Figure 13. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 2260 MHz......... 16 

Figure 14. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 5750 MHz......... 16 

Figure 15. Lb slope versus frequency for three urban drive routes in Denver, CO. .......... 17 

Figure 16. Basic transmission loss distribution about the local mean plotted on 

lognormal paper for the urban high-rise (S2R1) environment in downtown 

Denver, CO. Data for four frequencies are plotted: (a) 5750 MHz, (b) 

2260 MHz, (c) 1350 MHz, and (d) 430 MHz. .................................................. 19 

Figure 17. Basic transmission loss distribution about the local mean plotted on 

lognormal paper for an urban low-rise (S1R1) environment near 

downtown Denver, CO. Data for four frequencies are plotted: (a) 5750 

MHz, (b) 2260 MHz, (c) 1350 MHz, and (d) 430 MHz. .................................. 19 

vii 
Figure 18. Cumulative distribution of delay spreads, sector 1 route 1, 430-5750 

MHz. ................................................................................................................. 20 

Figure 19. Median delay spreads versus frequency for each sector and route. ................ 22 

Figure B1. Measured delay spread (S) at 430 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, 

CO. .................................................................................................................... 26 

Figure B2. Measured delay spread (S) at 1350 MHz all routes for downtown 

Denver, CO. ...................................................................................................... 26 

Figure B3. Measured delay spread (S) at 2260 MHz all routes for downtown 

Denver, CO. ...................................................................................................... 27 

Figure B4. Measured delay spread (S) at 5750 MHz all routes for downtown 

Denver, CO. ...................................................................................................... 27 

Figure B5. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 430 MHz.......... 28 

Figure B6. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 1350 MHz........ 28 

Figure B7. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 2260 MHz........ 29 

Figure B8. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 5750 MHz........ 29 

Figure B9. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, mixed urban 

low-rise and urban high-rise, at 430 MHz. ....................................................... 30 

Figure B10. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, mixed urban 

low-rise and urban high-rise, at 1350 MHz. ..................................................... 30 

Figure B11. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, mixed urban 

low-rise and urban high-rise, at 2260 MHz. ..................................................... 31 

Figure B12. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, mixed urban 

low-rise and urban high-rise, at 5750 MHz. ..................................................... 31 

Figure B13. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban, at 430 

MHz. ................................................................................................................. 32 

Figure B14. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban, at 1350 

MHz. ................................................................................................................. 32 

Figure B15. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban, at 2260 

MHz. ................................................................................................................. 33 

Figure B16. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban, at 5750 

MHz. ................................................................................................................. 33 

viii
Figure B17. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban mixed, 

at 430 MHz........................................................................................................ 34 

Figure B18. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban mixed, 

at 1350 MHz...................................................................................................... 34 

Figure B19. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban mixed, 

at 2260 MHz...................................................................................................... 35 

Figure B20. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban mixed, 

at 5750 MHz...................................................................................................... 35 

Figure B21. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 2 route1, urban highrise, 430 MHz.................................................................................................... 36 

Figure B22. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 2 route 1, urban highrise, 1350 MHz.................................................................................................. 36 

Figure B23. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 2 route1, urban highrise, 2260 MHz.................................................................................................. 37 

Figure B24. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 2 route1, urban highrise, 5750 MHz.................................................................................................. 37 

Figure B25. Cumulative distribution of delay spreads, sector 1 route 2, 430-5750 

MHz. ................................................................................................................. 38 

Figure B26. Cumulative distribution of delay spreads, sector 2 route 1, 430-5750 

MHz. ................................................................................................................. 38 

Figure B27. Cumulative distribution of the maximum delay, sector 1 route 1. ............... 39 

Figure B28. Cumulative distribution of the maximum delay, sector 1 route 2. ............... 39 

Figure B29. Cumulative distribution of the maximum delay, sector 2 route 1. ............... 40 

Figure B30. Delay spread not exceeded 90% of the time versus frequency for all 

drive routes........................................................................................................ 40 

ix
x 
TABLES 

Page

Table 1. Transmitter Site Coordinates and Antenna Boresight Directions....................... 7 

Table 2. Transmit Antenna Specifications........................................................................ 7 

Table 3. Receive Antenna Specifications ......................................................................... 7 

Table 4. The Power at Antenna Terminals and EIRP Transmitted versus Frequency ..... 7 

Table 5. Lb Slopes for Three Routes in the Downtown Area of Denver, CO................. 18 

Table 6. Summary of Attenuation Slopes for Three Routes in the Downtown Area 

of Denver, CO................................................................................................... 18 

Table 7. Lb Slopes Measured at 1850 MHz in an Urban Area of Southern England 

and Predictions Made Using the Hata Model ................................................... 18 

Table 8. Delay Spread Cumulative Distribution Summary at 50% and 10% 

Quantiles by Drive Routes with Averages........................................................ 21 

Table 9. Maximum Delay Cumulative Distribution Summary at 50% and 10% 

Quantiles by Drive Route with Averages ......................................................... 21 

Table A1. Raw Data File Information .............................................................................. 25 

xi 
xii 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

This report describes mobile radiowave propagation measurements made in the 

downtown area of Denver, Colorado. The measurements were made to determine the 

relative nature of propagation impairments over a range of frequencies proposed for new 

communication services. In some cases these proposals would require moving existing 

commercial services or military communication systems to make way for new broadband 

mobile communication services. The argument for moving existing fixed services is that 

lower frequencies that suffer fewer propagation impairments are better suited to mobile 

applications. This work measures these propagation impairments so these questions can 

be addressed quantitatively. 

Broadband mobile impulse response data were collected at 430 MHz, 1360 MHz, 

2250 MHz and 5750 MHz. These frequencies begin at the lower end of the UHF TV 

band at 430 MHz, proceed to the lower end of the SHF band at 1350 MHz, then jump to 

2250 MHz, which is near spectrum being sought for 3G mobile services, but presently 

occupied by US military radars, and then jump to 5750 MHz, which is an ISM band 

being considered for broadband wireless access and possibly for 3G wireless applications 

instead of 2 GHz frequency bands. 

Consequently, the relative propagation impairments between 2 GHz and 5.75 GHz are of 

particular interest for 3G services. The lower frequency range (430 and 1350 MHz) 

serves as a reference concerning the frequency dependence of propagation parameters. 

This large frequency range helps establish a trend for the propagation parameters and is 

useful for comparison with other measurements. 

Propagation parameters are highly dependent upon the environment and system

configuration such as antenna height and transmitter receiver separation. These were 

chosen to match the urban mobile cellular environment. But even in an urban cellular 

environment these parameters can vary greatly. So to measure the relative effects versus 

frequency, all frequencies were transmitted simultaneously and the data collected 

simultaneously at the same locations. To compensate for environmental effects, three 

different urban routes were chosen and statistics from each route were compared. One 

route was an urban boulevard with line-of-sight paths (S1R1), another was an urban highrise, urban low-rise, line-of-sight area (S1R2), and the third was an urban high-rise 

environment (S2R2). 

The measurement system utilized a 4-channel pseudonoise code transmitter chipping at 

10 MB/s. This allowed measurement of the radio channel impulse response at 4 carrier 

frequencies with a resolution of 100 ns and a bandwidth of 20 MHz. The data were 

digitized at IF which allows post processing to determine all radio propagation metrics. 

The metrics chosen for study were the basic transmission loss (Lb) and delay spread S. To 

quantify Lb, average slope and σ about the local mean were determined. These metrics 

allow coverage calculations and link budget analysis at specified availability levels using 

a simple radio propagation model. The second metric S is used to quantify multipath and 

signal dispersion. These propagation impairments can cause intersymbol interference and 

xiii 
limit the transmission bit rate, bandwidth, and performance of digital communication 

systems. 

Figure ES1 shows the three drive routes and the transmitter site in downtown Denver, 

CO. Bursts of impulse response data were collected simultaneously at 4 measurement 

frequencies at positions marked on the street map. An example of Lb measurements at 

430 MHz is shown in Figure ES2. Similar maps for Lb and S at all measurement 

frequencies are contained in the main body of the report and the appendix. 

Figure ES1. Drive route map for radiowave propagation survey in downtown Denver, CO. 

To quantify the relative nature of Lb versus frequency, the data were assembled by route 

and plotted versus log distance from the transmitter. In this format a simple propagation 

model for mobile communications can be used. This model characterizes the transmission 

loss using the average slope and the distribution of Lb around its local mean value. It has 

been found that if fast fading (Rayleigh fading) is averaged out, the slow fading is 

lognormally distributed with a standard deviation σ. Figure ES3 shows such an analysis 

for sector 1 route 1 (Speer Blvd. shown in green on Figure ES1). On ES3 three distinct 

regions can be seen. These regions are analyzed relative to the free space loss curve (red) 

and the average slope (green line) of the measured points determined using a least 

squares fitting method. Close in to the transmitter, data points in red indicate propagation 

paths that were shadowed by the transmitter building or are in the side lobes of the 

xiv
Figure ES2. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 430 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

Figure ES3. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 430 MHz. 

xv
transmit antennas. At log distances between 2 and 3 (100 to 1000 m), the data points are 

closely aligned with the free space loss curve (red). This indicates a line-of-sight 

propagation region. Then the slope increase (green versus red lines) indicates signal 

shadowing and diffraction. It is this area where the average path loss slope (∆Lb/∆r) is 

used to quantify the relative propagation impairments due to the environment. Similar 

analysis including the σ for lognormal fading about the green trend line is included in the 

main body and appendix of the report. Table ES1 is a summary of the path loss slope for 

the different drive routes. We see on average the slope increased from 43 to 54 dB/decade 

between 430 and 5750 MHz. Between 2250 MHz and 5750 MHz the slope increase was 

between 1 and 5 dB, and 3.5 dB on average. 

Table ES1. Lb Slopes for Three Routes in the Downtown Area of Denver, CO 

∆Lb /∆ r (dB/decade) 

Route 430 MHz 1350 MHz 2260 MHz 5750 MHz

S1R1 45.1 57.7 54.3 59.1

S1R2/urban 40.4 46.1 48.0 49.1

S2R1 42.3 48.8 47.9 52.7

Average 42.6 50.8 50.1 53.6

These results are also displayed graphically in Figure ES4. Here the data is plotted versus 

log frequency and we see that the path loss slope trend versus frequency shows a linear 

increase of about 11 dB/decade. 

Figure ES4. Lb slope versus frequency for three urban drive routes in Denver, CO.

The σ for the distribution of path loss around the best-fit line is given in Table ES2. 

These values are consistent with measurements made in urban areas in the PCS bands. By 

xvi
using the path loss slope and σ, link budget calculations can be made at different 

availability levels versus frequency. No clear trend was seen in this data except on the 

urban high-rise route (S2R1) where the standard deviation (σ) of Lb increased with 

frequency. 

Table ES2. σ for Three Routes in the Downtown Area of Denver, CO 

σ (dB) 

Route 430 MHz 1350 MHz 2260 MHz 5750 MHz

S1R1 4.2 3.4 3.4 4.0

S1R2 6.9 6.5 6.7 *

S2R1 4.7 4.5 5.6 6.8

Average 5.3 4.8 5.2 5.4

The cumulative distribution function (CDF) of S is used to analyze the environmental and 

frequency dependences of the multipath. Using averaged impulse response data, S was 

calculated and CDF’s were computed for different routes and carrier frequencies. Figure 

ES5 is an example of the CDF’s for S2R1. The exceedance probability at 50% (median) 

and 10% were compiled and it was found that S decreased at higher frequencies. These 

results are summarized in Table ES3. For instance the average (over all routes) delay 

spread exceeded 50% of the time (median) decreased from 0.7 μs at 430 MHz to 0.27 μs

at 5750 MHz. Similarly the 10% exceedance level dropped from 1.2 μs to 0.68 μs. 

Figure ES5. Cumulative distribution of delay spreads, sector 2 route 1, 430-5750 MHz. 

xvii
Table ES3. Delay Spread Cumulative Distribution Summary at 50% and 10% Quantiles 

by Drive Routes with Averages 

Ordinate 

Exceeded 

S (μs) 50% S (μs) 10%

Frequency 

(MHz) 

430 1350 2260 5750 430 1350 2260 5750

S1R1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.1 .95 0.6 0.8 .35

S1R2 0.9 .85 0.8 0.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.0

S2R1 0.8 .75 0.7 0.4 1.2 1.3 1.2 0.7

Average 0.7 0.6 0.6 .27 1.2 1.1 1.1 .68

Based on this data several conclusions can be reached concerning the relative propagation 

impairments between 430 MHz, 1360 MHz, 2250 MHz, and 5750 MHz in urban areas. 

1. Lb slope increases linearly versus log frequency at about 11 dB per decade. 

2. Lb slope between 2260 and 5750 MHz increases on average by 3.5 dB. 

3. Average median S decreases by 61% and by 43% at the 10% exceedance quantiles. 

These results quantify the additional power requirements needed as carrier frequency 

increases. The measurements also indicate a decrease in S that is beneficial for large 

bandwidth and higher data rate communication systems. 

xviii
RELATIVE PROPAGATION IMPAIRMENTS BETWEEN 430 MHZ

AND 5750 MHZ FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS 

IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS 

Peter Papazian and Michael Cotton1

Radiowave propagation measurements made in an urban area of Denver, 

Colorado, are described. Wideband, impulse response measurements were 

made at 4 carrier frequencies from 430 MHz to 5750 MHz. These 

measurements were made using a mobile measurement van to characterize 

the mobile communications environment. Basic transmission loss and 

delay spread are characterized by analysis of the path loss slope and delay 

spread statistics. By analyzing the results versus carrier frequency the 

relative propagation impairments for communication systems at 430, 

1350, 2260 and 5750 MHz are compared. It was found that the path loss 

slope increased on average by 11 dB/decade and the delay spread 

decreased from 33% to 65% over the decade of frequencies measured. 

Key words: basic transmission loss; delay spread; impulse response; path loss; 

radiowave propagation; urban environment. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

A mobile radiowave propagation survey was conducted in downtown Denver, Colorado, 

using spread spectrum signals to measure the radio channel impulse response over a 

20-MHz bandwidth. The propagation data were collected at 4 carrier frequencies that 

spanned the decade of frequencies between 430 and 5750 MHz. The purpose of this work 

was to determine relative propagation impairments for mobile communications over a 

wide range of frequencies and to create a measurement database to verify the accuracy of 

existing radio propagation models in an urban environment. 

This report is organized as follows. Section 2 is a description of the measurement system. 

Section 3 describes the survey location, antennas, EIRP, and drive routes. Section 4 

describes the data processing. Section 5 presents an analysis of the basic transmission 

loss and delay statistics. These results include the relative propagation impairments 

versus frequency. Section 6 gives the conclusions. The data set is archived and can be 

used for additional modeling and analysis. 

 

1

The authors are with the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, National Telecommunications and

Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Boulder, Colorado, 80305. 
2. MEASUREMENT SYSTEM 

The wideband measurement system [1,2,3] collected impulse response data by 

transmitting a psuedo noise (PN) code at a rate of 10 Mb/s using BPSK modulation. The 

received IF signal was digitized, allowing for measurement of the received power and 

software correlation of the PN signal for the calculation of the radio channel impulse 

response and other associated propagation metrics. The data were collected 

simultaneously at all 4 frequencies using precision rubidium time standards at the 

transmitter and at the receiver, and were stamped with GPS coordinates, heading, and 

velocity of the receiving van. 

3. SURVEY LOCALE, ANTENNAS AND DRIVE ROUTES 

The drive routes covered a combination of urban high-rise, urban low-rise and line-ofsight propagation paths in a downtown area of Denver, Colorado. The survey was 

conducted in the springtime just before the trees leafed out, and during the daytime under 

average traffic conditions. Four vertically-polarized antennas were used for transmitting 

radio signals from a rooftop location. The boresight directions of the transmit antennas 

were adjusted to cover all drive routes by dividing the survey area into two 90° sectors. 

The 4 omni-directional vertically polarized receiver antennas were mounted over a 

ground plane on the measurement van. 

3.1 Transmitter Site, Antennas and Drive Routes 

The transmit antennas were positioned on the SE corner of the University of Colorado 

Denver North campus building overlooking Speer Boulevard at an elevation of 17 m

above the ground. Figure 1 shows the transmit antennas with a view looking to the SE 

towards sector 1. Figure 2 shows the same antennas but the view is to the east towards the 

urban high-rise area of sector 2. 

2
Figure 1. Transmitter site looking SE along Speer Boulevard. 

The 2 sectors were surveyed separately by changing the boresight direction of the 

transmit antennas. The transmit antennas for sector 1 had a boresight direction of S45°E. 

The drive routes for sector 1 covered Speer Boulevard to the south and both urban lowrise and urban high-rise to the east and west of Speer Boulevard. Figure 3 shows a view 

of Speer Blvd. Sector 2 covered the northeast survey area and the transmit antennas’ 

boresight was directed N45°E. The drive route for sector 2 covered the urban high-rise 

areas of downtown Denver. Figure 4 shows a view looking east from the transmitter into 

sector 2 along an urban canyon formed along Arapahoe Street. Figure 5 is a map showing 

the drive routes and measurement locations. Sector 1 route 1 is the Speer Blvd. route 

shown in green. Speer Blvd. is a large boulevard with buildings set back from the drive 

route. It offers an unobstructed view of the transmitter until it curves eastward. Sector 1 

route 2 (blue) has a mixture of low-rise to the west of Speer Blvd. and high-rise and lowrise to the east of Speer Blvd. The downtown high-rise buildings shadow part of this 

route to the SE. Sector 2, route 1 (red) is an urban high-rise area. These buildings create 

canyons for radiowave propagation to the east of the transmitter site. The colored circles 

on the drive route map indicate locations where bursts of 128 impulse response 

measurements were collected on all 4 channels. These locations are based on the GPS 

coordinates of the vehicle at the end of the burst. The vehicle velocity and heading are 

also recorded from the GPS string. 

3
Figure 2. View from the transmitter site looking east towards downtown Denver. 

Survey parameters are summarized in Tables 1-4. Table 1 gives the transmitter 

coordinates and elevation. Tables 2 and 3 list the transmitter and receiver antenna 

specifications and Table 4 lists transmitter EIRP by frequency. 

3.2 Receiver Antennas 

Receive antennas were positioned over a conducting ground plane 2.5 m above the street 

on the roof of the measurement vehicle (Figure 6). These antennas consisted of two 

monopole antennas and two vertical bicones (See Table 3). 

 

4
Figure 3. View along Speer Boulevard south from the transmitter site. 

Figure 4. View of downtown Denver looking east from the transmitter site. 

5
Figure 5. Drive route map for radiowave propagation survey in downtown Denver, CO. 

Figure 6. The measurement van, ground plane and receiving antennas.

6
Table 1. Transmitter Site Coordinates and Antenna Boresight Directions 

Sector Latitude (deg) Longitude (deg) Elevation (m) Boresight 

1 39.74521 -105.0013 17 S45°E

2 39.74521 -105.0013 17 N45°E

Table 2. Transmit Antenna Specifications 

Antenna Frequency

(MHz) 

Vertical 

BW (deg) 

Horizontal 

BW (deg) 

Gt (dBi) Antenna 

Type* 

Cushcraft FRX430 430-450 24 Omni 1.7 Stacked

Dipole 

Dorne&Margolin 

Q130 

1360 11 140 11.3 Stacked

Dipole 

Decibel 

DB975H90N-S 

2300-2500 9 90 15.2 Stacked

Dipole 

TECOM 

201101 

1000-12400 65 100 7.5 Log

Periodic

* Vertical Polarization 

Table 3. Receive Antenna Specifications 

Antenna Frequency (MHz) Vertical

BW

(deg) 

Horizontal 

BW (deg) 

Gr (dBi)* Antenna Type 

(Vertical 

Polarization) 

Larson 430-440 20 Omni 2 5/8 λ

Monopole 

1⁄4 Wave 1340-1360 30 Omni -1.3 1⁄4 λ Monopole

Tecom

201093V 

2250-2270 50 Omni 3.9 Biconical

Tecom 

201093V 

5740-5760 45 Omni 2.0 Biconical

* On the Horizon 

Table 4. The Power at Antenna Terminals and EIRP Transmitted versus Frequency

Frequency (MHz) Pt (dBm) at antenna terminals Gt (dBi) EIRP (dBm) 

420-440 36.6 1.7 38.3

1340-1360 35.6 11.3 46.9

2250-2270 36.2 15.0 51.2

5740-5760 35.1 7.5 42.6

7
4. DATA PROCESSING 

4.1 Basic Transmission Loss 

Data processing algorithms were used to reduce the data to several metrics for analysis. 

The basic transmission loss (Lb), also called the path loss, is one such metric. It is the 

transmission loss expected between two ideal, loss-free, isotropic transmitting and 

receiving antennas. Lb is determined using Equation 1. 

L (dB) P (dB) G (dB) G (dB) P (dB) b = t + t + r − r (1) 

where: 

Pt = power at transmitter antenna terminals, 

Pr = power at receiver antenna terminals, 

 Gt= transmit antenna gain above isotropic, 

 Gr= receive antenna gain above isotropic. 

 

The transmitter power, Pt, is measured using a wideband power meter connected at the 

end of the transmitter antenna cables. Received power, Pr, is then measured by 

integrating the receiver’s digitized IF signal voltage and subtracting an average 

calibration constant as in Equation 2. 

( ) ( ) 1 10 log 2 P 10 V t dt Pcal dB

o

r IF −⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛ = × ∫

τ

τ

(2) 

The average calibration constant, Pcal , is determined during the system calibration. In the 

calibration configuration the transmitter output and receiver input cables are connected 

using an N type barrel. After measuring the transmitter output, again using a wideband 

power meter, a series of precision fixed and variable attenuators are used to adjust the 

transmitter output power at the barrel connector, PN, between –35 dBm and –105 dBm in 

10-dB steps. At each step a burst of data is collected on all receiver channels. After 

averaging each burst of data, the calibration constant is calculated using Equation 3. 

( ) ⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛ = − × ∫

τ

τ o

Pcal PN VIF t dt 2

10

1 10 log (3) 

The linear range of the receiver is determined and the average calibration constant over 

this range, Pcal , is used in Equation 2. This calculation is performed for each receiver 

channel corresponding to the 4 measurement frequencies. In this way the gain of each 

receiver channel is measured and subtracted from the received power measurements in 

Equation 2. Lb can now be calculated from the raw data using Equation 1, the antenna 

gains and transmit powers in Tables 2, 3, and 4. 

8
4.2 Delay Spread 

The delay spread (S) is a statistical measure of the signal dispersion or multipath. This 

dispersion is caused by reflections of radiowaves by obstructions between the transmitter 

and receiver. To calculate S, first the digitized IF signal is converted to baseband in 

software and then correlated with a copy of the transmitted PN sequence. The correlation 

output is the radio channel impulse response H(t). The power delay profile (PDP) is then 

calculated by squaring the channel impulse response (Equation 4). The PDP is then 

averaged over a stationary data burst consisting of 64-128 PDP recordings. The averaging 

distance is between 10 and 110 λ, depending upon frequency and vehicle speed. This 

average PDP is called the APDP (Equation 5). S is then calculated by computing the 

second central moment of the APDP using Equations 6 and 7. 

2

( ) k PDP = H t (4) 

( ) ( ) 1 ( )

1

k k

N

i

k i PDP t P t

N

APDP t = ∑ = = (5) 

2

1

1

2

( )

( ) ( )

⎥

⎥

⎥

⎥

⎦

⎤

⎢

⎢

⎢

⎢

⎣

⎡ −

=

∑

∑

=

=

N

k

k

N

k

k k

P t

t d P t

S (6)

.

( )

( )

1

1

∑

∑

=

= = = N

k

k

N

k

k k

P t

t P t

d mean delay

where

 (7)

9
5. RESULTS 

5.1 Data Overview

Basic transmission loss (Lb) is computed using the digitized IF data, as described in 

section 4.1. Fast fading is removed from Lb by both integrating the received power, and 

averaging spatially. First the IF signal is sampled 2044 times at 25 ns intervals. The 

sample period, 51.1 μs, is equal to the PN word length. After a delay of 3 ms the IF is 

sampled again until there are 128 independent data sequences. IF data, from each 

sequence, are used to calculate the received power using Equation 2. The 128 power 

samples are then averaged to remove the fast fading. The delay spread (S) is calculated 

using the channel impulse response calculated from the IF data as described in section 

4.2. The impulse data are also averaged before the delay spread calculation. 

Measurements of Lb for all drive routes and 4 frequencies versus the GPS coordinates of 

each data burst are shown in Figures 7-10. For an average drive speed of 15 m/s and an 

impulse-sampling rate of 3 ms, this gives a spatial average every 5.7 m. In wavelengths 

this corresponds to 108λ, 46λ, 26λ, and 8.5λ for measurement frequencies of 5.75, 2.26, 

1.35, and .45 GHz respectively. After averaging, fast fading is removed and only the slow 

fading caused by terrain and shadowing is left [4,5]. The S data is averaged over the same

data bursts with the added constraint that each impulse in the burst has to have a 

minimum peak to tail ratio of 23 dB. In addition, each burst has to have at least 7 out of 

128 impulses that meet these criteria in order to be processed for S. If the data burst meets 

these criteria, Equations 6 and 7 are used with a 20 dB cutoff to calculate an average S for 

the burst. Figures B1-B4 (Appendix B) show the average value of S for each burst of data 

in map view also versus GPS coordinates. 

10
Figure 7. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 430 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

Figure 8. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 1350 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

11
Figure 9. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 2260 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

Figure 10. Basic transmission loss (Lb) at 5750 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

12
5.2 Basic Transmission Loss 

Lb is the total loss in power between the transmitter and receiver antennas. It includes 

both the free space loss and loss due to attenuation. Comparing Figures 7 and 10 we can 

see large differences in Lb between 430 MHz and 5750 MHz. Close to the transmitter 

where there are line-of-sight conditions, Lb is between 70-80 dB at 430 MHz and 85-90 

dB at 5750 MHz. This difference is due to the increase in free space spreading loss (Lfs) 

at 5750 MHz. At a distance of 1-2 km from the transmitter we no longer have line-ofsight conditions, and now signal attenuation due to diffraction and shadowing cause 

additional signal losses. At these distances Lb is between 85-90 dB at 430 MHz, while at 

5750 MHz Lb is between 100-120 dB. Lb can be used to quantify the increased power 

requirements for high frequency systems needed to achieve the same level of signal 

coverage or cell size. Larger attenuation and basic transmission losses limit the range of 

higher frequency systems. This is apparent when comparing Figure 7 to Figure 10. The 

area with losses below 100 dB at 5750 MHz extends out to less than 1 km, while at 430 

MHz this area extends to 2 km in many directions. 

Data in this format, tagged with latitude and longitude coordinates, is useful for a 

comparison to modeling results, but it is difficult to use for quantitative comparisons 

versus frequency. To do this it is better to display Lb versus distance in scatter plots and 

measure the average slope and data distribution around a local mean. These methods and 

results are described in sections 5.3 and 5.4. 

5.3 Basic Transmission Loss Slope 

By plotting the basic transmission loss in dB versus log distance from the transmitter, Lb

becomes a linear function (Figures 11-14). The average slope (dB/decade) for Lb can then 

be determined using a least squares fitting method. This data can be compared to free 

space loss (Lfs), the spreading loss for an isotropic signal with no obstructions. Lfs is a 

function of frequency and can be computed using Equation 8 where d is the distance 

between transmitter and receiver and λ is the carrier wavelength. Because Lb is the total 

loss in power between the transmitter and receiver it includes both Lfs and the signal 

attenuation (A) due to diffraction and shadowing. This relationship is given in Equation 9. 

( )

2 4

λ L πd

fs = (8) 

L (dB) L (dB) A(dB) bt = fs + (9) 

Another common metric, the loss exponent, can be computed by dividing the slope by 10. 

For instance, a slope of 40 dB/decade is equivalent to a slope exponent of 4. The slope of 

A can be determined by subtracting the free space loss slope of 20 from the Lb slope. 

Line-of-site propagation paths can be dominated by Lfs and have little loss due to signal 

13
attenuation. These data points in urban areas will tend to be close to the transmitter and 

follow an Lfs trend line. Sometimes short path data points do not follow the Lfs trend line 

(close in red points on Figures 11-14). These points were shadowed by the transmitter 

building or are in the side lobes of the transmitting antenna pattern. In all the plots (after 

we get into the main antenna lobe) first we see a region near the transmitter where the 

slope of the Lb is near 20dB/decade (10*log (Lfs)). This region occurs within the first 100 

and 300 m from the transmitter and indicates line-of-sight conditions. 

We then see a second region where the average slope increases, indicating that the radio 

path has become obstructed. Values in this region ranged between 29 and 59 dB/decade 

(see Figures 11-14, B5-B19, and Table 5). Signal attenuation due to diffraction and 

shadowing are also frequency dependent and path loss slopes in built up areas tend to 

increase with increasing frequency. At large separations, data sometimes reach the 

sensitivity limit of the receiver. This limit is indicated when the data trend flattens out. 

These points are also marked in red and are not included in the trend line fit (see, e.g., 

Figures B6 and B8). 

These trends are not clear for Sector 1 Route 2 (Figures B9-B12). Data from this route 

are very scattered and a trend line is visible for only a small region at short distances 

from the transmitter. This route covered urban low-rise, high-rise and line-of-sight areas. 

Consequently the data is too variable to be characterized using the average slope method 

and it was not possible to extract meaningful slope data. To decrease the variance, this 

data set was separated into two regions. One region is east of Speer Blvd. and is 

predominantly urban (see Figures B13-B16). The other region is west of Speer Blvd. and 

is a mixture of urban low-rise, residential and line-of-sight. The mixed urban data was not 

included in the analysis because it still had a large variability and much of the 5750 MHz 

data was unusable because the sensitivity limit of the receiver was surpassed (see Figures 

B17-B20). 

Sector 2 Route 1 was predominantly urban high-rise. This data was also used for the 

average slope analysis to determine the relative nature of signal loss (Lb) versus 

frequency (Figures B21-B24). Data from this route displayed in Figure B24 also illustrate 

the effects of high frequency power amplifier limitations and the decreased sensitivity of

the receiver at 5750 MHz. 

14
Figure 11. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 430 MHz. 

Figure 12. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 1350 MHz. 

15
Figure 13. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 2260 MHz. 

Figure 14. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 5750 MHz. 

Lb and attenuation (A) slopes are summarized in Tables 5 and 6, respectively. The 

distance where line-of-sight communications is lost will depend upon the transmitter 

location and height. The average signal loss beyond this distance can be estimated using 

the slopes in Table 5. Although we see large route-to-route variability at any one 

16
frequency, the trend to larger path loss slopes at higher frequencies is consistent on all 

routes. The increase in Lb slope between 430 MHz and 5750 MHz is between 9 and 

14 dB/decade, while the increase between 2260 and 5750 MHz is between 1 and 5 

dB/decade with an average of 3.5 dB. Path loss slope versus frequency is plotted in 

Figure 15. The average slope increase is about 11 dB/decade and is approximately linear 

over the decade of frequencies between 430 MHz and 5750 MHz. 

Figure 15. Lb slope versus frequency for three urban drive routes in Denver, CO. 

For comparison, several measured and predicted PCS path loss exponents from Steele [5] 

are summarized in Table 7. These measurements are from an urban environment in 

southern England using 1.8 GHz narrowband data averaged over 6.44 m (38λ). The base 

antenna height was varied between 6 m and 14 m and the receiver antenna height was 

2 m. Measured results from this survey in England predict lower average path loss slope 

than those reported here. While predictions using the HATA model are higher than the 

Steele measurements, our survey measured still larger path loss slopes at all frequencies 

predicted using the HATA model. In fairness to the HATA model, in both cases the 

model is applied beyond its original frequency range. In addition, there is a strong 

dependence on measurement environment and survey geometry that makes comparison 

of measurements collected in different environments difficult. 

Our data were collected simultaneously at the same measurement points and the relative 

nature of our results is consistent for different routes in our survey. Given this, the 

average value of the relative measurements should be applicable to urban areas. 

17
Table 5. Lb Slopes for Three Routes in the Downtown Area of Denver, CO 

∆Lb /∆ r (dB/decade) 

Route 430 MHz 1350 MHz 2260 MHz 5750 MHz

S1R1 45.1 57.7 54.3 59.1

S1R2/urban 40.4 46.1 48.0 49.1

S2R1 42.3 48.8 47.9 52.7

Average 42.6 50.8 50.1 53.6

Table 6. Summary of Attenuation Slopes for Three Routes in the Downtown Area of Denver, CO 

∆A (dB/decade)

Route 430 MHz 1350 MHz 2260 MHz 5750 MHz

S1R1 25.1 37.7 34.3 39.1

S1R2/urban 20.4 26.1 28.0 29.0

S2R1 22.3 28.8 27.9 32.7

Average 22.6 30.9 30.1 33.6

Table 7. Lb Slopes Measured at 1850 MHz in an Urban Area of Southern England and 

Predictions Made Using the Hata Model 

Antenna Height (m) Measured ∆Lb

(dB/decade) 

Hata Slope 

(dB/decade) 

Slope Difference 

(dB/decade) 

14 24.6 37.4 -12.8

11.4 29.8 38 -8.2

8.9 34.5 38.7 -4.2

6.4 36.3 39.6 -3.6

5.4 Lognormal Statistics 

The path loss slope is used to describe the average signal loss versus distance, and the 

probability of receiving a signal at this average level is described statistically. It has been 

observed that variability of communication signals above or below the average signal or 

local mean can be described using a lognormal distribution with a standard deviation σ

[6]. Both of the metrics, Lb and σ, have been observed to be dependent upon the 

environment and frequency of the radio signal. To verify that our data follows this 

observed trend, the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the difference between the 

measured basic transmission loss and the mean path loss is plotted on lognormal 

probability paper in Figures 16 and 17. By using lognormal probability paper the CDF 

will be linear if the data is normally distributed around the local mean. On both figures, 

the data follows the lognormal trend line. The slope of these graphs is equal to the 

standard deviation (σ) of the distribution. In Figure 16 the data for the urban high-rise 

route (S2R1) is plotted and σ varies from 4.6 at 430 MHz, 4.4 at 1350 MHz, 5.3 at 2260 

MHz, and 5.9 at 5750 MHz. These results are similar to measurements reported in Tokyo 

by Okumura [7] and in London by Ibrahim [8]. Okumura found σ varied between 3 dB 

and 7 dB. Ibrahim measured σ’s of 5 dB at 168 MHz, 5.65 dB at 455 MHz, and 6.4 dB at 

900 MHz. In Figure 16 (urban high-rise), we see increasing σ with frequency and higher 

values than in Figure 17, which has data from an urban low-rise area as well as a large 

18
open boulevard. In this area we see lower values of σ ranging from 3.3 to 4.2 dB but with 

no trend versus frequency. 

Figure 16. Basic transmission loss distribution about the local mean plotted on lognormal paper 

for the urban high-rise (S2R1) environment in downtown Denver, CO. Data for four 

frequencies are plotted: (a) 5750 MHz, (b) 2260 MHz, (c) 1350 MHz, and 

(d) 430 MHz. 

Figure 17. Basic transmission loss distribution about the local mean plotted on lognormal paper 

for an urban low-rise (S1R1) environment near downtown Denver, CO. Data for four 

19
frequencies are plotted: (a) 5750 MHz, (b) 2260 MHz, (c) 1350 MHz, and 

(d) 430 MHz. 

5.5 Delay Statistics 

S values versus GPS coordinates are displayed in map view in Figures B1-B4. For 

quantitative analysis the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of delay spreads is used. 

In Figures 18 and B25-B29 the CDF’s for different drive routes at the four frequencies 

are plotted. The CDF’s allow one to determine the percentage of signals whose delay 

spread is larger than the abscissa value. We can see that lower frequencies exhibit a 

higher probability of larger delay spreads on all routes, especially in the urban areas such 

as in sector 1 route 2 and in sector 2. 

The smaller delay spreads indicate that the high frequency reflected signals were 

attenuated and fell below the 20 dB cutoff used for delay spread calculations. 

Figure 18. Cumulative distribution of delay spreads, sector 1 route 1, 430-5750 MHz. 

On Figure 19 we have plotted the median S for different drive routes and the average 

median S for all routes. The 10% quantile data for S is plotted on Figure B30. In both 

figures we see a trend indicating an almost linear decrease in S over the decade of 

measurement frequencies. This trend is clearer for the average value of S over all drive 

routes than the readings for individual drive routes. Delay spread and maximum delay 

values are summarized at these two quantiles in Tables 8 and 9. We see that the average 

median delay spread decreased from 0.7 to 0.27 μs between 430 MHz and 5750 MHz.

The maximum delay is less predictable but also appears to decrease at increased 

frequency. 

20
Table 8. Delay Spread Cumulative Distribution Summary at 50% and 10% Quantiles by Drive 

Routes with Averages 

Ordinate 

Exceeded 

S (μs) 50% S (μs) 10%

Frequency 

(MHz) 

430 1350 2260 5750 430 1350 2260 5750

S1R1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.1 .95 0.6 0.8 .35

S1R2 0.9 .85 0.8 0.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.0

S2R1 0.8 .75 0.7 0.4 1.2 1.3 1.2 0.7

Average 0.7 0.6 0.6 .27 1.2 1.1 1.1 .68

 

Table 9. Maximum Delay Cumulative Distribution Summary at 50% and 10% Quantiles by

Drive Route with Averages 

Ordinate 

Exceeded 

Maximum Delay 50% Maximum Delay 10% 

Frequency 

(MHz) 

430 1350 2260 5750 430 1350 2260 5750

S1R1 5.5 4.0 4.0 3.0 14 9.5 12 6.0

S1R2 9.0 9.0 9.0 6.0 13 12 12.5 7.5

S2R1 8.5 8.0 7.0 4.0 11 11 10 6.0

Average 7.7 7.0 9.0 6.7 13 11 11 6.5

21
Figure 19. Median delay spreads versus frequency for each sector and route. 

6. CONCLUSIONS 

Data from a propagation survey in Denver were analyzed to determine the relative 

propagation impairments over the decade of frequencies from 430 MHz to 5750 MHz. 

Wideband received power data were analyzed to determine the path loss slope increase as 

the carrier frequency was increased in an urban mobile setting. The data were also 

analyzed to determine if Lb was normally distributed about the average path loss and what 

the deviation was. It was found that the path loss slope on average increased from 43 to 

54 dB/decade between 430 and 5750 MHz in an urban environment. The average 

increase in path loss slope between 2260 and 5750 MHz was 3.5 dB and ranged from 1 to 

5 dB. The data were normally distributed and σ ranged between 3 and 6 dB, consistent 

with previously reported measurements. In contrast to this trend, the delay spread 

decreased at higher frequencies. It was found that the median delay spread decreased 

from 0.7 μs to 0.3 μs and the 10% exceedance quantile decreased from 1.2 μs to 0.8 μs 

indicating a 35% to 60% decrease in delay spread. This decrease in delay spread is 

beneficial for high data rate transmissions and could offset the propagation impairments 

caused by larger path loss and power amplifier limitations at high frequency. 

22
7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

I would like to thank NTIA for supporting this research. I would also like to acknowledge 

Lucas Howell. Lucas was a summer intern at ITS between his junior and senior years at 

the University of Wyoming. He developed many of the computer processing programs 

used to analyze the propagation data in this report. 

23
8. REFERENCES 

[1] J.A. Wepman, J.R. Hoffman, L.H. Loew and V.S. Lawrence, “Comparison of 

wideband propagation in the 902-928 and 1850-1990 MHz bands in various 

macrocellular environments,” NTIA Report 93-299, Sep. 1993. 

[2] P.F. Wilson, P.B. Papazian, M.G. Cotton, and Y. Lo, “Advanced antenna test bed 

characterization for wideband wireless communications,” NTIA Report 99-369, 

Aug. 1999. 

[3] P.B. Papazian, Y. Lo, J.J. Lemmon and M.J. Gans, “Measurements of channel 

transfer functions and capacity calculations for a 16x16 BLAST array over a 

ground plane,” NTIA Report TR-03-403, Jun. 2003. 

[4] D. Parsons, The Mobile Radio Propagation Channel, NY: Halsted Press, 1994, 

pp.149-153. 

[5] R. Steele, Mobile Radio Communications, Piscataway, NJ: IEEE Press, 1995, 

pp.160-163.

 

[6] D.O. Redunk, “Comparison of radio transmissions at X-band frequencies in 

suburban and urban areas,” IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, AP-20, pp. 

470-473, 1972. 

[7] Y. Okumura, “Field strength and its variability in VHF and UHF land mobile 

radio service,” Review Elec. Comm., Lab., 16, No. 9-10, pp. 825-873, 1968. 

[8] M.F. Ibrahim, “Signal strength prediction for mobile radio communications in 

built up areas,” Ph.D thesis, University of Birmingham, 1981. 

 

24
APPENDIX A: DATA FILE SUMMARY 

A list of the data files grouped by sector and drive route is given in Table A1. Each data 

file contains four channels of data, one for each carrier frequency. Text data files separate 

data for urban and mixed urban sections of sector 1 route 2. 

Table A1. Raw Data File Information 

Sector Route Transmitter

Boresight 

File 

1 1 (Speer Blvd Southbound) S45°E 507-516.br 

1 1 (Speer Blvd Northbound) S45°E 517-524.br 

1 2 S45°E 525-625.br

2 1 N45°E 628-690.br

1 2 (urban, Speer East Side) S45°E Freq_urban.txt 

1 2 (mixed, Speer West Side) S45°E Freq_mixed.txt 

25
APPENDIX B: FIGURES 

Figure B1. Measured delay spread (S) at 430 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

Figure B2. Measured delay spread (S) at 1350 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

26
Figure B3. Measured delay spread (S) at 2260 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

Figure B4. Measured delay spread (S) at 5750 MHz all routes for downtown Denver, CO. 

27
Figure B5. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 430 MHz. 

Figure B6. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 1350 MHz. 

28
Figure B7. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 2260 MHz. 

Figure B8. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 1, at 5750 MHz. 

29
Figure B9. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, mixed urban low-rise and 

urban high-rise, at 430 MHz. 

Figure B10. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, mixed urban low-rise and 

urban high-rise, at 1350 MHz. 

30
Figure B11. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, mixed urban low-rise and 

urban high-rise, at 2260 MHz. 

Figure B12. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, mixed urban low-rise and 

urban high-rise, at 5750 MHz. 

31
Figure B13. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban, at 430 MHz. 

Figure B14. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban, at 1350 MHz. 

32
Figure B15. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban, at 2260 MHz. 

Figure B16. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban, at 5750 MHz. 

33
Figure B17. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban mixed, at 430 MHz. 

Figure B18. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban mixed, at 1350 MHz. 

34
Figure B19. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban mixed, at 2260 MHz. 

Figure B20. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 1 route 2, urban mixed, at 5750 MHz. 

35
Figure B21. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 2 route1, urban high-rise, 430 MHz. 

Figure B22. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 2 route 1, urban high-rise, 1350 MHz. 

36
Figure B23. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 2 route1, urban high-rise, 2260 MHz. 

Figure B24. Basic transmission loss versus distance, sector 2 route1, urban high-rise, 5750 MHz. 

37
Figure B25. Cumulative distribution of delay spreads, sector 1 route 2, 430-5750 MHz. 

Figure B26. Cumulative distribution of delay spreads, sector 2 route 1, 430-5750 MHz. 

38
Figure B27. Cumulative distribution of the maximum delay, sector 1 route 1. 

Figure B28. Cumulative distribution of the maximum delay, sector 1 route 2. 

39
Figure B29. Cumulative distribution of the maximum delay, sector 2 route 1. 

Figure B30. Delay spread not exceeded 90% of the time versus frequency for all drive routes. 

40
FORM NTIA-29 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

(4-80) NAT’L. TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION 

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA SHEET 

1. PUBLICATION NO. 

TR-04-407 

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Accession No. 

5. Publication Date

December 2003 

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 

Relative Propagation Impairments Between 430 MHz and 5750 MHz for Mobile

Communication Systems in Urban Environments 6. Performing Organization 

Code 

NTIA/ITS.T 

7. AUTHOR(S) 

Peter Papazian and Michael Cotton 

9. Project/Task/Work Unit No. 

3108000 300 

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 

National Telecommunications & Information Administration 

Institute for Telecommunication Sciences 

325 Broadway

Boulder, CO 80305 

10. Contract/Grant No. 

11. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 

NTIA, Herbert C. Hoover Bldg. 

14th & Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20230 

12. Type of Report and Period 

Covered 

14. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 

15. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a 

significant bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) 

Radiowave propagation measurements made in an urban area of Denver, Colorado, are described. Wideband, 

impulse response measurements were made at 4 carrier frequencies from 430 MHz to 5750 MHz. These 

measurements were made using a mobile measurement van to characterize the mobile communications environment.

Basic transmission loss and delay spread are characterized by analysis of the path loss slope and delay spread 

statistics. By analyzing the results versus carrier frequency the relative propagation impairments for communication 

systems at 430, 1350, 2260 and 5750 MHz are compared. It was found that the path loss slope increased on average 

by 11 dB/decade and the delay spread decreased from 33% to 65% over the decade of frequencies measured. 

16. Key Words (Alphabetical order, separated by semicolons) 

basic transmission loss; delay spread; impulse response; path loss; radiowave propagation; urban environment

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