DOI: 10.5061/dryad.ttdz08m8r
title: Sionna ray tracing vs. real-world measurements: Signal strength comparison in rural scenarios with foliage

description: This dataset contains received signal strength (RSS) simulation results
 generated using NVIDIA Sionna's ray tracing, along with real-world
 UAV-based measurements collected at the NSF AERPAW testbed. The UAV
 follows a predefined trajectory in a rural environment, transmitting
 signals to five ground-based towers equipped with dual-channel USRP B210
 devices. Corresponding ray tracing simulations are conducted using
 identical trajectory and transceiver settings. The dataset includes three
 main components: (1) raw GPS and RSS measurements, (2) ray tracing
 simulation outputs, and (3) post-processed data aligned for direct
 comparison. MATLAB scripts are provided to support trajectory
 visualization, RSS calibration, and comparative analysis. This dataset
 enables studies in RF propagation modeling, validation of ray tracing
 simulations, and rural coverage analysis for UAV communication systems.
description: ## Sionna ray tracing vs. real-world measurements: Signal strength
 comparison in rural scenarios with foliage ## Description of the data and
 file structure We use the NVIDIA Sionna ray tracing tool for RF signal
 strength analysis in rural scenarios with foliage. To verify the results,
 we use real-world measurement data in the **NSF AERPAW Testbed**. The UAV
 flies over the predefined trajectory and five towers (LW1 ~ LW5) in the
 test bed receive (B210, dual channel USRP) the transmitted signal from the
 UAV. The Sionna ray tracing is conducted using the same trajectory as the
 measurement campaign. More information about the simulation setups and ray
 tracing scenarios is available at
 [https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.10324](https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.10324).
 **Dataset Structure** Note: Datasets are annotated as D (ex., D1, D2, ...)
 and Scripts are annotated as C (ex,. C1, C2, ...) **List of files** *
 `D1_RSS_Measurements` * `D2_RT_RSS_results_data.mat` *
 `D3_RT_Measurement_RSS_postprocessed_data.mat` *
 `C1_trajectory_altitude.m` * `C2_RSS_postprocessing.m` *
 `C3_RSS_comparison.m` **Descriptions** 1. `D1_RSS_Measurements` This
 folder includes GPS and received signal strength (RSS) measurements from
 the AERPAW testbed. This folder separately has five sub-folders for
 measurements from five different towers (LW1 ~ LW5). 2.
 `D2_RT_RSS_results_data.mat` This mat file includes ray tracing results
 from NVIDIA Sionna. Propagation delay and path gain are stored in this mat
 file. 3. `D3_RT_Measurement_RSS_postprocessed_data.mat` This mat file
 includes post-processed (plot-ready) RSS results of 1) Sionna ray tracing
 results; 2) USRP measurements (calibrated, channel 1); and 3) USRP
 measurements (calibrated, channel 2). 4. `C1_trajectory_altitude.m` This
 script plots the predefined trajectory and altitude over time of the UAV
 in the measurement campaign. `D1_RSS_Measurements` is required. 5.
 `C2_RSS_postprocessing.m` This script is for post-processing for Sionna
 and dual-channel USRP measurement results. The output of this script is
 `D3_RT_Measurement_RSS_postprocessed_data.mat`. It includes RSS
 calculation and calibration procedures for Sionna ray tracing results and
 USRP measurements, respectively. 6. `C3_RSS_comparison.m` This script is
 for plotting RSS results of 1) Sionna ray tracing results; 2) USRP
 measurements (calibrated, channel 1); and 3) USRP measurements
 (calibrated, channel 2). The script plots five subfigures to show
 separately the results from five different towers. **Key Variables** In
 `D3_RT_Measurement_RSS_postprocessed_data.mat`, the variable `LWs` is a
 5x1 cell array, where each cell contains: 1. `time_reference` – Elapsed
 time in seconds 2. `RSS_arr_plot` – Simulated RSS from Sionna (in dBm) 3.
 `RSS1_offset` – Calibrated measured RSS from USRP channel 1 (in dBm) 4.
 `RSS2_offset` – Calibrated measured RSS from USRP channel 2 (in dBm)
 **More Information**
 [https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.10324](https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.10324)
 **Required/Recommended Software for the Dataset** MATLAB (the dataset is
 based on MATLAB R2024a version)