Assessment and Development of Path Loss Propagation Model for Ikire Metropolis, Nigeria

Aksaray University Journal of Science and Engineering e-ISSN: 2587-1277 http://dergipark.gov.tr/asujse http://asujse.aksaray.edu.tr Aksaray J. Sci. Eng. Volume 5, Issue 1, pp. 20-35. doi: 10.29002/asujse.749536 Available online at Research Article Assessment and Development of Path Loss Propagation Model for Ikire Metropolis, Nigeria Jide J. Popoola* Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, School of Engineeering and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ▪Received Date: Jun 8, 2020 ▪Revised Date: Jun 15, 2021 ▪Accepted Date: Mar 25, 2021 ▪Published Online: Apr 21, 2021 Abstract The aim of this paper is to assess and develop path loss propagation model for terrestial radio broadcasting station in Ikire, Nigeria. In carrying out the study, the reception quality of Osun State Corporation (OSBC) broadcast signal strength within Ikire metropolis in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria was assessed using BC1173 Field Strength meter. The data obtained from the signal strength measurements around the metropolis were subsequently analysed and used for the development of an ideal propagation path loss model for the metropolis. The developed path loss model for the metropolis was evaluated and found to outperform the COST-231 Hata model in literature. The comparative performance evaluation result of the developed model and the COST-231 Hata model buttresses the need for developing different path loss models for different radio signals in different locations under different environmental factors. In addition, the finding of the study establishes a standard propagation path loss model that can be used for planning and designing efficient wireless communication link for terrestrial radio broadcasting station in the metropolis and any other environments with similar environmental factors. Keywords Radiowave, Path loss, Radiowave propagation, Radio propagation model * Corresponding Author: Jide J. Popoola, 0000-0001-9353-4447 2017-2021©Published by Aksaray University 20 Jide J. Popoola (2021). Aksaray University Journal of Science and Engineering, 5(1), 20-35. 1. INTRODUCTION Radiowave is a form of electromagnetic wave that travels through the space from the transmitter or sending end to the receiver or receiving end via the channel. The behaviour of radiowaves when transmitting from transmitter to receiver is known as radio propagation. Generally, radiowaves or broadcast signals during propagation are prone to losses due to many factors such as absorption, reflection, diffraction, refraction, polarization and scattering [1-3]. Similarly, daily variation in the quantity of water vapour present in the troposphere as well as the qunatity of ionization in the upper atmosphere as a result of sun does contribute to signal degradation. Generally, during radiowave propagation, signal degradation or reduction in signal strength usually occurs due to path loss, which according to [4] is a key element in testing and designing of the link budget of a wireless system. Path loss, by simple definition is a reduction experienced by an electromagnetic wave during transmission from a transmitter to a receiver in a communication system. It is a phenomenon that occurs when the broadcast signal received becomes weak with respect to increase in distance between transmitter and receiver. Apart from absorption, reflection, diffraction, refraction, polarization, scattering and propagation medium (dry or moist air), path loss also occurs as a result of terrain contours, environment (urban or rural, vegetation and foliage), the distance between the transmitter and the receiver, and the height and location of antennas [5-7]. Thus, path loss encountered along any radio link serves as the dominant factor for characterization of propagation for the link. Thus, according to [6], radio propagation model is an emprical mathematical formulation for the classification of radiowave propagation as function of distance, frequency and other conditions that regulates the behaviour of radio signal in a given transmission channel. Since individual wireless communication system encounters different terrain, obstructions and atmospheric conditions based on where they are propagated, it is not sufficient to formulate a single mathematical equation to model all factors in all environs and terrains [8, 9]. Hence, in order to improve the strength of the transmitted signal in wireless channel, there is need to evaluate the path loss introduced by a terrain to adequately compensate for the signal power loss during signal transmission. This makes received signal path loss prediction models essential in wireless communication. As reported in [10], accurate path loss predictions models are used to find broadcast signal gaps and areas with poor serviceability. This accounts for why path loss propagation models are essential in signal prediction, planning, coverage and optimization. Furtheremore, path loss propagation models are also being used for interference Aksaray J. Sci. Eng. 5:1 (2021) 20-35 21 Jide J. Popoola (2021). Aksaray University Journal of Science and Engineering, 5(1), 20-35. analysis in order to ensure coexistence between services especially in cellular or mobile communication systems, fixed wireless access system and radio and television broadcasting [11]. Therefore, in this study, path loss prediction approach was employed in determining the coverage efficiency of OSBC in Ikire metropolis of Osun State so that the primary aim of establishing OSBC in disseminating socio-economic quality information with quality reception potential to all the dwellers of the state can be achieved. However due to the poor reception of OSBC radio signal in the metropolis, this study was embarked upon with aims of: (i) assessing the behavioural pattern of the station’s signal in the metropolis; and (ii) developing a path loss model that can improve the station signal reception and any other similar locations with similar terrain in other parts of the world. In achieving these primary aims, the following objectives were set. One, to conduct signal field strength measurement of OSBC radio signal in the metropolis. Two, to develop a unique radiowave propagation model for the metropolis based on data obtained from objective one. Three, to evaluate the performance of the developed radiowave propagation model in objective two. In ensuring chronological and coherent presentation of the study, the remaining parts of this paper are organised as follows. In Section 2, brief review of some related studies on radiowave propagation and path loss models were presented. In Section 3, the methodology involved in carrying out this study was presented. The results obtained were presented and discussed in Section 4. The conclusion was presented in Section 5, which is the last section of the paper. 2. REVIEW OF RADIOWAVE PROPAGATION AND PATH LOSS MODELS Radiowave propagation as d (...truncated)