Optimised COST-231 Hata Models for WiMAX Path Loss Prediction in Suburban and Open Urban Environments

In Malaysia, the incumbent WiMAX operator utilises the bands of 2360-2390MHz to provide broadband services. Like all Radio Frequency (RF), WiMAX is susceptible to path loss. In this paper, field strength data collected in Cyberjaya, Malaysia is used to calculate the path loss suffered by the WiMAX signals. The measured path loss is compared with the theoretical path loss values estimated by the COST-231 Hata model, the Stanford University Interim (SUI) model and the Egli model. The best model to estimate the path loss based on the path loss exponents was determined to be the COST-231 Hata model. From this observation, an optimised model based on COST-231 Hata parameters is developed to predict path loss for suburban and open urban environments in the 2360-2390MHz band. The optimised model is validated using standard deviation error analysis, and the results indicate that the new optimised model predicts path loss in both suburban and open urban environments with very low standard deviation errors of less than 4.3dB and 1.9dB respectively. These values show that the model optimisation was done successfully and that the new optimised models will be able to determine the path loss suffered by the WiMAX signals more accurately. The optimised model may be used by telecommunication providers to improve their service.