SEASONAL VARIATION OF MOBILE RADIO PROPAGATION CHARACTERISTICS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS AND ENVIRONS: A CASE STUDY OF MTN AND AIRTEL
SEASONAL VARIATION OF MOBILE RADIO PROPAGATION CHARACTERISTICS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS AND ENVIRONS: A CASE STUDY OF MTN AND AIRTEL
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Date
2011-04
Authors
OLUSOLA, OYESOLA OLAYINKA
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
This research investigated the effects of greater ground conductivity and increased
foliage on mobile networks. The wet season is known to be characterised by greater
ground conductivity and increased foliage due to the increased moisture content.
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) signal strength measurements of
two networks were taken during the dry season at particular points and these
measurements were repeated during the rainy season. These data were then processed
to determine the relationship between the signal strength and ground conductivity and
foliage. To ensure greater accuracy of results, two networks (Airtel and MTN) were
evaluated. Furthermore, signal strength measurements were conducted in rural areas
around Kaduna. The results obtained were compared with those of Kaduna Metropolis.
GSM signals were discovered to suffer greater losses during the rainy season due to
increased foliage and greater ground conductivity. Losses of between 5 dBm and 10
dBm were observed in rural/suburban areas while the losses observed in the
metropolis were between 0dB and 4 dBm. These losses, though not significant in
urban areas, were quite significant in the rural/suburban areas. An inverse
relationship was also established between increased foliage/greater ground
conductivity and GSM signal strength within a particular environment. Finally, the
results obtained were compared with the Wiessberger and Iternational
Telecommunication Union (ITU) models and reasonable agreement with these foliage
models was observed.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the
Degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering.
Keywords
SEASONAL, VARIATION, MOBILE, RADIO, PROPAGATION, CHARACTERISTICS, KADUNA, METROPOLIS, ENVIRONS:, CASE STUDY, MTN, AIRTEL