Path Loss Models for Cellular Mobile Networks Using Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Different Environments

Abstract

One of the most critical problems in a communication system is losing information between the transmitter and the receiver. WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability of Microwave Access) technology is gaining popularity and recognition as a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) solution. At frequencies below 11 GHz, WiMAX can operate in line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. The implementation of WiMAX networks are rushed worldwide. Estimating path loss is crucial in the early stages of wireless network deployment and cell design. To anticipate propagation loss, several path loss models are available (e.g., Okumura Model Hata Model), but they are all bound by particular parameters. In this paper, we propose an MLP neural network-based path loss model with a well-structured implementation network design and grid search-based hyperparameter tuning. The proposed model optimally approximates mobile and base station path losses. Therefore, neurons number, learning rate, and hidden layers number are investigated to obtain the best model in terms of prediction accuracy. Path loss data is collected based on 14 networks in different microcellular settings. Simulations under Matlab environment showed that prediction errors were lower than standard log-distance-based path loss models.

Keywords

• mobile networks
• prediction models
• urban
• suburban and rural environments
• artificial neural networks