Propagation and Channel Models

Site and terrain visualization, propagation model specification (including Longley-Rice), signal strength, signal coverage maps, and static and fading channel models

RF path propagation modeling describes the behavior of electromagnetic radiation from a point of transmission as the signal travels through the surrounding environment. Model RF propagation paths and visualize them in 3-D.

Channel modeling describes the over-the-air environment in communications system links. Analysis of propagation and channel modelling is essential in understanding how electromagnetic waves incur losses from a transmitter to a receiver in different scenarios. Model and visualize noisy SISO and MIMO channels that have Rayleigh, Rician, or WINNER II fading profiles. Atmospheric impairments and multiple Doppler spectrum shapes are also available.

Functions

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RF Propagation

Map Data

`addCustomBasemap`	Add custom basemap
`addCustomTerrain`	Add custom terrain data (Since R2019b)
`removeCustomBasemap`	Remove custom basemap
`removeCustomTerrain`	Remove custom terrain data (Since R2019b)

Site

`show`	Show site in Site Viewer (Since R2019b)
`hide`	Hide site from Site Viewer (Since R2019b)
`distance`	Distance between sites (Since R2019b)
`angle`	Angle between sites (Since R2019b)
`elevation`	Elevation of site (Since R2019b)
`location`	Coordinates at distance and angle from site (Since R2019b)

Propagation and Visualization

`coverage`	Display or compute coverage map (Since R2019b)
`pattern`	Display antenna radiation pattern in Site Viewer (Since R2019b)
`sinr`	Display or compute signal-to-interference-plus-noise (SINR) ratio (Since R2019b)
`link`	Display or compute communication link status (Since R2019b)
`sigstrength`	Received signal strength (Since R2019b)
`raytrace`	Display or compute RF propagation rays (Since R2019b)
`los`	Display or compute line-of-sight (LOS) visibility status (Since R2019b)
`propagationModel`	Create RF propagation model (Since R2019b)
`pathloss`	Path loss of radio wave propagation (Since R2019b)

Path Loss

`cranerainpl`	RF signal attenuation due to rainfall using Crane model (Since R2020a)
`rainpl`	RF signal attenuation due to rainfall
`gaspl`	RF signal attenuation due to atmospheric gases
`fogpl`	RF signal attenuation due to fog and clouds
`fspl`	Free space path loss
`raypl`	Path loss and phase change for RF propagation ray (Since R2020a)
`buildingMaterialPermittivity`	Permittivity and conductivity of building materials (Since R2020a)
`earthSurfacePermittivity`	Permittivity and conductivity of earth surface materials (Since R2020a)

Coordinate System Transformations

`rangeangle`	Range and angle calculation (Since R2019b)
`global2localcoord`	Convert global to local coordinates (Since R2020a)
`local2globalcoord`	Convert local to global coordinates (Since R2020a)
`cart2sphvec`	Convert vector from Cartesian components to spherical representation (Since R2020a)
`sph2cartvec`	Convert vector from spherical basis components to Cartesian components (Since R2020a)

Channel Modeling

Channel Models

`awgn`	Add white Gaussian noise to signal
`bsc`	Binary symmetric channel
`stdchan`	Construct channel System object from set of standardized channel models

Channel Utilities

`channelDelay`	Channel timing delay (Since R2020a)
`convertSNR`	Convert SNR values (Since R2022a)
`ofdmChannelResponse`	Calculate OFDM channel response (Since R2023a)
`doppler`	Construct Doppler spectrum structure
`winner2.AntennaArray`	Create antenna array for WINNER II channel model
`winner2.dipole`	Calculate half-wavelength dipole field pattern for WINNER II channel model
`winner2.layoutparset`	WINNER II layout parameter configuration
`winner2.wim`	Generate channel coefficients using WINNER II channel model
`winner2.wimparset`	WINNER II model parameter configuration

Objects

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RF Propagation

Sites

`txsite`	Create RF transmitter site (Since R2019b)
`rxsite`	Create RF receiver site (Since R2019b)
`siteviewer`	Create Site Viewer (Since R2019b)
`arrayConfig`	Create phased array configuration (Since R2020b)

Propagation Models

`FreeSpace`	Free space propagation model (Since R2019b)
`Rain`	Rain propagation model (Since R2019b)
`Gas`	Gas propagation model (Since R2019b)
`Fog`	Fog propagation model (Since R2019b)
`CloseIn`	Close-in propagation model (Since R2019b)
`LongleyRice`	Longley-Rice propagation model (Since R2019b)
`RayTracing`	Ray tracing propagation model (Since R2019b)

Propagation Data

`propagationData`	Create RF propagation data from measurements (Since R2020a)
`comm.Ray`	Create RF propagation ray (Since R2020a)

Channel Modeling

Channel Models

`comm.AWGNChannel`	Add white Gaussian noise to input signal
`comm.RayTracingChannel`	Filter signal through multipath fading channel defined by propagation rays (Since R2020b)
`comm.RayleighChannel`	Filter input signal through multipath Rayleigh fading channel
`comm.RicianChannel`	Filter input signal through multipath Rician fading channel
`comm.MIMOChannel`	Filter input signal through MIMO multipath fading channel
`comm.WINNER2Channel`	Filter input signal through WINNER II fading channel
`comm.gpu.AWGNChannel`	Add white Gaussian noise to input signal with GPU

Channel Utilities

comm.ChannelFilter Filter signal using multipath gains at specified path delays (Since R2020b)

Blocks

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Path Loss

Free Space Path Loss

Apply free space path loss to complex signal

Channel Modeling

Channel Models

AWGN Channel	Add white Gaussian noise to input signal
Binary Symmetric Channel	Introduce binary errors
MIMO Fading Channel	Filter input signal through MIMO multipath fading channel
SISO Fading Channel	Filter input signal through SISO multipath fading channel

Channel Utilities

OFDM Channel Response

Calculate OFDM channel response (Since R2023a)

Topics

RF Propagation

Choose a Propagation Model
When to use the different propagation models based on frequency, type, and limitations.
RF Propagation and Visualization
Visualize coverage maps, SINR maps, and propagation paths in outdoor and indoor environments.
Ray Tracing for Wireless Communications
Ray tracing models predict propagation paths and corresponding losses using 3-D environment geometry and electromagnetic analysis.
Customize Buildings for Ray Tracing Analysis
Customize the buildings stored in an OpenStreetMap^® file and then perform ray tracing analysis on a scene created from the buildings. (Since R2023b)

Channel Modeling

AWGN Channel
Model channel and RF impairment characteristics.
Configure Eb/No for AWGN Channels with Coding
This example shows how to set the bit energy to noise density ratio (Eb/No) for communication links employing channel coding.
Using AWGN Channel Block for Coded Signals
When your simulation uses coding, the Eb/N0 setting for the AWGN channel must be adjusted by the coding rate to apply the desired signal to noise (SNR) ratio.
Fading Channels
Defining a fading channel object and applying it to a signal.
Channel Visualization
These channel modeling System objects and blocks in Communications Toolbox™ include an option to visualize the characteristics of a fading channel.
WINNER II Channel
Model the WINNER II channel using the WINNER II Channel Model for Communications Toolbox add-on.

Featured Examples

Indoor MIMO-OFDM Communication Link Using Ray Tracing

Perform ray tracing in an indoor environment and use the results to build a channel model for a link level simulation with the MIMO-OFDM technique.

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Visualize Antenna Coverage Map and Communication Links

Calculate and visualize signal strength between a transmitter and multiple receivers. The visualizations include an area coverage map and colored communication links. The example also shows selection of a directional antenna in order to achieve a communication link to a specific location.

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Urban Link and Coverage Analysis Using Ray Tracing

Use ray tracing to analyze communication links and coverage areas in an urban environment. Within the example:

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Analyze Communication Link for Aircraft over Seawater Using Ray Tracing

Use ray tracing to predict the path gain and signal strength of a radio link for an aircraft flying over seawater.

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GSM, CDMA and WiMAX Channel Models

Simulate multipath fading channels defined for GSM, EDGE, CDMA, and WiMAX wireless standards.

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Multipath Fading Channel

Use Rayleigh and Rician multipath fading channel System objects and their built-in visualization to model a fading channel and display the spectral characteristics of the channel.

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Multipath Fading Channel in Simulink

Simulate multipath Rayleigh and Rician fading channels by using the SISO Fading Channel block.

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HF Ionospheric Channel Models

Simulate High-Frequency (HF) ionospheric channels, based on the models described in Recommendation ITU-R F.1487.

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Simultaneous Simulation of Multiple Fading Channels with WINNER II Channel Model

Set up a system with multiple base stations, multiple mobile stations, and multiple MIMO downlinks from one BS sector to one MS.

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802.11ac Multiuser MIMO Precoding with WINNER II Channel Model

Transmit and receive processing for a IEEE^® 802.11ac™ multiuser downlink transmission over a WINNER II fading channel.

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Adjacent and Co-Channel Interference

Use PSK-modulated signals to show the effects of adjacent and co-channel interference on a transmitted signal.

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