MODULE III

STATISTICAL MULTIPATH CHANNEL MODELS

MODULE III STATISTICAL MULTIPATH CHANNEL MODELS

Small-Scale Multipath Propagation, Impulse response model of

channel, Types of small- scale fading, Rayleigh and Ricean distribution,
Statistical models for multipath fading channels.
Topics Slide No
Small-Scale Multipath Propagation
Impulse response model of channel
Types of small- scale fading, Rayleigh and Ricean distribution,
Rayleigh distribution
Ricean distribution
Statistical models for multipath fading channels
Small-Scale Multipath
Propagation
Multipath Propagation
• Multipath Propagation is a phenomenon
in wireless communication where
transmitted signals reach the receiving
antenna by multiple paths.
• These paths may include direct line-of-
sight, as well as reflections, diffractions,
and scattering from buildings, trees,
water bodies, and other obstacles.
• This causes the receiver to receive
multiple copies of the same signal at
different times, phases, and amplitudes
Small-Scale Multipath Propagation
• Small-Scale Multipath Propagation
refers to rapid fluctuations in signal
strength and phase over short distances
or time periods due to interference from
multiple paths taken by the signal in the
communication channel.
• This type of propagation occurs when the
dimensions of the environment (such as
the distance between the transmitter
and receiver or the size of obstacles
causing reflections) are small relative to
the wavelength of the transmitted signal.
Important effects of small-scale multipath
propagation
• Fast Fading: Small-scale multipath propagation causes rapid variations
in signal strength (amplitude) over very short distances or time
periods. This is also known as fast fading or Rayleigh fading when
there is no line-of-s
• Doppler shift : Movement of the transmitter, receiver, or surrounding
objects causes a change in the frequency of the received signal,
known as the Doppler shift.
• Inter-symbol interference : Due to multiple signal paths with different
delays, the delayed versions of the signal can overlap with subsequent
signals, causing inter-symbol interference (ISI).
Important effects of small-scale
multipath propagation
• Signal Phase Shift : The phase of the received signal can change due
to the varying path lengths that the signal components travel.
• Multipath delay spread: The time difference between the arrival of
the earliest and latest multipath components is known as the
multipath delay spread.
• Frequency Selective Fading: Due to varying delays of different signal
components, certain frequencies may suffer more severe fading than
others.
Factors influencing small scale
fading
• Relative Motion Between Transmitter and Receiver: When the receiver
or transmitter is moving, the path lengths of the multipath components
change over time, causing rapid changes in the received signal's
amplitude and phase.
• Speed of Surrounding Objects: Objects like vehicles, people, or trees
moving around the communication path can reflect or scatter the
signal, causing changes in the multipath components.
• Frequency of the Transmitted Signal: The wavelength of the signal is
inversely proportional to its frequency. Higher frequency signals have
shorter wavelengths, making them more susceptible to small-scale
fading.
Factors influencing small scale
fading
• Nature of the Environment: The type and density of objects in the
environment (e.g., buildings, trees, walls, etc.) determine the number of
reflections, diffractions, and scattering events a signal undergoes.
• Distance Between Transmitter and Receiver: The distance between the
transmitter and receiver affects the number of multipath components
that reach the receiver.
• Antenna Characteristics: The type, gain, and orientation of the
transmitting and receiving antennas affect how the signals are
transmitted and received, impacting the degree of fading.
• Signal Bandwidth: The signal bandwidth relative to the coherence
bandwidth of the channel influences the fading type.
Doppler Shift
• Doppler Shift refers to the
change in the frequency of a
wave observed by a receiver
when there is relative motion
between the transmitter and the
receiver.
• This phenomenon occurs due to
the relative motion of the source
and the observer in relation to
the wave propagation medium.
Doppler Shift
Mph - Miles per hour
IMPULSE RESPONSE MODEL OF A
MULTIPATH CHANNEL
Impulse Response Model of a
Channel
• The Impulse Response Model of a Channel describes how a
communication channel responds to an impulse signal. This model is
essential in understanding the behavior of the channel in terms of
time dispersion, multipath propagation, and overall signal distortion.
Impulse Response Model of a
Channel
• The mobile radio channel is characterized by its variability over both time and
space. This variability arises due to the changing environment in which a
mobile device operates, the movement of the transmitter or receiver, and the
complex interaction between transmitted signals and objects in the
environment (like buildings, vehicles, and terrain).
Impulse Response Model of a
Channel
• Received signal

A causal system is a system in which

the output at any given time depends
only on the current and past input
values, and not on any future input
values.

• Distance : d=vt
 Impulse Response Model of a
Channel
Since v is constant
•
Impulse Response Model of a
Channel
Impulse Response Model of a
Channel
• Excess delay refers to the time difference between the arrival of the
earliest (or direct line-of-sight) signal component and the later-
arriving multipath components.

• Delay bins are discrete intervals of time used to categorize or "bin"

the multipath components based on their excess delay. Each bin
represents a specific range of delay times.
Impulse Response Model of a
Channel
• Excess delay bins specifically refer to these intervals beyond the
reference arrival time (often the time of the first arrival or the direct
path signal).

• Maximum Excess Delay is defined as the time interval between the

arrival of the first signal component and the last significant signal
component that exceeds a certain power threshold. This threshold is
typically chosen relative to the strongest received component (usually
the direct path or line-of-sight component).
 Impulse Response Model of a
Channel
Time-varying impulse
response
Impulse Response Model of a
Channel

A probing pulse is a short-duration signal used

in communication systems to analyze or
characterize the properties of a transmission
channel, particularly in environments where
multipath propagation is significant. It is often
used in time-domain measurements to study
how different components of a transmitted
signal arrive at the receiver over various paths.

The Power Delay Profile (PDP) is a statistical representation of

the power distribution of a received signal as a function of the
time delay of its multipath components. It provides crucial
information about the multipath propagation environment in
wireless communication systems and helps in understanding
how the signal's energy is spread over time due to reflections,
The received power delay profile in a local area is given by diffractions, and scattering.

K- Gain
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE
FADING
Small- scale fading
• Small-scale fading in wireless communication refers
to the rapid fluctuations in the amplitude, phase, or
multipath delays of a signal over short periods of
time or short travel distances.

• This phenomenon occurs due to the interference

between multiple signal paths caused by reflection,
scattering, and diffraction from objects in the
environment, such as buildings, trees, or vehicles.

• It results in signal fading over small areas, typically

on the order of a few wavelengths.
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
• Small-scale fading based on multipath time delay spread can be
categorized into two types:
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
Flat Fading:
• It occurs when the bandwidth of the transmitted signal is smaller than
the coherence bandwidth of the channel.
• It is common in narrowband communication systems where the
transmitted signal occupies a relatively small frequency range.
• The entire signal bandwidth experiences almost the same amount of
fading.
• There is no significant time dispersion (delay spread) of the multipath
components, resulting in minimal inter-symbol interference (ISI).
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
• Flat fading channel are also know as amplitude varying channels /
narrowband channel.
• In a flat fading environment, the entire signal bandwidth is affected
uniformly by the channel fading.
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING

• The channel gain changes over

time
• A change of amplitude occurs in
the received signal

Flat fading channel characteristics

TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
• Frequency-Selective Fading
• It occurs when the bandwidth of the transmitted signal is larger than
the coherence bandwidth of the channel.
• Different frequency components of the signal experience different
levels of fading.
• The multipath components arrive with different time delays, causing
time dispersion and resulting in inter-symbol interference (ISI).
• The channel introduces frequency-dependent distortion, affecting
some frequencies more than others.
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
• It is common in wideband communication systems where the
transmitted signal occupies a larger frequency range.

(rms delay spread)

TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING

Frequency selective fading channel characteristics

Feature Flat Fading Frequency-Selective Fading

Fading occurs uniformly across the entire signal Different parts of the signal bandwidth experience
Definition bandwidth. varying levels of fading.

Channel Coherence Bandwidth Larger than the signal bandwidth. Smaller than the signal bandwidth.

Effect on Signal All frequency components are equally affected. Different frequency components are affected
differently.

Time Dispersion (Delay Spread) Negligible or no time dispersion. Significant time dispersion due to multipath delays.

Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI) Minimal or no ISI. High ISI due to overlapping multipath components.

Amplitude Variation Uniform amplitude variations across the signal. Amplitude varies differently across different
frequency components.

Common in Narrowband communication systems. Wideband communication systems.

Simpler, since all frequencies are uniformly More complex, requires equalization to handle
Receiver Design Complexity affected. different fading across frequencies.

Examples Narrowband wireless channels like GSM, Wi-Fi Wideband channels like 4G LTE, Ultra-Wideband
(narrow channels). (UWB).
Flat Fading Vs Frequency-Selective
Fading
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
• Small-scale fading based on Doppler spread can be categorized into
two types:
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
• Fast fading
• Fast fading occurs when the coherence time of the channel is smaller than
the symbol duration of the transmitted signal.
• Characteristics:
• The channel characteristics change rapidly within the duration of a single
symbol.
• Caused by high relative motion between the transmitter and receiver, or due
to fast-moving objects in the environment, leading to a high Doppler spread.
• Results in rapid fluctuations in the received signal amplitude, phase, and
frequency.
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
• Effects: The signal may experience deep fades over short periods, and
error rates can increase significantly.
• Scenario: Common in scenarios with high mobility, such as cellular
networks in vehicles or high-speed trains.

Where
Ts – Symbol Time
Tc – Coherence time
Bs – Symbol bandwidth
Bd – Coherence bandwidth
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
Slow fading
• Slow fading occurs when the coherence time of the channel is larger
than the symbol duration of the transmitted signal.
Characteristics:
• The channel characteristics change slowly over time, and multiple symbols
experience nearly the same channel conditions.
• Caused by relatively slow-moving objects or low relative motion between the
transmitter and receiver, resulting in a low Doppler spread.
• Results in gradual changes in the received signal amplitude, phase, and
frequency.
TYPES OF SMALL- SCALE FADING
• Effects: The signal variations are less severe, and the receiver has
more time to adapt to the changing channel conditions.
• Scenario: Common in scenarios with low mobility, such as stationary
or slowly moving users in a cellular network.

Where
Ts – Symbol Time
Tc – Coherence time
Bs – Symbol bandwidth
Bd – Coherence bandwidth
Feature Fast Fading Slow Fading

Fading occurs when the channel's coherence time is Fading occurs when the channel's coherence time is larger than the
Definition
smaller than the symbol duration. symbol duration.

Smaller than the symbol duration of the transmitted

Coherence Time Larger than the symbol duration of the transmitted signal.
signal.

High Doppler spread, indicating rapid changes in the

Doppler Spread Low Doppler spread, indicating slow changes in the channel.
channel.

Rapid variations in channel characteristics within a short

Channel Variation Slow variations in channel characteristics over a longer period.
period.

Causes rapid fluctuations in signal amplitude, phase, and

Effect on Signal Causes gradual fluctuations in signal amplitude, phase, and frequency.
frequency.

Higher likelihood of errors due to rapid changes, difficult Lower likelihood of errors; easier to compensate for due to slower
Interference
to track. changes.

High mobility environments (e.g., vehicles, high-speed

Scenarios Low mobility environments (e.g., pedestrians, stationary users).
trains).

Requires fast adaptation and complex signal processing Requires less frequent adaptation; simpler processing techniques can
Receiver Adaptation
techniques. suffice.

More challenging to maintain a stable link; higher error

Impact on Communication Easier to maintain a stable link; lower error rates.
rates.
Rayleigh
distribution
Rayleigh distribution
• The Rayleigh distribution is a probability distribution used to model the
statistical behavior of the amplitude of a signal that has experienced
multipath propagation in wireless communication environments.

• It is particularly applicable in environments where there is no direct line-

of-sight (LOS) path between the transmitter and the receiver, meaning
the signal reaches the receiver primarily through multiple indirect paths
caused by reflection, scattering, and diffraction.
 Rayleigh distribution
• Rayleigh distribution – Probability density function

where:
• r is the amplitude of the received signal.
• σ is the standard deviation of the underlying Gaussian noise components.
• σ2 represents the variance of each of the Gaussian components (I and Q).
Rayleigh distribution
• The cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the Rayleigh
distribution gives the probability that a Rayleigh-distributed random
variable is less than or equal to a certain value.
• This is useful in wireless communication for determining the
likelihood that the received signal strength falls below a certain
threshold due to fading.
Rayleigh distribution
• Mean

• Variance

The Rayleigh distribution is fundamental in wireless

• Median communication for understanding and modeling
multipath fading environments. It describes scenarios
where signals are received via numerous indirect paths
due to reflection, diffraction, and scattering, which is
typical in dense urban or heavily obstructed areas.
Ricean
distribution
Ricean distribution
• The Ricean distribution is a probability distribution that models the
amplitude of a received signal when there is a direct line-of-sight
(LOS) path between the transmitter and the receiver, in addition to
multiple scattered paths due to reflections, diffractions, and
scattering.

• Unlike the Rayleigh distribution, which assumes no dominant LOS

component, the Ricean distribution accounts for environments where
both direct and indirect paths are present.
Ricean distribution
• The probability density function (PDF) of the Ricean distribution for a
random variable r is given by:

where:

r is the amplitude of the received signal.

σ is the standard deviation of the scattered components.
A is the amplitude of the LOS component.
Io (⋅) is the modified Bessel function of the first kind and order zero.
 Ricean distribution
• The Rice factor (or K-factor) is a key parameter that quantifies the
ratio of the power of the direct LOS path to the power of the
scattered multipath components. It is defined as:

where:
• A2 represents the power of the LOS component.
• σ2 represents the total power of the scattered components
High K-factor: Indicates a strong LOS path relative to the scattered components (e.g., open rural environments, direct
satellite links).
Low K-factor: Indicates a weak or negligible LOS path with significant scattered components (approaching Rayleigh
fading conditions).
Ricean distribution
Ricean distribution
• The cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the Ricean distribution
does not have a simple closed-form expression, but it can be
expressed in terms of the Marcum Q-function:

where
• Q1(⋅,⋅) is the Marcum Q-function of the first order.
Aspect Rayleigh Distribution Ricean Distribution

No direct Line-of-Sight component; occurs in NLOS Includes a Line-of-Sight component along with
Presence of Line-of-Sight (LOS)
environments. multipath fading.

Best suited for environments with rich scattering and no Used when a strong direct path (LOS) exists along
Fading Environment
dominant path. with scattered signals.

Probability density function (PDF) is defined by a single Depends on both the K-factor (ratio of LOS power
Distribution Function parameter, typically the root mean square (RMS) of the received to scattered power) and the power of the received
signal. signal.

Found in environments with both LOS and

Common in urban environments with dense buildings
Application scattered signals, such as open areas with a direct
obstructing the direct signal path.
transmission path.

Follows a Rayleigh probability model with no dominant path Combines a direct signal component with Rayleigh-
Signal Strength
component. like scattered signals.
Statistical models for multipath fading channels.
Statistical models for multipath fading channels.

• Statistical models for multipath fading

channels are used to describe how the
received signal amplitude and phase
change due to the effects of multipath
propagation in wireless communication
environments.
• These models help in understanding the
variations in signal strength and are
critical for designing reliable
communication systems.
• Statistical models for multipath fading
channels is
• Clarkes model for flat fading
• Simulation of Clarke and Gans fading model
Clarkes model for flat fading

• Clarke's model provides a mathematical representation of the

statistical behavior of a flat fading channel due to multipath
propagation.
• The key concept of Clarke's model is to describe how the received
signal varies over time due to the Doppler effect caused by relative
motion between the transmitter and receiver.
• Clarke's model provides a useful framework for simulating and
analyzing flat fading channels in wireless communication systems,
helping engineers to design and optimize communication systems that
can handle the variations in signal strength due to multipath effects.
Clarkes model for flat fading

Doppler shift
Clarkes model for flat fading
Clarkes model for flat fading
Clarkes model for flat fading
• E- field can be expressed in an in-phase and quadrature form
Clarkes model for flat fading

The random received signal envelop r has a Rayleigh distribution given by

Clarkes model for flat fading
• Spectral shape due to Doppler Spread in Clarkes Model.
The total received power
Clarkes model for flat fading
Clarkes model for flat fading
The Power Spectral density
Clarkes model for flat fading
• Simulation of Clarke and Gans Fading Model
Steps