Investigation of Path Loss of Mobile Radio Services at L-Band Frequency over Akure, South Western, Nigeria

As the migration of wireless communication network from one generation to another continue, radio wave propagation model or path loss model plays a very significant role in achieving an optimum performance as well as suitability over different locations of interest. In this research, investigation of radio communication channel behavior based on practical measurement in the L-band frequency in Akureone of the dense urban regions of southwestern part of Nigeria has been carried out. A total number of ten base stations of MTN GSM service located across several areas in Akure were monitored. Path loss and break point distances was deduced from the Received Signal Strength (RSS) and compared with some existing path loss models. The mean and Standard deviation (SD) of each path loss model and measured path loss were estimated and compared on environmental basis; urban and suburban. Based on the regression line (log-normal model) of the measured exponent, Erceg and Cost-231 Hata path loss models show great consistency when compared with Ericson’s model with Cost-231 Hata model showing the closest fit to the measured values. The results show that either the log-normal or Cost 231 Hata models may be used to estimate the path loss in mobile micro cell coverage in this region. Path loss exponents, break point distances for each location as well as fitted parameters for the suitable models were also derived. Information from this work will be useful for channel design of micro-wave band wireless access systems in this region and environs.