An optimization in computation time for the prediction of radio coverage zones

This paper presents a method which optimizes the computation time for radio coverage prediction, whatever propagation model is used. The principle consists in reducing, in comparison with classical techniques, the number of application points of a propagation model. The proposed method is based on a multiresolution analysis of measured signals operating at 1.8 GHz and on an electromagnetic analysis of the propagation environment. The method is compared with a classical technique and is evaluated in terms of a reduction in computation time and of an increase in accuracy. Satisfactory results were obtained for microcells and small cells, and gains in computation time, with values close to 3 and 80, were achieved for scalar and vectorial models, respectively. As 90% of the estimation errors relating to the received signal level are less than 2.2 dB, a high level of accuracy was also assured.