Clutter attenuations in ICS TELECOM

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INDEX
1.- LINEAR AND FLAT ABSORPTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 3
2.- THE DIFFERENT MODES ......................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1

The dB/km mode .............................................................................................................................................. 4

2.2

The Flat + absorption mode ............................................................................................................................. 5

2.3

The Flat + diffraction mode .............................................................................................................................. 8

2.4

The User mode ................................................................................................................................................ 10

2.5

The Tuning mode ............................................................................................................................................ 13

2.6

The none mode ............................................................................................................................................... 15

2.7

The CCIR et UER modes ............................................................................................................................... 15

2.8

The "TSB-88" mode ............................................................................................................................................ 20

2.9

The "Indoor" option ........................................................................................................................................... 23

2.10

The "Indoor building additional" option ...................................................................................................... 25

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1.- LINEAR AND FLAT ABSORPTIONS

The first column is used to define the linear absorption in dB/km (a typical value is between 500 and 1000dB/km but
of course it depends on the materials, the frequency...
The second column is used to define flat absorption in dB.
For example, suppose that for a given clutter code 1000dB/km has been set in the first column and 3dB in the second
column. In that case, 3dB + 1000dB/km attenuation will be added during the calculation of the indoor coverage for
that code.

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2.- THE DIFFERENT MODES

2.1 The dB/km mode
The dB/km mode takes in account the linear and the flat absorption. The user sets the attenuation values and the
total clutter attenuation is calculated for the last clutter obstacle only.
In this mode, the field strength calculation is done on one side with the diffraction considerations and on the other
side with clutter attenuation. Then, the highest received value is returned.
Note that in the "dB/km" mode, the flat attenuation is taken into account only if the receiver is located inside a clutter
class that has a height higher than the receiving antenna, otherwise, the calculation takes in account only the
attenuations due to the diffraction.

Rx over ground spot option :

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2.2 The Flat + absorption mode

This option is considering a flat attenuation in dB each time the clutter class is crossed along the path. The user
chooses the attenuation values, for example, if 5dB "flat" attenuation has been set on clutter code 9 and if this code is
crossed 3 times along a given profile, the total clutter attenuation will be 15dB. This option is considered for a receiver
located anywhere (outdoor and indoor),meaning that the user can select the Rx over ground spot or Rx over
clutter.In this mode, like in the dB/km mode, the field strength calculation is done with the diffraction attenuation
and with clutter attenuation, then, it considers the best value.

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Rx over clutter option :

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Rx over ground spot option :

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2.3 The Flat + diffraction mode

This option is considering a flat attenuation in dB for the last obstacle and only if the receiver is inside a
clutter code. If the clutter obstacle is a building (from the BLG layer), the total attenuation value will be the flat
attenuation corresponding to the clutter plus the diffraction attenuation before entering in the building.
If the receiver is inside another clutter code, the received power will be the maximum of the diffracted path and the
diffracted path before the last clutter code plus the flat attenuation.
Rx over clutter option :

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Rx over ground spot option :

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2.4 The User mode

This option is considering a flat attenuation in dB but for the last clutter obstacle only and cannot be used with a BLG
layer. The user sets the attenuation values and the clutter attenuations are taken into account only if the receiver is
located over a clutter class that has a height different from 0. The total attenuation applied is the sum of the
diffraction on the last receiving point and the flat attenuation.

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Rx over clutter option :

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Rx over ground spot option :

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2.5 The Tuning mode

The attenuation values (flat, in dB) are calculated during an automatic correlation and cannot be used with a BLG
layer. They are taken into account only if the receiver is located inside a clutter class that has a height different from
0, and for the last clutter obstacle. The total attenuation applied is the sum of the diffraction on the last receiving
point and the flat attenuation.
This option is used when the user has performed a correlation between measurements and simulations and has
defined specifics attenuation values.
Rx over clutter option :

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Rx over ground spot option :

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2.6 The none mode

In this mode, no attenuation for clutter penetration is calculated and there is no propagation result inside clutter
obstacles.
2.7 The CCIR et UER modes
These options provide standard flat attenuation values extracted from broadcast standard (to be used in
combination of the ITU-R 370-7 propagation model). In these modes, the user can select the Rx over ground spot
or Rx over clutter option. The total attenuation applied is the sum of the diffraction on the receiving point and the
flat attenuation.
These modes are genearlly considered in medium resolution DTM, with a clutter layer and cannot be used
with a BLG layer.

Clutter attenuation used in the UER mode

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Rx over clutter option with CCIR attenuations :

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Rx over ground spot option with CCIR attenuations :

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Rx over clutter option with UER attenuations :

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Rx over ground spot option with UER attenuations :

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2.8 The "TSB-88" mode
This mode has to be used as recommended by the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, US) report "TSB-88-B" (Telecommunications Systems Bulletin 88-B). It defines flat attenuation values
as follows :

Clutter code

Attenuation (dB)
1
2
3
5
6
7
8
9

[30 - 50]
3
2
1
3
1
3
4
4

Frequency range(MHz)
[136-174] [220-222] [380-512]
3
3
3
3
3
4
9
9
10
8
9
12
3
3
3
14
15
16
15
16
17
14
14
15

[746-941]
5
18
10
25
3
20
20
20

The total attenuation applied is the sum of the diffraction on the last receiving point and the flat attenuation.
Note that clutter heights should be set to 0m in order to be not too pessimistic.
Notes
Two propagation models are recommended in TSB-88-B :
- The Okumura/Hata/Davidson model. TSB-88-B recommends the use of this model when terrain data is not
available but the operating environment is known (i.e., large or small city, suburban, or open environment).
Okumuras measurement results were given in terms of a set of curves of basic median attenuation relative
to free space in an urban area over semi-smooth terrain as a function of frequency and distance for a base
antenna height of 200 meters and a mobile station antenna height of 3 meters. Okumura also developed
correction curves for other environments, terrain, and antenna heights. The Okumura/Hata Model is a
computer model based on equations derived from Okumuras findings by Hata, for limited ranges of
frequency, distance and antenna heights for four types of environment, large and small city, suburban and
open. The Okumura/Hata/Davidson model uses equations extending ranges of frequency, distance and base
antenna height
- For detailed predictions using terrain data, TSB-88-B recommends the use of a two-ray model for line-of-sight
paths, and the Anderson 2D model for obstructed paths. As this model is not widely available, in some
applications of TSB-88-B, other more widely used models, such as Longley-Rice, based on NBS Technical Note
101, or Epstein-Peterson is also used.
TSB-88-B recommends that attenuation due to clutter be included where appropriate. Clutter losses are implicit in the
Okumura/Hata/Davidson model, whereas clutter must be added to the other propagation models. The clutter losses
are based on the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Land Use Land Cover (LULC) data and the National Land
Cover Dataset (NLCD).
Building and other expected losses or margins can be included in the interference analysis with any of the propagation
models.
TSB-88-B recommends using 30-meter terrain data, re-sampled at three arc second resolution. This is superior to the
original three arc second terrain data, as the re-sampled data has much better vertical accuracy than the original three
arc second data.

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Rx over clutter option:

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Rx over ground spot option:

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2.9 The "Indoor" option

This option is requiring a specific clutter layer where code numbers 12 to 18 are describing buildings with different
number of floors. The attenuations are calculated according to the COST recommendation and are also depending on
the frequency. The total attenuation applied is the sum of the diffraction on the last receiving point and the flat
attenuation. This option cannot be used with a BLG layer.
Rx over clutter option:

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Rx over ground spot option:

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2.10

The "Indoor building additional" option

This option can be used only with a BLG layer. It applies an additional flat attenuation in dB to the attenuation
calculated using one of the three following modes :
- "dB/km";
- "Flat + absorption";
- "Flat + diffraction".
For example, in flat + absorption mode and 5dB set for the indoor building additional attenuation :

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Rx over clutter option:

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Rx over ground spot option: