User's Manual

PN 8700-10 Help Hot Line (U.S. only): 1-800-530-9960 8-21
620003-0
PRELIMINARY Coverage Distance
8.2.2 Coverage Distance
Equations (1) and (2), on pages 8-19 and 8-20, respectively, can be used to estimate
the distance from the antenna to where the RF signal decreases to the minimum
acceptable level at the wireless device.
Equation (2) can be simplified to:
PL(d) = 20log(4πf/c) + PLSlog(d) (3)
where PLS (path loss slope) is chosen to account for the building’s environment.
Because different frequencies penetrate partitions with different losses, the value of
PLS will vary depending on the frequency.
Table 8-17 shows estimated path loss slope (PLS) for various environments that have
different “clutter” (i.e., objects that attenuate the RF signals, such as walls, partitions,
stairwells, equipment racks, etc.)
For simplicity, Equation (3) can be used to estimate the coverage distance of an
antenna that is connected to an RAU, for a given path loss, frequency, and type of
in-building environment.
Table 8-17 Estimated Path Loss Slope for Different In-Building Environments
Facility
PLS for
800/900 MHz
PLS for
1800/1900 MHz
Manufacturing 35 32
Hospital 39.4 38.1
Airport 35 32
Retail 36.1 33.1
Warehouse 35 32
Parking Garage 33.7 30.1
Office: 80% cubicle/20% hard wall 36.1 33.1
Office: 50% cubicle/50% hard wall 37.6 34.8
Office: 20% cubicle/80% hard wall 39.4 38.1