User's Manual

PN 9000-10 Help Hot Line (U.S. only): 1-800-530-9960 5-19
620021-0 Rev. A
5.2.2 Coverage Distance
Equations (1) and (2), on pages 5-17 and 5-18, 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 5-19 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 5-19 Estimated Path Loss Slope for Different In-Building Environments
Environment Type Example
PLS for
800/900 MHz
PLS for
1800/1900 MHz
Open Environment with very few
RF obstructions
Parking Garage, Convention Center 33.7 30.1
Moderately Open Environment
with low-to-medium amount of RF
obstructions
Warehouse, Airport, Manufacturing 35 32
Mildly Dense Environment with
medium-to-high amount of RF
obstructions
Retail, Office Space with approxi-
mately 80% cubicles and 20% hard
walled offices
36.1 33.1
Moderately Dense Environment
with medium-to-high amount of RF
obstructions
Office Space with approximately
50% cubicles and 50% hard walled
offices
37.6 34.8
Dense Environment with large
amount of RF obstructions
Hospital, Office Space with approxi-
mately 20% cubicles and 80% hard
walled offices
39.4 38.1