Performance Evaluation of Empirical Path Loss Models for GSM Networks in a Tropical Urban Environment: A Case Study of Zaria City

Abstract

Accurate path loss prediction is crucial for efficient wireless network planning, especially in tropical urban areas where the climate and structures can greatly influence signal propagation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of four commonly used path loss models: Ericsson, COST-231, Plane Earth, and ECC-33, in Zaria City, a typical tropical urban location in Nigeria. We collected field measurements of Received Signal Strength (RSS) from various drive test routes for 3G GSM networks operated by MTN and 9-Mobile. The study compares the predicted path loss values with the actual signal data. We conducted a detailed statistical analysis, using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and correlation assessment to evaluate each model's accuracy and reliability. The results show different levels of prediction accuracy across the models. The COST-231 model consistently had the lowest RMSE, indicating it is best suited for dense urban settings. On the other hand, while the ECC-33 and Plane Earth models gave reasonable estimates in certain environments, the Ericsson model was more adaptable when the terrain and base station configurations were properly adjusted. This research provides helpful insights for mobile network operators, researchers, and planners who want to improve GSM network performance in tropical urban areas. The study emphasizes the importance of localized model validation to ensure effective network design and coverage prediction.

 Key words: Path Loss Models, GSM Networks, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Received Signal Strength (RSS)