The lab is equipped with 3D Ray Tracing algorithm for deterministic propagation modelling.

3D Ray Tracing

- 3D RT predictions for different propagation scenarios.
- Parallel processing with illumination zones to speed-up predictions for very large vector building databases (with multiple ray interactions).
- Predictions for received power and/or EM field vector (depolarization considered). Full Impulse Response: frequency, time, angle of arrival and angle of departure in azimuth and elevation.
- Consideration of any antenna pattern.
- Point-Route-Area analyses for multiple system and network planning parameters e.g. clearancclass=”alignnone wp-image-467 size-medium”e, power,class=”alignnone wp-image-462 size-medium”class=”alignnone wp-image-462 size-medium” delay spread, coherence bandwidth, K-factor, angular spread (azimuth and elevation), outage, etc.
While it considers all the main aspects of different wireless environments:
Multiple roof top and terrain diffractionsd
Foliage attenuationclass=”alignnone wp-image-462 size-medium”
Loss due to Fresnel zone blockage for long distance propagation
Foliage attenuation
Walls with different materials (e.g. walls with large windows)
Multiple wall reflections and corner diffractions
Floor-ceiling reflections
A parallel ray tracing algorithm for radio-wave propagation prediction based on the electromagnetic theory of images is also developed. The implementation of the algorithm is based on the message passing interface (MPI). The decomposition of the problem is conducted by partitioning the image tree, while dynamic load balancing techniques are employed by means of the master–worker and the work–pool patterns. The analysis of the parallel implementation performance for different problems and task assignment schemes, has shown that high speedups are achieved.

Computation Decomposition
Key Publications:
- G. E. Athanasiadou, A. R. Nix and J. P. McGeehan, “A microcellular ray-tracing propagation model and evaluation of its narrow-band and wide-band predictions,” in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 322-335, March 2000.
- G.E.Athanasiadou, A.R.Nix, “A novel 3D indoor ray-tracing propagation model: The path generator and evaluation of narrowband and wideband predictions,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, July 2000, vol. 49, No 4, pp. 1152-1168.
- T.E. Athanaileas, G.E. Athanasiadou, G.V. Tsoulos, D.I. Kaklamani, “Parallel Radio-Wave Propagation Modelling with Image-Based Ray Tracing Techniques,” Parallel Computing Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36, issue 12, pp. 679-695, Dec. 2010.
- G.E. Athanasiadou, “Incorporating the Fresnel Zone Theory in Ray Tracing for Propagation Modelling of Fixed Wireless Access Channels,” Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, 2007. PIMRC 2007. IEEE 18th International Symposium on,pp.1,5, 3-7 Sept. 2007 doi: 10.1109/PIMRC.2007.4394753