Measurements of 800-MHz Radio Transmission Into Buildings With Metallic Walls

The attenuation of radio signals propagating into buildings has a significant effect on the performance of portable radiotelephone sys* Bell Laboratories. ®Copyright 1983, American Telephone & Telegraph Company. Photo reproduction for noncommercial use is permitted without payment of royalty provided that each reproduction is done without alteration and that the Journal reference and copyright notice are included on the first page. The title and abstract, but no other portions, of this paper may be copied or distributed royalty free by computer-based and other information-service systems without further permission. Permission to reproduce or republish any other portion of this paper must be obtained from the Editor. 2695 terns.1 Frequencies in the 800-MHz to 900-MHz range are good candidates for such systems. Most earlier propagation measurements at these frequencies in the shadowing and multipath environment around buildings were made for mobile radio systems.2 Ranges for the mobile radio data are generally greater than one mile. Battery power limitations on portable systems will likely restrict such systems to ranges on the order of 1000 feet. Earlier measurements made in buildings are limited in scope,3"6 are oriented towards lower frequencies,7-11 or are directed toward high-power portable sets with ranges greater than one mile. One important portable radiotelephone environment comprises suburban residential areas characterized by discrete houses and other small buildings with densities ranging from less than one house per acre to a few houses per acre.