A Comprehensive Review of Radio Signal Propagation Prediction for Terrestrial Wireless Communication Systems

Abstract

The subject of study known as radio propagation prediction refers to predicting the behaviour and characteristics of radio waves as they propagate through the atmosphere. It is a basic element of all wireless communication systems, including satellite communications, broadcasting and cellular networks. While there is no study covers all the techniques used to predict the radio signal prediction, this study presents a review of the propagation prediction models between 2018-2023 used for terrestrial wireless communication systems; the classic empirical models were briefly explained, followed by the deterministic propagation models that have been developed using ray-tracing with deep and machine learning techniques. Recent studies on an improvement of the computational efficiency and accuracy of propagation prediction models were also reviewed, in addition to an overview of some of the traditional statistical models. Furthermore, some of the new techniques in propagation prediction were described. The results of these studies explain that techniques using ray tracing produce better results than other techniques.