Calculation of Data Rates for Varying Scenarios
Using Free Space Path Loss and Okumura-Hata
Model in the TVWS Frequency Band
Chamath Kalanaka Vithanawasam 1*, Yi Lung Then2, Hieng Tiong Su3
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science
Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus
Kuching, Malaysia
2020 IEEE 8th R10 Humanitarian Technology Conference (R10-HTC) | 978-1-7281-1110-0/20/$31.00 ©2020 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/R10-HTC49770.2020.9357022
1*
chamathkv@yahoo.com, 2ythen@swinburne.edu.my, 3hsu@swinburne.edu.my
Abstract—Path loss models can be used to obtain the path
loss for a signal transmission. This information can be utilized
to obtain the received power which in turn can be used to
identify the maximum possible data rate that can be
transmitted. This paper uses the free space path loss equation
and the Okumura-Hata model to obtain the data rates. The
Okumura-Hata model’s equations are used to create numerous
‘scenarios’ which vary from large to small-to-medium urban,
sub-urban, and rural regions. The Television White Space
(TVWS) frequency band is used, which ranges from 470 – 790
MHz. Data from a commercially available White Space Device
(WSD) manufacturing company is used to calculate received
power. The transmission end will comprise of a commercially
available omnidirectional antenna and the receiving end will
comprise of two different antenna types: a commercially
available log-periodic antenna and a fabricated microstrip
antenna. All the antennas are designed for the TVWS band.
The results suggest that the antennas are better suited for
smaller urban settings rather than dense urban regions and are
quite ideal in rural regions. The research sheds light into how
TVWS technology is useful in rural regions, and how
microstrip antennas, with their smaller size, lighter weight, and
easier fabrication procedures, is a strong contender for WSD
use.
Keywords—data rate, free space path loss, log-periodic
antenna, microstrip antenna, Okumura-Hata model, Shannon-
Hartley theorem, television white space
I. INTRODUCTION
The use of accurate path loss predictions is paramount in
order to understand the transmission capabilities for various
wireless communication technologies. It can be useful to
calculate losses when planning radio wave propagation and
for the installation of communications methods. An effective
path loss calculation will result in a clear idea of ideal
installation positions for transmitting and receiving stations,
thereby saving costs for the network providers, and providing
a better signal to the user [1]. Free Space Path Loss (FSPL) is
one of the most basic of path loss calculations and has
considerable popularity in radio wave propagation
applications as it takes into consideration the spread of a
signal to an infinite distance without degradation. The
Okumura-Hata model is a popular empirical propagation
model that utilizes Okumura’s extensive test measurements
and predicts equations for path loss depending on different
types of obstacles. Both these path loss methods can be used
for a wide array of wireless technologies [2]. The model was
used to study pathloss in regions of Oman, where it was used
in order to verify obtained experimental data [3].
One such wireless technology that has garnered attention
in recent years is Television White Space (TVWS). This
technology uses unused portions of the TV band spectrum,
Authorized licensed use limited to: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka-UTEM. Downloaded on June 24,2024 at 11:08:22 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
which covers 470 – 790 MHz [4]. This frequency range has
been kept solely for the use of broadcasting TV channels, but
with the advent and gradual conversion of analog TV to
digital TV (DTV), there has been a rise in new potential for
using the frequency band. Depending on the region the
technology is being used, numerous channels will be taken
for TV broadcasting purposes, however, the unused portions
can be selected by the White Space Device (WSD), which is
a system that uses TVWS technology, for broadband
connectivity. WSDs will go about selecting the unused
channels using spectrum sensing, which is when the TVWS
band is monitored frequently to identify which channel is
used and which is not [5]. A special feature of TVWS
technology is the availability of a White Space Database
(WSDB), which contains information about primary users
(PU), geographical operations, usable channels, and other
operating parameters with respect to the location. This
database is important for WSDs as it helps not to interfere
with the PUs [6]. Channels that are always available for
TVWS, known as High-Priority Channels (HPC) have been
proposed in Singapore by the Infocomm Development
Authority (IDA) [7]. The technology has been tested in
Maharashtra, India to provide internet to rural settlements by
using TVWS as a backhaul [8]. Another prominent test run
utilized WiFi based long distance (WiLD), which propagates
2.4 and 5.8 GHz for long distances, with TVWS [9]. The use
of Time Domain Multiple Access (TDMA) protocol in the
TVWS band has also been experimented on [10].
The path loss calculations can be used to obtain the
received signal at the end user’s device. This final received
signal is impacted by various other factors such as the
transmitting power, the antenna gain for the transmitting and
receiving antennas, cable losses, etc. For a given technology,
the antenna gain is one of the main methods of improving the
received signal strength. This received signal can then be
utilized to obtain a calculated theoretical data rate to the final
user. This can be accomplished by using the Shannon-
Hartley theorem, which uses the bandwidth of a specified
channel, the received signal power, and the noise, to provide
the theoretical data rate to the end user. An indoor
propagation model was developed inside an office-like
setting for TVWS using empirical method [11].
This paper will detail the technical information of two
antennas used for TVWS, a commercially available log-
periodic antenna and a fabricated microstrip antenna design.
The commercially available log-periodic antenna is
manufactured by Carlson Wireless Technologies for use with
their WSDs [12]. The fabricated microstrip antenna is based
on a compact ultra-wideband microstrip antenna which
utilized ground plane extensions to obtain its wideband
properties for use in the TVWS band [13]. There are
 numerous other microstrip antennas fabricated for TVWS
use as well [14]. It will then provide theoretical data rates for
the two antennas. The received signal is obtained by using
information from the WSD supplier, the gain from the
antenna used and the path loss. The path loss is calculated
using FSPL and the Okumura-Hata Model. When calculating
using the Okumura-Hata Model, eight different scenarios
will be used, each one obtained from the various alterations
that can be made to the model. These calculated data rates
will give an insight into the maximum possible data that can
be transmitted to the end user using TVWS’s frequency band
and can give an understanding of how plausible the use of
microstrip antennas is when used with WSDs.
II. PATH LOSS MODELS
A. Free-Space Path Loss
This theoretical propagation model will consider the
transmission of a signal via free space to a receiver which is
located at a distance d from the isotropic transmitter,
assuming there are no obstructions between the transmitter
and receiver. The model also assumes a straight line of signal
propagation between the two points. The model inherently
indicates that the spread of power over greater distances is
what causes the attenuation. This can be observed in (1), for
the calculation of power.
Pd = Pt / 4 π d 2
Where Pt is the transmitted power (W/m2) and Pd is the
power at a distance d from the antenna. The power at a
receiver antenna can be calculated to be Pd. The amount of
actual power collected by the receiver end, however, requires
(2) and (3), which take into consideration the ‘effective
aperture’ and the power flux density at the receiving element.
The effective area Ae of an isotropic antenna is calculated
using:
Ae = λ2 / 4 π
With power received (Pr) calculated using:
Pr = Pd × Ae = Pt × λ2 / (4 π d)2
The path loss (Lp) is calculated using equation (4) as:
Lp = Pt – Pr
Substituting (3) into (4) will provide (5):
Lp dB = 20 log10 (4 π) + 20 log10 (d) – 20 log10 (λ)
Substituting (λ (in km) = 0.3 / f (in MHz)) will give the
free space path loss formula in (6):
Lp dB = 32.5 + 20 log10 (d) + 20 log10 (f)
B. Hata model
Okumura’s path loss data was formulated empirically in
order to create the Hata model’s equations, which are valid
from 150 to 1500 MHz. Other limitations to the use of this
model include the distance (d), which ranges from 1 to 20
km. The height of the transmitting station (hb) ranges from
30 to 200 m and that of the receiving station (hr) ranges from
1 to 10 m. The Hata model caters to a wide range of possible
terrain which include large and small-to-medium urban, sub-
urban and rural areas. Equation (7) shows the path loss in
urban areas (PL,urban) under the Hata model as:
Authorized licensed use limited to: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka-UTEM. Downloaded on June 24,2024 at 11:08:22 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
PL,urban (d) dB = 69.55 + 26.16 log10 (fc) – 13.82 log10 (ht) –
a(hr) + (44.9 – 6.55 log10(ht)) log10 (d) (7)
a(hr) is a correction factor which varies for large
and small-to-medium sized regions, which can be observed
from (8) and (9) respectively:
a(hr) = (1.1 log10 (fc) – 0.7) hr – (1.56 log10 (fc) – 0.8) (8)
a(hr) = 3.2 (log10 (11.75 hr))2 – 4.97 (9)
Amendments were made to the urban model in order to
better suit sub-urban and rural propagation, as seen in (10)
and (11) respectively:
PL,sub-urban (d) dB = PL,urban (d) dB – 2 (log10 (fc/28))2 – 5.4
(10)
PL,rural (d) dB = PL,urban (d) dB – 4.78 (log10 (fc))2 + 18.33
log10 (fc) – K (11)
K in (11) will range from 35.94 for countryside regions
and 40.94 for desert regions.
III. LINK BUDGET AND SHANNON-HARTLEY THEOREM
A. Link Budget
The link budget takes into account all the numerous gains
and losses between the transmitter and receiver. This is
crucial in RF planning so that the link will sum up the system
(1) gains and losses in order to find out how much power is
actually delivered to the receiver. A reasonable amount of
power will need to reach the receiver in order for a valid
connection to occur. A typical account of a link budget can
be observed in (12):
PRX = PTX – LTX + GTX – PL + GRX – LRX (12)
Where PRX is the received power in dBm, PTX is the
transmitted power, LTX is the total system loss in dB at the
transmitter, GTX is the transmitting antenna gain in dBi, PL is
(2) the path loss between the transmit and receive antennas, GRX
is the receiving antenna gain, and LRX is the total system loss
in dB at the receiver.
(3)
B. Shannon-Hartley Theorem
The Shannon-Hartley theorem was formulated to provide
(4)
the maximum theoretically possible amount of information
that can be encoded over a certain bandwidth amount with
the presence of noise. Shannon added the concept of signal-
(5) to-noise ratio and provided (13):
C = B log2 (1 + S/N) (13)
Where C is the channel capacity in bits-per-second, and
(6) S/N is the signal-to-noise ratio. Both the signal and noise are
input into the equation in watts.
IV. ANTENNAS USED AND CONCEPTUALISATION OF
SCENARIOS
A. Antennas
Two antenna types were selected for the receiving end in
this research. One is chosen from the commercial point of
view and another, more novel type of antenna. The
commercial antenna that has been chosen is the log-periodic
directional UHF antenna that is used for Carlson Wireless’
RuralConnect model (Fig. 1(a)). The fabricated antenna is
 based on a compact ultra-wideband microstrip antenna with which are within the TVWS band. They form the beginning,
ground plane extensions (Fig. 1(b)). The transmission center and end of the band. The bandwidth is kept at 8 MHz,
antenna is kept consistent throughout and is the which is the bandwidth used by commercially used WSDs
commercially used high-gain omnidirectional antenna that outside of the US. The positioning of the antennas and the
also operates in the TVWS range [15]. The gain of each scenario are visualized in Fig. 2.
antenna is required for link budget calculations and
subsequently, the data rate calculations. The commercial
TABLE II. PARAMETERS USED FOR SCENARIOS
antenna’s gain is reported to be 9 dBi, the fabricated
antenna’s gain is measured using an anechoic chamber Parameter Value(s)
facility after fabrication and has been identified to be roughly f (MHz) 474, 626, 786
2.92 dBi, and the transmitting antenna’s gain is reported to d (km) 1–5
be 5.2 dBi. The technical specifications for the two antennas
TxH (m) 30
used at the receiving end is shown in Table I.
RxH (m) 20

PTX (dBm) 26

ATX (dBi) 5.2

ARX (dBi) 2.69, 9

Noise (N) (dBm) -100

CLTX (dBm) 2

CLRX (dBm) 5

Miscellaneous losses (dBm) 20

(a) (b)

The distance (d) is plotted from 1 km, which is the point

at which the Hata model becomes valid, up to 5 km. The
height of the transmission antenna (TxH) is kept at 30 m and
the receiving antenna (RxH) will be at 20 m. The transmitted
power information (PTX) is obtained from the Carlson
Wireless WSD’s product data [16]. Cable losses for the
transmission end (CLTX) are less in comparison to that of the
receiving end (CLRX) due to adapters that are necessary when
installing the fabricated antenna. The noise (N) has been
measured using a spectrum analyzer and is roughly -100
dBm for this frequency range. To account for any other
possible losses, another 20 dB is subtracted before obtaining
(c) (d) the final received power.
Fig. 1. High gain commercially used omnidirectional antenna for
transmission (a), high gain commercially used log-periodic antenna for
receiving (b), and fabricated compact ultra-wideband microstrip antenna
facing front (c) and back (d) [12,13,15]

TABLE I. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF FABRICATED ANTENNA

AND LOG-PERIODIC ANTENNA FOR TVWS

Log-periodic antenna Fabricated antenna

Fig. 2. Positioning of transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) antennas in
Operating frequency 470.00-786.00 477.00-1100.00 various scenarios
(MHz)

Gain (dBi) 9 2.92

After calculating the theoretical data rates, the maximum
distance the antenna can sustain 12 and 3 Mbps is tabulated
Dimensions (cm) 38.10 x 35.56 x 10.10 27.00 x 19.00 x 0.60
for each scenario. The FCC recommends 12 to 25 Mbps for 3
Impedance (Ohm) 75 50 to 4 users/devices at a time for light use, which would mean
Connector type F-type SMA for email, web browsing, basic video, etc. A smaller data rate
of 3 to 8 Mbps is recommended for 1 to 2 users/devices at a
B. Scenarios and parameters used time for the same amount of use [17]. This is the justification
behind recording 12 and 3 Mbps’ maximum feasible
As stated in Section I, 8 scenarios were created using the distances.
Hata model’s equations. Each of these scenarios will create
varying path losses based on the intensity of the obstacles
that will exist. After obtaining the path loss for each V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
scenario, the received power is calculated, which can then be
used to obtain the maximum theoretical data rate that can be A. FSPL
transmitted at a specific frequency. Table II displays the Before showing the results obtained from the Hata
parameters that are used for the various scenarios. For each model, the more simplistic FSPL equation is used in order to
antenna type on the receiving end, three frequencies are used obtain the theoretical data rate. Fig. 3 displays the results
from three different frequencies for each antenna type.

Authorized licensed use limited to: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka-UTEM. Downloaded on June 24,2024 at 11:08:22 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 The data rate calculation plotted in Fig. 3 shows what
appears to be a visibly higher data transfer rate for the log-
periodic design in comparison to the fabricated design. Both
designs show a very large data rate for the full 5 km distance.
80
70
60
bit rate (mbps)
A higher data rate is observed for this Scenario in
comparison to the urban setting in Scenario A. The log-
periodic antenna can obtain a maximum data rate of around
20 to 30 Mbps at 1 km, with 9 to 17 Mbps for the fabricated
antenna. There is a sharp decline in the data rate, but the
Fabricated 474.00 MHz
fabricated antenna provides sufficient data rates up to 2 km
Fabricated 626.00 MHz
Fabricated 786.00 MHz or so, where it shows around 1 to 3 Mbps. The log-periodic
Log-periodic 474.00 MHz
Log-periodic 626.00 MHz antenna can show satisfactory data rates up to 3 km.

Log-periodic 786.00 MHz

50

40 D. Scenario C (Large rural countryside)

30
The large rural countryside will be capable of
20
transmitting data for much longer distances thanks to the
10
availability of lesser obstacles. This scenario will have an
1 2 3 4 5
distance (km)
abundance of vegetation and fewer houses. The data rates
obtained are shown in Fig. 6. The data rates are far superior,
Fig. 3. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for FSPL with the fabricated antenna having rates ranging from 37.5 to
47.5 Mbps and the log-periodic antenna having rates of
B. Scenario A (Large urban setting) around 52.5 to 63 Mbps.
The first of the eight different Hata model-based
scenarios covers the large-scale urban area. This will have 70
65
Fabricated 474.00 MHz
Fabricated 626.00 MHz
the greatest number of obstacles and will therefore have a 60
55
Fabricated 786.00 MHz
Log-periodic 474.00 MHz
Log-periodic 626.00 MHz
very low data rate, as shown in Fig. 4. 50

bit rate (mbps)

Log-periodic 786.00 MHz
45
40
35
30
15
Fabricated 474.00 MHz 25
Fabricated 626.00 MHz 20
Fabricated 786.00 MHz
15
Log-periodic 474.00 MHz
Log-periodic 626.00 MHz 10
10
bit rate (mbps)

Log-periodic 786.00 MHz 5

0

1 2 3 4 5
5 distance (km)

Fig. 6. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for Scenario

0
C
1 2 3 4 5
distance (km)
E. Scenario D (Large rural desert)
Fig. 4. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for Scenario The rural desert scenario comprises of minimal
A vegetation and therefore is expected to garner a very
satisfactory data rate (Fig. 7).
Signal propagation is observed to be arduous in this
setting, due to the higher concentration of buildings and
90
other forms of obstacles that exist in the empirical model. In 85
80
Fabricated 474.00 MHz
Fabricated 626.00 MHz

the case of the log-periodic antenna, at 474.00 MHz, a data 75

70
Fabricated 786.00 MHz
Log-periodic 474.00 MHz
65 Log-periodic 626.00 MHz
rate of roughly 12.5 Mbps can be seen with a rate of roughly
bit rate (mbps)

60 Log-periodic 786.00 MHz

55
5 Mbps for the fabricated design. A sharp decline can be 50
45
40
observed for all the frequency ranges and in the case of the 35
30
fabricated antenna, the values will reach nearly 0 Mbps after 25
20

2 km. The fabricated antenna, with its weaker gain is not 15

10
5
ideal for a large urban scenario and would most likely be 0
1 2 3 4 5
applicable only in close ranges. distance (km)

C. Scenario B (Large sub-urban setting) Fig. 7. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for Scenario
D
Fig. 5 below displays the theoretical data rate for a large
sub-urban setting. The readings at 1 km show a data rate of roughly 50 to 60
Mbps for the fabricated antenna and around 66 to 77.5 Mbps
35
Fabricated 474.00 MHz
for the log-periodic antenna. These satisfactory data rates
30
Fabricated 626.00 MHz
Fabricated 786.00 MHz
continue on for the full 5 km. 2.5 to 6 Mbps can be observed
25
Log-periodic 474.00 MHz
Log-periodic 626.00 MHz
for the fabricated antenna with 8 to 15 Mbps for the log-
bit rate (mbps)

20
Log-periodic 786.00 MHz
periodic antenna.
15

10 F. Scenario E (Small-to-medium urban)

5 This scenario, along with Scenarios F, G, and H will
0 cover the small-to-medium areas. Fig. 8 shows the data rate
1 2 3
distance (km)
4 5
for a small-to-medium urban scenario. At the 1 km mark, the
fabricated design has a data rate ranging from 12.5 to 21
Fig. 5. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for Scenario Mbps. For the log-periodic design, this rate is higher and
B ranges from 26 to 36 Mbps. A sharp decline can be observed

Authorized licensed use limited to: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka-UTEM. Downloaded on June 24,2024 at 11:08:22 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 in the data rate with increasing distance, however a obstacles in the way. The fabricated antenna provides a data
satisfactory date rate can be observed for both designs up to rate ranging from 82.5 to 87.5 Mbps and the log-periodic
2.5 km. antenna has a data rate from 99 to 105 Mbps, as shown in
Fig. 11.
40
Fabricated 474.00 MHz
Fabricated 626.00 MHz
35 110
Fabricated 786.00 MHz Fabricated 474.00 MHz
Log-periodic 474.00 MHz 100 Fabricated 626.00 MHz
30
Log-periodic 626.00 MHz Fabricated 786.00 MHz
bit rate (mbps)

Log-periodic 786.00 MHz 90

25 Log-periodic 474.00 MHz
80 Log-periodic 626.00 MHz

bit rate (mbps)

20 Log-periodic 786.00 MHz
70

15 60
50
10
40
5 30

0 20
10
1 2 3 4 5
0
distance (km)
1 2 3 4 5
distance (km)
Fig. 8. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for Scenario
E Fig. 11. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for Scenario
H
G. Scenario F (Small-to-medium sub-urban)
The small-to-medium sub-urban region’s readings will be J. Maximum feasible distance of scenarios
shown in Fig. 9 below. It clearly has a much higher data rate, As explained in Section IV Part B, the maximum distance
with around 35 to 41 Mbps for the fabricated antenna, and 51 at which the antenna can satisfactorily provide 12 and 3
to 57.5 Mbps for the log-periodic antenna. The data rate Mbps is obtained and shown in Table III. This will help
slowly reduces from there on but is satisfactory up to 3 km better understand how far the antenna can be used for each
for the fabricated antenna. It is better for the log-periodic scenario, and which scenarios it would not be appropriate to
antenna for longer distances. use a particular antenna. Points marked as ‘N/A’ in the table
indicate that the antenna was unable to provide that data rate
70
Fabricated 474.00 MHz
from 1 km onward. The FSPL data is very large, with the
65
60
Fabricated 626.00 MHz
Fabricated 786.00 MHz fabricated antenna being able to provide a 12 Mbps data rate
55 Log-periodic 474.00 MHz
50 Log-periodic 626.00 MHz for 5.09 – 8.44 km. The log-periodic antenna will provide the
bit rate (mbps)

Log-periodic 786.00 MHz

45
40 same data rate for 10.25 – 17.01 km. Scenario A is not a
35
30
suitable region to deploy either of these antennas, as it can
25
20
barely provide 12 Mbps at the 1 km mark. The log-periodic
15
10
antenna barely provides the amount for 474 MHz, although it
5
0
can provide 3 Mbps close to 1 km. The fabricated antenna
1 2 3 4 5 can only barely provide 3 Mbps for 474 MHz.
distance (km)

Fig. 9. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for Scenario TABLE III. SCENARIOS AND DISTANCES AT WHICH THE DATA RATE
F REACHES 12 AND 3 MBPS

Distance (km) at which data rate reaches 12

H. Scenario G (Small-to-medium rural countryside) Scenario Antenna Mbps and 3 Mbps (Frequency (MHz) for (i)
Scenario G will cover a rural countryside which is small- 474, (ii) 626, (iii) 786)
to-medium in size. The readings are shown in Fig. 10. The 12 Mbps 3 Mbps
fabricated antenna has a data rate ranging from 70 to 75 (i) 8.44, (ii) 6.40, (i) 20.96, (ii) 15.86,
Mbps, and the log-periodic antenna has one ranging from 86 Fabricated
(iii) 5.09 (iii) 12.63
to 91 Mbps. These data rates are extremely satisfactory and FSPL
maintain good levels over 5 km. (i) 17.01, (ii) 12.87, 42.13, (ii) 31.95, (iii)
Log-periodic
(iii) 10.25 25.45
100
Fabricated 474.00 MHz
(i) N/A, (ii) N/A, (iii) (i) 1.14, (ii) N/A, (iii)
90 Fabricated 626.00 MHz
Fabricated
Fabricated 786.00 MHz A (Large, N/A N/A
80 Log-periodic 474.00 MHz
70
Log-periodic 626.00 MHz
urban city) (i) 1.01, (ii) N/A, (iii) (i) 1.70, (ii) 1.38, (iii)
bit rate (mbps)

Log-periodic 786.00 MHz

60 Log-periodic
N/A 1.17
50

40 (i) 1.18, (ii) N/A, (iii) (i) 1.97, (ii) 1.67, (iii)
30 B (Large Fabricated
20
N/A 1.47
sub-urban
10 (i) 1.75, (ii) 1.49, (i) 2.94, (ii) 2.49, (iii)
0 city) Log-periodic
1 2 3 4 5 (iii) 1.30 2.18
distance (km)
(i) 2.71, (ii) 2.34, (i) 4.53, (ii) 3.92, (iii)
C (Large Fabricated
(iii) 2.09 3.51
Fig. 10. Data rate calculation in Mbps versus distance in km for Scenario rural
G (i) 4.02, (ii) 3.48, (i) 6.74, (ii) 5.83, (iii)
countryside) Log-periodic
(iii) 3.11 5.22
I. Scenario H (Small-to-medium rural desert) (i) 3.75, (ii) 3.25, (i) 6.28, (ii) 5.43, (iii)
D (Large Fabricated
A small-to-medium rural desert has the highest data rates (iii) 2.90 4.86
rural desert)
recorded. This is due to it being a small area with little to no Log-periodic (i) 5.58, (ii) 4.83, (i) 9.35, (ii) 8.09, (iii)

Authorized licensed use limited to: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka-UTEM. Downloaded on June 24,2024 at 11:08:22 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 (iii) 4.32 7.23 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
E (Small-to- (i) 1.34, (ii) 1.17, (i) 2.24, (ii) 1.96, (iii)
Fabricated The authors would like to acknowledge the Sarawak
medium (iii) 1.05 1.76
Multimedia Authority (SMA) for financing this research
sized urban (i) 1.99, (ii) 1.74, (i) 3.33, (ii) 2.92, (iii) through Sarawak Digital Economy Research Grant.
Log-periodic
city) (iii) 1.56 2.62
F (Small-to- (i) 2.31, (ii) 2.11, (i) 3.88, (ii) 3.54, (iii) REFERENCES
Fabricated
medium (iii) 1.97 3.29
[1] T. K. Sarkar, Z. Ji, K. Kim, A. Medouri, and M. Salazar-Palma, "A
sized sub- (i) 3.44, (ii) 3.14, (i) 5.77, (ii) 5.27, (iii) Survey of Various Propagation Models for Mobile Communication,"
Log-periodic
urban city) (iii) 2.93 4.90 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Conference Paper vol. 45,
no. 3, pp. 51-82, 2003.
G (Small- (i) 5.31, (ii) 4.95, (i) 8.90, (ii) 8.29, (iii)
Fabricated [2] M. Hata, "Empirical formula for propagation loss in land mobile radio
to-medium (iii) 4.71 7.88 services," IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 29, no. 3,
sized rural (i) 7.90, (ii) 7.09, (i) 13.23, (ii) 12.33, pp. 317-325, 1980.
Log-periodic
countryside) (iii) 7.00 (iii) 11.73 [3] Z. Nadir and M. Ahmad, "Characterization of Pathloss Using
Okumura‐Hata Model and Missing Data Prediction for Oman," AIP
H (Small- (i) 7.09, (ii) 6.86, (i) 12.33, (ii) 11.50,
Fabricated Conference Proceedings, vol. 1285, pp. 509-518, 10/15 2010.
to-medium (iii) 6.52 (iii) 10.93 [4] S. W. Oh, Y. Ma, M.-H. Tao, and E. C. Y. Peh, "An overview and
sized rural (i) 10.96, (ii) 10.21, (i) 18.35, (ii) 17.11, comparison of TV White Space regulations worldwide," presented at
Log-periodic the International Conference on Frontiers of Communications,
desert) (iii) 9.70 (iii) 16.25
Networks and Applications (ICFCNA 2014 - Malaysia), Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, 3-5 Nov., 2014.
[5] M. Nekovee, "A Survey of Cognitive Radio Access to TV White
Scenario B is also significantly difficult for the fabricated Spaces," International Journal of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting,
antenna to operate in, with the log-periodic antenna barely vol. 2010, 2009.
showing useable results. Scenarios C and D, being a large [6] J. D. Alejandrino, R. S. Concepcion, S. C. Laugico, E. T. Trinidad,
rural countryside and a desert respectively, can provide 12 and E. P. Dadios, "Feasibility of Television White Space Spectrum
Mbps for over 2 km, which is quite satisfactory. Scenarios E Technologies for Wide Range Wireless Sensor Network: A survey,"
in 2019 IEEE 11th International Conference on Humanoid,
and F, being small-to-medium urban and sub-urban regions Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and
are also able to obtain 12 Mbps for distances ranging from Control, Environment, and Management ( HNICEM ), 2019, pp. 1-6.
1.05 to 3.44 km for the fabricated and log-periodic antenna. [7] E. C. Y. Peh, S. W. Oh, Y. Ma, M. Tao, and Y. Pei, "Pricing Model
Scenarios G and H are where the largest distances can be for TV White Spaces Channels With Different Priorities," IEEE
observed. 4.71 to 7.90 km can be seen for both antennas in Wireless Communications Letters, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 401-404, 2015.
Scenario G for 12 Mbps, and 6.52 to 10.96 km for both [8] A. Kumar et al. (2016, July 2016) Toward enabling broadband for a
antennas in Scenario H. The readings would clearly get billion plus population with TV white spaces. IEEE Communications
higher for rural regions in comparison to urban ones, and the Magazine 28-34.
results indicate substantial distances can be achieved in rural [9] W. Kenyon, A. Mickelson, and A. Anderson, "A testbed for
WiLDNet and white space," presented at the 2016 IEEE Global
regions by the fabricated antenna. Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), Seattle, WA, USA,
2016.
VI. CONCLUSION [10] N. P. Wyawahare and S. L. Haridas, "Designing challenges to utilize
white-space for configurable femtocell base on slotted TDM," in 2014
This research investigated how path loss models can be International Conference on Contemporary Computing and
utilized to obtain the received power for a receiving antenna, Informatics (IC3I), 2014, pp. 1076-1080.
which in turn can be used to obtain the theoretical data rate. [11] U. N. Ujam, Y. Gao, G. Goteng, and G. Onoh, "TV White Space
The path loss models used include the FSPL equation, along (TVWS) field trial at short distant indoor locations using empirical
with the Hata model. The Hata model was used to create method," in 2017 IEEE 3rd International Conference on Electro-
Technology for National Development (NIGERCON), 2017, pp. 177-
various theoretical scenarios, from which the data rate can be 183.
calculated for varying distances. Two antennas were used in [12] Carlson Wireless Technologies, "Log Periodic Directional UHF
the TVWS frequency band. The obvious limitation in this Antenna for RuralConnect(R) CPE."
research is the lack of actual measurements carried out in [13] C. K. Vithanawasam., H. T. Su., Y. L. Then., and A. L. Cricenti.,
real life using WSDs. Further research can be performed "COMPACT ULTRA-WIDEBAND MICROSTRIP ANTENNA
using WSDs to obtain measured readings. The FSPL WITH GROUND PLANE EXTENSIONS FOR TELEVISION
readings showed very high data rates for both antennas. The WHITE SPACE (TVWS) APPLICATIONS," International Journal of
Advanced Science and Technology, vol. 29, no. 6s, pp. 777 - 782,
Hata model showed that the fabricated antenna in particular 04/10 2020.
will not be suitable for Scenarios A and B, which indicates
[14] C. K. Vithanawasam, Y. L. Then, and H. T. Su, "A review of
that large urban regions will not benefit from this antenna. microstrip antenna designs for TV white space applications,"
Both antennas showed promising results in the rural Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science,
scenarios. This is extremely valuable information, as it Review vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 855-863, 2020.
shows that a fabricated microstrip antenna, with its benefits [15] Carlson Wireless Technologies, "High-Gain Omnidirectional UHF
such as its cheaper fabrication costs, smaller size and lighter Antenna for RuralConnect® Base Station."
weight, can be used in rural scenarios and still be able to [16] Carlson Wireless Technologies, "RuralConnect TV White Spaces
provide satisfactory data rates. Radio," ed, 2014.
[17] Federal Communications Commission. (2020). Household Broadband
Guide. Available: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/household-
broadband-guide.

Authorized licensed use limited to: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka-UTEM. Downloaded on June 24,2024 at 11:08:22 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.