Comparison of 5G Radio Predictions With and Without 3D Vegetation

3D maps have become widely used for planning in urban/dense urban areas, where urbanization is dense, including high-rise buildings. These maps accurately model each building, terrain, transportation network, etc.

With 5G NR, the frequencies are higher than ever. 3.6 GHz – 3.8 GHz, 26 GHz – 28 GHz, … At these frequencies, any obstacle between the transmitter and the receiver will have a huge impact on the signal propagation.

This means that even the trees are highly attenuating the signal (standard values around 1dB / meter at 26 GHz) and must be mapped in 3D.

Barcelona – 3D buildings and 3D trees:

The following study compares 5G predictions with and without taking into account the 3D trees. This area counts five macro sites (antenna height = 30 meters).

Scenario 1: Frequency 3.6GHz

Zoom on macro site #1:

The percentage of area covered by signal level is:

Scenario 2: Frequency 26GHz

Zoom on macro site #1:

The percentage of area covered by signal level is:

Conclusion:

For both frequencies 3.6 GHz and 26 GHz, the predictions without 3D trees are too optimistic in both indoor and outdoor areas. The delta between the two scenarios (with and without trees) is 12.8% at 3.6 GHz and 10% at 26 GHz.

Deploying a 5G network without taking into account the 3D trees would lead to lower connectivity and quality compared to the results expected in the simulation.

On the opposite, taking into account, the 3D trees would allow planning the 5G networks accurately from the beginning, deploying the right number of cells necessary to guarantee full connectivity with a stable and robust network.

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