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Methods
WinProp includes empirical and semi-empirical models (calibration with measurements possible), rigorous 3D ray-tracing models as well as the unique dominant path model (DPM).
Propagation Models
Propagation models differ based on their assumptions, prediction accuracy and computational resources. Select an appropriate propagation model for the application.
Indoor Models
Motivation for Indoor Propagation Models
Predicting the propagation characteristics between two antennas inside a building is important especially for the design of cordless telephones, wireless local area networks (WLAN), and in some cases, indoor cellular base stations.

Welcome
Release Notes
See what's new in the latest release.
Get Started
The WinProp Getting Started Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to get started with WinProp.
Examples
The Altair installation directory contains a collection of examples that shows you WinProp concepts and essentials.
Introduction to WinProp
WinProp is a complete suite of tools in the domain of wireless propagation and radio network planning. With applications ranging from satellite to terrestrial, from rural via urban to indoor radio links, WinProp’s innovative wave propagation models combine accuracy with short computation time.
Typical Workflow in WinProp
View the typical workflows when working with propagation simulations in specific scenarios, how to add a network planning to a propagation simulation, include a receiver pattern, set up a time-variant scenario, include multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) at both the base station and the mobile station, connectivity analysis of sensor networks and optimization.
WallMan
The WallMan component offers a convenient facility to generate and edit vector building databases.
TuMan
The TuMan tool enables you to generate and modify tunnel scenarios.
AMan
Use AMan to generate, edit and analyze a single antenna. Superimpose multiple antennas radiating similar signals to determine the actual antenna pattern while taking into consideration the local environment.
ProMan
The ProMan component includes wave propagation models for different scenarios and network planning simulators for various air interfaces.
Methods
WinProp includes empirical and semi-empirical models (calibration with measurements possible), rigorous 3D ray-tracing models as well as the unique dominant path model (DPM).
- Propagation Models
  Propagation models differ based on their assumptions, prediction accuracy and computational resources. Select an appropriate propagation model for the application.
  - Motivation for Different Propagation Models
  - Terrain Models
    Different models for macro-cellular prediction exist with differing accuracy and computational resource requirements.
  - Urban Models
  - Indoor Models
    - Motivation for Indoor Propagation Models
      Predicting the propagation characteristics between two antennas inside a building is important especially for the design of cordless telephones, wireless local area networks (WLAN), and in some cases, indoor cellular base stations.
    - Required Database
      Categorize buildings into different elements and specify their material parameters for accurate indoor propagation modeling.
    - Modified Free Space Model (MF)
      The modified-free-space model analyzes the building concerning distances between walls and penetration losses of the walls, but the individual positions of the walls and their material properties are not considered.
    - Motley-Keenan Model (MK)
      The modified-free-space model analyzes the distances of the building between walls and penetration losses of the walls.
    - COST-Multi-Wall Model (MW)
      The multi-wall model gives the path loss as the free space loss including losses introduced by the walls and floors in the direct path between transmitter and receiver.
    - Standard Ray Tracing (SRT)
      The standard ray-tracing model (SRT) performs a rigorous 3D ray-tracing prediction which results in very high accuracy but at the cost of a large computational effort.
    - Shooting and Bouncing Rays (SBR)
      The shooting and bouncing rays method (SBR) performs a rigorous 3D ray-tracing prediction which results in high accuracy but potentially at the cost of a large computational effort.
    - Intelligent Ray Tracing (IRT)
      Accelerate ray-optical models by combining the advantages of ray-optical and empirical models.
    - Dominant Paths (DP)
  - Description of the Output Files and Cell Parameters
  - Literature
Main Applications
In WinProp various air interfaces and applications are pre-defined: broadcasting, cellular, wireless access, WiFi, sensor networks, ICNIRP and EM compliance.
WinProp Utilities
The WinProp utilities consist of the Launcher utility and the Updater.
Appendix
Reference information is provided in the appendix.

Motivation for Indoor Propagation Models

Predicting the propagation characteristics between two antennas inside a building is important especially for the design of cordless telephones, wireless local area networks (WLAN), and in some cases, indoor cellular base stations.

The indoor propagation channel differs considerably from the outdoor one. The distance between transmitter and receiver is shorter due to high attenuation caused by internal walls and furniture and because of the typically lower transmitter power. The short distance implies a shorter delay of echoes and consequently lower delay spread. The temporal variations of the channel are slower compared to mobile antennas moving with a car. As is the case in outdoor systems, there are several important propagation parameters to be predicted. The path loss and the statistical characteristics of the received signal envelope are most important for coverage planning applications. The wide-band and time variation characteristics are essential for evaluation of the system performance.

Figure 1. Different approaches to the modeling of indoor propagation.

The considered propagation models can be categorized into three groups:

empirical narrow-band models
empirical wide-band models
deterministic models

Empirical narrow-band models are expressed in the form of simple mathematical equations that give the path loss as output. The equations are obtained by fitting the model to measurement results. The empirical wide-band models (dominant paths) also allow the prediction of the wide-band characteristics of the channel (for example, delay spread). Deterministic models are calculation methods that physically simulate the propagation of radio waves. These models yield both narrow-band and wide-band information of the mobile radio channel inside buildings.

All of the presented models are based on or calibrated with propagation measurements. These measurements have mostly been carried out at 1800 MHz which is most appropriate considering the common indoor systems. The usage of the models at other frequency bands is possible when the material parameters of the propagation environment are known.