Radio propagation planning requires the use of propagation models in planning cell size as well as frequency assignment. This paper presents a comparative study of path loss predicted using COST 231 Hata model and ECC-33 model on received signal strength data collected from three deployed GSM networks at 1800MHz in Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research environment (NIFOR), Edo State, Nigeria. Based on the Mean Prediction Error (MPE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values obtained from the comparison, the COST 231 Hata model was tuned using the least square approach. The result obtained after tuning shows that for Network A; MPE andRMSE values reduces to 1.17 dB and 5.5dB. For Network B, MPE and RMSE values reduces to 2.26 dB and 7.16dB. While, for Network C; MPE and RMSE values reduces to 6.21 dB and 10.78dB. The results obtained show that the tuned COST 231 Hata model can be used for radio planning in the study environment as well as other environment with similar terrain profile. Keywords: Propagation model, Path loss, COST 231 Hata model, ECC-33 model, Least square tuning approach, MPE and RMSE

Various research studies have been carried out by different researchers on the behaviour of radio wave within different environment under different environmental and geographical conditions. The models derived are specific for the respective environment. To validate the model, field measurements were carried out at different locations within Epe town and its environs. The measurements system consist of live radio base stations transmitting at 900MHz and 1800MHz. Downlink signal strength level data were collected using drive test exercise consisting of test mobile phones, TEMS investigating software, MapInfo and Google earth. The respective path loss values were estimated and compared with existing model like OkumuraHata model for rural, suburban and urban areas. The result indicated an appreciable consistency with the empirical models except for rural areas.

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This work is a study of radio refractivity in Akure This work is a study of radio refractivity in Akure This work is a study of radio refractivity in Akure This work is a study of radio refractivity in Akure-Owo Digital Microwave Link in South Western Nigeria. Owo Digital Microwave Link in South Western Nigeria. Owo Digital Microwave Link in South Western Nigeria. Owo Digital Microwave Link in South Western Nigeria. Meteorological data of air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, and water vapour Meteorological data of air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, and water vapour Meteorological data of air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, and water vapour Meteorological data of air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, and water vapour pressure were pressure were pressure were pressure were measured between January and December 2006 at the observatory centre of the Nigerian meteorological agency measured between January and December 2006 at the observatory centre of the Nigerian meteorological agency measured between January and December 2006 at the observatory centre of the Nigerian meteorological agency measured between January and December 2006 at the observatory centre of the Nigerian meteorological agency (NIMET) situated (NIMET) situated (NIMET) situated (NIMET) situated at Akure at Akure at Akure at Akure Airport. Airport. Airport. Airport. Th Th Th The meteorological data collected were computed to obtain the refractivity, e meteorological data collected were computed to obtain the refractivity, e meteorological data collected were computed to obtain the refractivity, e meteorological data collected were computed to obtain the refractivity, refractivity gradient and earth radius factor. refractivity gradient and earth radius factor. refractivity gradient and earth radius factor. refractivity gradient and earth radius factor. The The The The results of the study show results of the study show results of the study show results of the study show that the refractivity gradient was greater that the refractivity gradient was greater that the refractivity gradient was greater that the refractivity gradient was greater than zero and vary slightly throughout the months of the year than zero and vary slightly throughout the months of the year than zero and vary slightly throughout the months of the year than zero and vary slightly throughout the months of the year 2006. The highest value of refractivity gradient was 2006. The highest value of refractivity gradient was 2006. The highest value of refractivity gradient was 2006. The highest value of refractivity gradient was in April and lowest value in September, the effective earth radius factor was observed to be less than one which in April and lowest value in September, the effective earth radius factor was observed to be less than one which in April and lowest value in September, the effective earth radius factor was observed to be less than one which in April and lowest value in September, the ef...