Communication System Modelling
Virtual freedom to put novel ideas to the test rapidly and at a lower cost
Mimicking what’s going on in the real world is at the heart of communication system modelling – giving the freedom to explore and experiment with changes from the safety of a computer to see what works best.
It involves understanding and simulating all aspects of a communication system, including the environment it needs to operate in, how the radio waves propagate in that environment and how any device will be moving through it – in a car or aircraft, for example.
The environmental considerations could be something as simple as weather – heavy rain is a problem for certain frequencies, for example – or it could involve simulating solar rays in the upper atmosphere for satellite communications.
Smart city or industrial automation applications can be evaluated without having to build an actual test network – and communication systems for special events can be stress tested in advance to determine the WiFi capacity required for the expected attendance figures.
Real-world challenges
Key skills
- Advanced modelling and simulation
Proficiency in using simulation tools (e.g. MATLAB, ns-3, Python) to model complex communication systems and assess their performance under various scenarios.
- Efficient RF and signal processing techniques
Extensive experience in RF engineering and applying advanced signal processing techniques to mitigate interference and improve system capacity.
- Wireless system design and optimisation
Capability to design and optimise wireless communication systems, including WiFi and 5G networks, using knowledge of protocols and channel characteristics.
- Internet of Things (IoT) and smart systems development
Proficiency in designing low-bandwidth applications for IoT devices, including network planning and protocol design tailored for smart city and industrial automation.
- Link budget and network planning
Competence in performing link budget analysis and strategic network planning for both cellular and ad hoc networks to ensure coverage and capacity.
- Practical implementation of theory
Experience in translating theoretical models and simulations into real-world applications, demonstrating technological agility and innovation.
Modelling allows us to try out a wide variety of configurations, test how the system performs under difficult circumstances or evaluate novel techniques. This can be done much more rapidly and at a lower cost than building an actual test network. It also allows us to try things which may be difficult to achieve or rare in the real world, find out how it scales or evaluate technologies which are not yet available.
Dr Tom Rouse
Principal Consultant
What sets us apart in communication system modelling?
Plextek’s wide range of skills and experience enables us to choose the right tools and produce accurate results which are relevant for each specific application, including:
- 5G
- AI & ML in communication systems
- Cellular and ad hoc network planning
- Channel interference
- High-bandwidth streaming optimisation
- Link budget
- Low-bandwidth IoT applications
- MATLAB
- Mobility and fading models
- Multi-user system modelling
- ns-3 simulator for network analysis
- Protocol design and optimisation
- Python
- RF propagation
- Signal processing
- Simulation tools for network planning
- WiFi capacity planning
- Wireless communications
Got a project in mind?
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Developing Automated Manufacturing Systems
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Distributed Real Time Spectrum Monitoring
Developing an innovative distributed spectrum monitoring system, using low-cost software-defined radio platforms, to provide superior interference detection and larger coverage for high-value sites.
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Vehicle Asset Management System
Designing a vehicle asset management system with custom-designed, multi-band cell and GPS antenna architecture, tightly integrated onto a PCB to meet stringent performance standards for the automotive insurance market.
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Marine Tracker
The team designed an advanced military-grade hybrid TETRA GPS smart tracker for ATLAS Telecom’s E-Passport programme, enhancing coastal security through cutting-edge surveillance and autonomous threat notification.
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Related Technical Papers
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Chilton Ionosonde Data & HF NVIS Predictions during Solar Cycle 23
This paper presents a comparison of Chilton ionosonde critical frequency measurements against vertical-incidence HF propagation predictions using ASAPS (Advanced Stand Alone Prediction System) and VOACAP (Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program). This analysis covers the time period from 1996 to 2010 (thereby covering solar cycle 23) and was carried out in the context of UK-centric near-vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) frequency predictions. Measured and predicted monthly median frequencies are compared, as are the upper and lower decile frequencies (10% and 90% respectively). The ASAPS basic MUF predictions generally agree with fxI (in lieu of fxF2) measurements, whereas those for VOACAP appear to be conservative for the Chilton ionosonde, particularly around solar maximum. Below ~4 MHz during winter nights around solar minimum, both ASAPS and VOACAP MUF predictions tend towards foF2, which is contrary to their underlying theory and requires further investigation. While VOACAP has greater errors at solar maximum, those for ASAPS increase at low or negative T-index values. Finally, VOACAP errors might be large when T-SSN exceeds ~15.
5-50+ GHz Tapered-Slot Antenna for Handheld Devices
A lightweight, wideband tapered-slot antenna that uses an antipodal Vivaldi design and provides useable gain from ~5 GHz to in excess of 50 GHz is described. Simulations and measurements are presented that show excellent agreement. This antenna design is currently deployed in handheld test equipment.
Empirical StreetLight Path-Loss Model at 868/915 MHz
This paper presents an initial empirical path-loss propagation model for communication links operating at street light/roof-top heights over the ranges of 100 m to 10 km in urban and suburban environments. The statistical path-loss model presented uses data taken from a significant number of deployed street-light telemetry systems transmitting in the licence exempt/ISM bands at 868 and 915 MHz. This propagation model provides a valuable tool for network planning where typical cellular propagation models might not be appropriate.