Document #: 07-SP13.0.26-5R0
© 2025, EDX Wireless, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Description

EDX has updated its propagation model to enhance support for 3D polygon building data and allow for greater customization of the Anderson2D propagation model. This update enables independent adjustment of diffraction losses caused by buildings and those caused by terrain.

SignalPro now includes these settings, with a default configuration of one (1), for all projects loaded in the latest version. Consequently, previously calculated study results remain unaffected by the update unless you change the default setting and rerun the study.

Procedure

Adjust terrain diffraction and building diffraction settings as follows:

1. In the Menu Bar, click Studies/Propagation Models to display the Propagation Models dialog, similar to the following:
   
   

   Open

   

   Propagation Models Dialog
   
   

2. For any model group that uses the Anderson2D propagation type, you can click Supplemental Data under Additional Data to display the Anderson 2D Supplemental Data dialog, similar to the following:
   
   

   Open

   

   Anderson 2D Supplemental Data Dialog

    

3. Adjust the Terrain diffraction factor and Building diffraction factor settings to have the Anderson2D model apply them when you recalculate any study or use the Test Against Measurements function for model validation. The model multiplies any loss from either terrain or 3D buildings (if you selected Use building data) by this factor when it finds obstructions while evaluating a radio path. 

Notes:
A. In dense urban areas with significant building shadowing, you may find more accurate results by reducing the building diffraction factor from its default of one (1) to reduce the impact of direct building shadowing and account for the likelihood of useful reflections into those shadowed areas.

B. Other use-cases such as steep, highly-reflective terrain may create conditions where reducing the terrain diffraction factor yields tighter agreement with field measurements.

C. EDX recommends starting with a value of 1.0 for both diffraction factors and adjusting them as needed based on field measurement data and experience.