Propagation and Channel Models

Site and terrain visualization, propagation model specification (including Longley-Rice), signal strength, signal coverage maps, and static and fading channel models

RF path propagation modeling describes the behavior of electromagnetic radiation from a point of transmission as the signal travels through the surrounding environment. Model RF propagation paths and visualize them in 3-D.

Channel modeling describes the over-the-air environment in communications system links. Analysis of propagation and channel modelling is essential in understanding how electromagnetic waves incur losses from a transmitter to a receiver in different scenarios. Model and visualize noisy SISO and MIMO channels that have Rayleigh, Rician, or WINNER II fading profiles. Atmospheric impairments and multiple Doppler spectrum shapes are also available.

Apps

Wireless Channel Designer

Design and analyze wireless channels (Since R2025a)

Functions

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RF Propagation

Map Data

`addCustomBasemap`	Add custom basemap
`addCustomTerrain`	Add custom terrain data
`removeCustomBasemap`	Remove custom basemap
`removeCustomTerrain`	Remove custom terrain data

Site

`show`	Show site in Site Viewer
`hide`	Hide site from Site Viewer
`distance`	Distance between sites
`angle`	Angle between sites
`elevation`	Elevation of site
`location`	Coordinates at distance and angle from site

Camera Navigation

`campos`	Set or query position of camera for Site Viewer (Since R2025a)
`camheight`	Set or query height of camera for Site Viewer (Since R2025a)
`camheading`	Set or query heading angle of camera for Site Viewer (Since R2025a)
`campitch`	Set or query pitch angle of camera for Site Viewer (Since R2025a)
`camroll`	Set or query roll angle of camera for Site Viewer (Since R2025a)

Propagation and Visualization

`coverage`	Display or compute coverage map
`pattern`	Display antenna radiation pattern in Site Viewer
`sinr`	Display or compute signal-to-interference-plus-noise (SINR) ratio
`link`	Display or compute communication link status
`sigstrength`	Received signal strength
`raytrace`	Display or compute RF propagation rays
`los`	Display or compute line-of-sight (LOS) visibility status
`propagationModel`	Create RF propagation model
`pathloss`	Path loss of radio wave propagation

Path Loss

`cranerainpl`	RF signal attenuation due to rainfall using Crane model
`rainpl`	RF signal attenuation due to rainfall using ITU model
`gaspl`	RF signal attenuation due to atmosphere gaseous absorption
`fogpl`	RF signal attenuation due to fog and clouds
`fspl`	Free space path loss
`raypl`	Path loss and phase change for RF propagation ray
`buildingMaterialPermittivity`	Permittivity and conductivity of building materials
`earthSurfacePermittivity`	Permittivity and conductivity of earth surface materials

Coordinate System Transformations

`rangeangle`	Range and angle calculation
`global2localcoord`	Convert global to local coordinates
`local2globalcoord`	Convert local to global coordinates
`cart2sphvec`	Convert vector from Cartesian components to spherical representation
`sph2cartvec`	Convert vector from spherical basis components to Cartesian components

Channel Modeling

Channel Models

`awgn`	Add white Gaussian noise to signal
`bsc`	Binary symmetric channel
`stdchan`	Construct channel System object from set of standardized channel models

Channel Utilities

`channelDelay`	Channel timing delay
`convertSNR`	Convert SNR values (Since R2022a)
`ofdmChannelResponse`	Calculate OFDM channel response (Since R2023a)
`doppler`	Construct Doppler spectrum structure
`winner2.AntennaArray`	Create antenna array for WINNER II channel model
`winner2.dipole`	Calculate half-wavelength dipole field pattern for WINNER II channel model
`winner2.layoutparset`	WINNER II layout parameter configuration
`winner2.wim`	Generate channel coefficients using WINNER II channel model
`winner2.wimparset`	WINNER II model parameter configuration

Objects

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RF Propagation

Sites

`txsite`	Create RF transmitter site
`rxsite`	Create RF receiver site
`siteviewer`	Create Site Viewer
`arrayConfig`	Create phased array configuration (Since R2020b)

Propagation Models

`FreeSpace`	Free space propagation model
`Rain`	Rain propagation model
`Gas`	Gas propagation model
`Fog`	Fog propagation model
`CloseIn`	Close-in propagation model
`LongleyRice`	Longley-Rice propagation model
`RayTracing`	Ray tracing propagation model

Propagation Data

`propagationData`	Create RF propagation data from measurements
`comm.Ray`	Create RF propagation ray

Channel Modeling

Channel Models

`comm.AWGNChannel`	Add white Gaussian noise to input signal
`comm.RayTracingChannel`	Filter signal through multipath fading channel defined by propagation rays (Since R2020b)
`comm.RayleighChannel`	Filter input signal through multipath Rayleigh fading channel
`comm.RicianChannel`	Filter input signal through multipath Rician fading channel
`comm.MIMOChannel`	Filter input signal through MIMO multipath fading channel
`comm.WINNER2Channel`	Filter input signal through WINNER II fading channel
`uwbChannel`	Filter input signal through UWB IEEE 802.15.4 a/z/ab channel (Since R2024a)

Channel Utilities

comm.ChannelFilter Filter signal using multipath gains at specified path delays (Since R2020b)

Blocks

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Path Loss

Free Space Path Loss

Apply free space path loss to complex signal

Channel Modeling

Channel Models

AWGN Channel	Add white Gaussian noise to input signal
Binary Symmetric Channel	Introduce binary errors
MIMO Fading Channel	Filter input signal through MIMO multipath fading channel
SISO Fading Channel	Filter input signal through SISO multipath fading channel

Channel Utilities

OFDM Channel Response

Calculate OFDM channel response (Since R2023a)

Topics

RF Propagation

Choose a Propagation Model
When to use the different propagation models based on frequency, type, and limitations.
RF Propagation and Visualization
Visualize coverage maps, SINR maps, and propagation paths in outdoor and indoor environments.
Ray Tracing for Wireless Communications
Ray tracing models predict propagation paths and corresponding losses using 3-D environment geometry and electromagnetic analysis.
Customize Buildings for Ray Tracing Analysis
Customize the buildings stored in an OpenStreetMap^® file and then perform ray tracing analysis on a scene created from the buildings. (Since R2023b)
Accelerate Ray Tracing Analysis Using GPU
Perform accelerated ray tracing analysis using a GPU. (Since R2025a)

Channel Modeling

AWGN Channel
Model channel and RF impairment characteristics.
Fading Channels
Defining a fading channel object and applying it to a signal.
Channel Visualization
These channel modeling System objects and blocks in Communications Toolbox™ include an option to visualize the characteristics of a fading channel.
WINNER II Channel
Model the WINNER II channel using the WINNER II Channel Model for Communications Toolbox add-on.

Featured Examples

New

Mobility Modeling with Ray Tracing Channel

Ray tracing channel to model mobility in a communications link.

Since R2025a
Open Live Script

Indoor MIMO-OFDM Communication Link Using Ray Tracing

Perform ray tracing in an indoor environment and use the results to build a channel model for a link level simulation with the MIMO-OFDM technique.

Open Live Script

Visualize Antenna Coverage Map and Communication Links

Calculate and visualize signal strength between a transmitter and multiple receivers. The visualizations include an area coverage map and colored communication links. The example also shows selection of a directional antenna in order to achieve a communication link to a specific location.

Open Live Script

Urban Link and Coverage Analysis Using Ray Tracing

Use ray tracing to analyze communication links and coverage areas in an urban environment.

Open Live Script

Analyze Communication Link for Aircraft over Seawater Using Ray Tracing

Use ray tracing to predict the path gain and signal strength of a radio link for an aircraft flying over seawater.

Open Live Script

Visualize Coverage Maps over Lunar Terrain Using Ray Tracing

Create a coverage map for a base station on the surface of the Moon using terrain data and ray tracing analysis.

Open Live Script

GSM, CDMA and WiMAX Channel Models

Simulate multipath fading channels defined for GSM, EDGE, CDMA, and WiMAX wireless standards.

Open Script

Multipath Fading Channel

Use Rayleigh and Rician multipath fading channel System objects and their built-in visualization to model a fading channel and display the spectral characteristics of the channel.

Open Live Script

Multipath Fading Channel in Simulink

Simulate multipath Rayleigh and Rician fading channels by using the SISO Fading Channel block.

Open Script

HF Ionospheric Channel Models

Simulate High-Frequency (HF) ionospheric channels, based on the models described in Recommendation ITU-R F.1487.

Open Live Script

Simultaneous Simulation of Multiple Fading Channels with WINNER II Channel Model

Set up a system with multiple base stations, multiple mobile stations, and multiple MIMO downlinks from one BS sector to one MS.

Open Live Script

802.11ac Multiuser MIMO Precoding with WINNER II Channel Model

Transmit and receive processing for a IEEE^® 802.11ac™ multiuser downlink transmission over a WINNER II fading channel.

Open Script

Adjacent and Co-Channel Interference

Use PSK-modulated signals to show the effects of adjacent and co-channel interference on a transmitted signal.

Open Model

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