Title

 On Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Model For Path Loss Prediction in the VHF Band

Abstract

Path loss prediction models are essential in the planning of wireless systems, particularly in built-up environments. However, the efficacies of the empirical models depend on the local ambient characteristics of the propagation environments. This paper introduces artificial intelligence in path loss prediction in the VHF band by proposing an adaptive neuro-fuzzy (NF) model. The model uses five-layer optimized NF network based on back propagation gradient descent algorithm and least square errors estimate. Electromagnetic field strengths from the transmitter of the NTA Ilorin, which operates at a frequency of 203.25 MHz, were measured along four routes. The prediction results of the proposed model were compared to those obtained via the widely used empirical models. The performances of the models were evaluated using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Spread Corrected RMSE (SC-RMSE), Mean Error (ME), and Standard Deviation Error (SDE), relative to the measured data. Across all the routes covered in this study, the proposed NF model produced the lowest RMSE and ME, while the SDE and the SC-RMSE were dependent on the terrain and clutter covers of the routes. Thus, the efficacy of the adaptive NF model was validated and can be used for effective coverage and interference planning.

Keywords

 COST 231, generalized bell, Hata, neuro-fuzzy, path loss

Authors

 Namzat T. Surajudeen-Baikinde 
 (Univeristy of Ilorin, Nigeria) 

Nazmat Toyin Surajudeen-Bakinde is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of University of Ilorin, where she obtained her Bachelor of Engineering and Masters of Engineering degrees in 1997 and 2004 respectively. She was awarded her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Electronics in 2010 from University of Liverpool, in United Kingdom. She specializes in wireless communications and has been published in reputable journals and book chapters. She is also a reviewer for local and international journals. Her current research interests include propagation models for mobile personal communication systems, Internet-of-Things, colocation of multiple wireless base stations and sustainable energy diversity. Dr. Surajudeen-Bakinde is a registered member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and one of the examiners of COREN registration exercise for corporate members. She has also been appointed as a resource person in the COREN accreditation of engineering programmes in some Universities and Polytechnics in Nigeria.  She is equally registered with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), USA. She has served the University in various positions at the departmental, faculty and University levels, locally and internationally. Dr. Surajudeen-Bakinde was an Assistant Director (Administration), for the Centre for International Education of the University of Ilorin. She is presently the Acting Head of Department, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Ilorin.

Nasir Faruk 
(Univeristy of Ilorin, Nigeria) 

 Nasir Faruk is a Senior lecturer in the   Department of Telecommunication Science and Deputy Director of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He received his PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at University of Ilorin, Nigeria in 2015, his Masters of Science in Mobile & High Speed Telecommunication Networks with distinction from Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK in 2010 and his Bachelor of Science in Physics with first class honours  from Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria in 2007. Dr. Faruk joined the service of the University of Ilorin in 2010. From 2015-2016, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Communication and Networking within the School of Electrical Engineering, at Aalto University, Finland where he lead the group that proposed an energy efficient self-backhaul solution for future Heterogeneous networks. He received numerous research grants and fellowships from University of Ilorin, TETFUND, AFRINIC/FIRE, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, Extensia Ltd and IEEE. He has participated in the TPC of numerous international conferences. He is an author or co-author of over 50 scientific publications and his research interests lie in the areas of Radio Propagation, heterogeneous networks, Spectrum management, energy efficiency of access and backhaul networks, disaster & public safety networks and universal rural telecommunication networks.

Muhammed Salman
(Univeristy of Ilorin, Nigeria)

Muhammed Abiodun Salman​ obtained a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) with a second class upper division between 2006 and 2011 and currently a Masters degree student in the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in the University of Ilorin. He is a certified Engineer under the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He is also a member of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) which is a subsidiary of the International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA).   

Segun Popoola
(Covenant Univeristy, Nigeria)

Segun I. Popoola is currently on the verge of completing his Master of Engineering (M.Eng) program in Information and Communication Engineering at the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria. He graduated from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria with a Bachelor of Technology (First Class) degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Segun was awarded the best graduate student in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering by the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) in conjunction with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). He has authored and co-authored more than twenty five (25) academic papers published in international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He is a member of International Association of Engineers (IAENG). His research interests are in, but not limited to: wireless communications, machine learning, radio propagation modeling, Internet of Things (IoT); cloud computing, and Smart and Connected Cities.

Abdulkarim Oloyede
(Univeristy of Ilorin, Nigeria)

Abdulkarim A. Oloyede is currently a lecturer in the Department of Telecommunication Science at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He is also the Head of Kwara State University (KWASU) Radio and TV unit and an adjunct lecturer with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of KWASU. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG) of the ITU-D. Dr Oloyode is a member appointed by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Nigeria to the Implementation committee of the ICT University of Nigeria. He received his first degree in Electrical Engineering from Bayero University in Kano, M.Sc, and PhD degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Department of Electronics Engineering, University of York in England in 2008, 2011 and 2015 respectively. He is a registered member of both Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). His current interests includes, Engineering education, Spectrum pricing, Cognitive radio, Topology Management, and Energy efficient wireless networks. He is theauthor or co-author ofover 35 scientific and non-scientific publications. He has presented at various conferences around the world and in reputable journals. He is also a member the Nigeria Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for ITU –D and ITU-R where he has represented Nigeria in various conferences and meetings of ITU. He enjoys traveling and has visited over 30 different countries across the globe.

Lukman A. Olawoyin  
(Univeristy of Ilorin, Nigeria) 

Lukman Abiodun Olawoyin received his Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria in 2003. He obtained a master of science (M.Sc) in modern digital communication system (MDCS) at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom in 2010. In 2016, he obtained his doctoral degree in Information and Signal Processing at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunication (BUPT), Beijing, China.. He is a Registered Engineer, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).  He is a member of professional societies including Corporate Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE). His area of research interest is on signal processing, multiuser system, MIMO system, D2D communication and physical layer security.