Three-Dimensional Ray-Tracing-Based Propagation Prediction Model for Macrocellular Environment at Sub-6 GHz Frequencies

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper presents a 3D ray-tracing model using geometrical optics and the uniform theory of diffraction in radio channel characterizations of macrocellular environments. Based on the environmental information obtained from a digitized map, the model is effectively applied

The ray-tracing (RT) prediction model is considered the most powerful in terms of accuracy and can be an effective tool to obtain location-specific predictions of power, delay, and angles of transmitted and received radio waves.  The paper proposes a deterministic RT method that should be modified and employed for macrocellular environments with larger coverage and more complex environments at Sub-6 GHz frequency. This model is based on the ray path classification technique and can solve some of the problems concerning RT methods. The claimed contributions of this article are a) More detailed environmental structures; b ) the path classification technology adopted to the determination efficiency of the multipath components (rays) between Tx and Rx; and c) a hybrid propagation model based on the statistical model-assisted RT algorithm.

Therefore this paper is clear and the results are consistent by considering the presented idea. However, these proposed contributions are not advanced in RT methods to justify the paper. As an example, there are no recent papers cited used to compare methods or results.

There are typos. I recommend a grammatical review

This paper is clear and the results are consistent by considering the presented idea. However, these proposed contributions are not advanced in RT methods to justify the paper. As an example, there are no recent papers cited used to compare methods or results.

There are typos. I recommend a grammatical review

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

1. Please explain the meaning of the factor A_l^d from relation (1), as it misses from the text.

2. Please introduce a graph which practically demonstrates the differences in simulation results obtained with the current improved RT method, in comparison to the "classical" RT method. Maybe for the situation presented in Fig. 8, if possible, it would be interesting. And afterwards, please calculate the mean and stdev for the two simulations versus measurement and comment.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you for the replies provided, the authors replied to each of my comments.