COST 231-Hata Propagation Model Optimization in 1800 MHz Band Based on Magnetic Optimization Algorithm: Application to the City of Limbé

Network planning is essential for the construction and the development of wireless networks. The network planning cannot be possible without an appropriate propagation model which in fact is its foundation. Initially used mainly for mobile radio networks, the optimization of propagation model is becoming essential for efficient deployment of the network in different types of environment, namely rural, suburban and urban especially with the emergence of concepts such as digital terrestrial television, smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT) with wide deployment for different use cases such as smart grid, smart metering of electricity, gas and water. In this paper we use an optimization algorithm that is inspired by the principles of magnetic field theory namely Magnetic Optimization Algorithm (MOA) to tune COST231-Hata propagation model. The dataset used is the result of drive tests carry out on field in the town of Limbe in Cameroon. We take into account the standard K-factor model and then use the MOA algorithm in order to set up a propagation model adapted to the physical environment of a town. The town of Limbe is used as an implementation case, but the proposed method can be used everywhere. The calculation of the root mean square error (RMSE) between the real data from the radio measurements and the prediction data obtained after the implementation of MOA allows the validation of the results. A comparative study between the value of the RMSE obtained by the new model and those obtained by the optimization using linear regression, by the standard COST231-Hata models, and the free space model is also done, this allows us to conclude that the new model obtained using MOA for the city of Limbe is better and more representative of this local environment than the standard COST231-Hata model. The new model obtained can be used for radio planning in the city of Limbé in Cameroon.