Modeling of packet cellular networks with log-normal shadowing

A performance analysis of packet cellular networks in the presence of shadowing is presented. Starting from the theories of level crossing and large excursions of gaussian processes, a statistical characterization of occurrence and duration of fading intervals is first obtained. Then, by considering also the statistics of activity-inactivity intervals of the mobile terminal, the probability function of the sequences of dropped packets is derived. Results are presented in terms of fading intervals statistics and probability function of dropped packet sequences for voice sources, in the presence and in the absence of a terminal buffer. A radio link design approach is also proposed and a design example is discussed.