System and method for adaptively predicting radio wave propagation

A computing system for predicting radio wave propagation from a base station, said computing system comprising:

• a processor;
• a computer-readable storage medium;
• and
• executable code recorded on said computer-readable storage medium for instructing said processor to perform operations comprising:
• defining a plurality of radials emanating from said base station;
• for each of said radials, selecting one segment from a plurality of segments describing said radial;
• ascertaining a propagation environment through which said one segment traverses, said propagation environment being one of a clutter-based environment and a flat-earth environment;
• obtaining a switching parameter relative to said flat-earth environment;
• utilizing a clutter-based land propagation model to predict said radio wave propagation at said one segment when said switching parameter fails to exceed a threshold;
• and
• employing a flat-earth propagation model to predict said radio wave propagation at said one segment when said switching parameter exceeds said threshold.

A computer-readable storage medium containing executable code for instructing a processor to choose one of a first propagation model and a second propagation model for predicting radio wave propagation along a radial emanating from a base station, said executable code instructing said processor to perform operations comprising:

• selecting one segment from a plurality of segments describing said radial;
• ascertaining a propagation environment through which said one segment traverses, said propagation environment being one of a first propagation environment and a second propagation environment;
• defining a threshold at which said second propagation environment exerts a greater influence on said radio wave propagation than said first propagation environment;
• obtaining a switching parameter relative to said second propagation environment;
• choosing said first propagation model to predict said radio wave propagation at said one segment when said switching parameter fails to exceed said threshold;
• and
• choosing said second propagation model to predict said radio wave propagation at said one segment when said switching parameter exceeds said threshold.