Pre-processing of digital topografic databasesfor radio waves propagation modeling

Abstract

The application of propagation prediction models requires topographical information, which is used in calculating the layers of topographical model. The accuracy of propagation prediction depends on accuracy of a topographic model, that is how accurately the topographic model represents the real world. The most common practice is to acquire digital topographical databases from national mapping agencies or mapping, GIS companies. Therefore the structure of digital topographic databases is oriented to production and maintenance of maps, but not propagation studies. In the paper the method of pre-processing of digital topographic databases for their use in propagation studies is proposed. A detailed description how topographic model can be enhanced by using GIS tools and how this pre-processing of topographic data can improve the accuracy of predictions is demonstrated on the sample of Lithuanian database M1:50 000.