Radio Propagation Modeling: A Unified View of the Ray-Tracing Image Method Across Emerging Indoor and Outdoor Environments

A fundamental approach in the optimal design of wireless communication systems is a proper comprehension of radio wave propagation through wireless channels. As wireless communications become more ubiquitous, new propagation environments emerge and the propagation mechanisms therein are being constantly investigated. The objectives of this chapter are twofold: firstly, to give a succinct review of new and emerging complex environments that require fine-tuning of the propagation models since traditional propagation models that simplify the propagation environment by ignoring the small and fine structures are no longer valid for such complex environments and, secondly, to recount the fundamental concepts of radio propagation modeling and its significance, as well as the basic propagation mechanisms and ray-tracing image method. These fundamental working principles of ray-tracing image method can be utilized both for indoor and outdoor environments because these two settings are governed in essence by the same propagation mechanisms.