![Monte Carlo based time variation of signals in broadcast network simulations](https://www.ebu-cdn.ch/sites/tech/files/shared/techreview/trev_2020-Q1_Monte_Carlo_Time_Variations.pdf/thumbnail-512.webp)
Changes in the wireless channel may cause the field strength of radio frequency signals to vary over the course of time at any given receiving location.
This article investigates a time variation model for Monte Carlo simulations that reflects the full distribution of field strengths as they vary over time.
The conventional time variation model used by broadcasters is to compute the wanted and interfering signal field strengths at their 50%-time and 1%-time levels respectively (referred to as the ‘50:1’ model). This ensures that the wanted signal is protected against interfering signals for 99% of time.
Hexagonal network simulations are used to compare the conventional and Monte Carlo time variation models applied to 5G Broadcast as an example. The results of these simulations are then discussed.