Sionna ray tracing vs. real-world measurements: Signal strength comparison in rural scenarios with foliage
Data files
Jun 26, 2025 version files 8.74 MB
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README.md
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Sionna_Ray_Tracing_Real_World_Measurements.zip
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Abstract
This dataset contains received signal strength (RSS) simulation results generated using NVIDIA Sionna's ray tracing, along with real-world UAV-based measurements collected at the NSF AERPAW testbed. The UAV follows a predefined trajectory in a rural environment, transmitting signals to five ground-based towers equipped with dual-channel USRP B210 devices. Corresponding ray tracing simulations are conducted using identical trajectory and transceiver settings. The dataset includes three main components: (1) raw GPS and RSS measurements, (2) ray tracing simulation outputs, and (3) post-processed data aligned for direct comparison. MATLAB scripts are provided to support trajectory visualization, RSS calibration, and comparative analysis. This dataset enables studies in RF propagation modeling, validation of ray tracing simulations, and rural coverage analysis for UAV communication systems.
Sionna ray tracing vs. real-world measurements: Signal strength comparison in rural scenarios with foliage
Description of the data and file structure
We use the NVIDIA Sionna ray tracing tool for RF signal strength analysis in rural scenarios with foliage. To verify the results, we use real-world measurement data in the NSF AERPAW Testbed. The UAV flies over the predefined trajectory and five towers (LW1 ~ LW5) in the test bed receive (B210, dual channel USRP) the transmitted signal from the UAV. The Sionna ray tracing is conducted using the same trajectory as the measurement campaign. More information about the simulation setups and ray tracing scenarios is available at https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.10324.
Dataset Structure
Note: Datasets are annotated as D (ex., D1, D2, …) and Scripts are annotated as C (ex,. C1, C2, …)
List of files
D1_RSS_MeasurementsD2_RT_RSS_results_data.matD3_RT_Measurement_RSS_postprocessed_data.matC1_trajectory_altitude.mC2_RSS_postprocessing.mC3_RSS_comparison.m
Descriptions
D1_RSS_Measurements
This folder includes GPS and received signal strength (RSS) measurements from the AERPAW testbed. This folder separately has five sub-folders for measurements from five different towers (LW1 ~ LW5).D2_RT_RSS_results_data.mat
This mat file includes ray tracing results from NVIDIA Sionna. Propagation delay and path gain are stored in this mat file.D3_RT_Measurement_RSS_postprocessed_data.mat
This mat file includes post-processed (plot-ready) RSS results of 1) Sionna ray tracing results; 2) USRP measurements (calibrated, channel 1); and 3) USRP measurements (calibrated, channel 2).C1_trajectory_altitude.m
This script plots the predefined trajectory and altitude over time of the UAV in the measurement campaign.D1_RSS_Measurementsis required.C2_RSS_postprocessing.m
This script is for post-processing for Sionna and dual-channel USRP measurement results. The output of this script isD3_RT_Measurement_RSS_postprocessed_data.mat. It includes RSS calculation and calibration procedures for Sionna ray tracing results and USRP measurements, respectively.C3_RSS_comparison.m
This script is for plotting RSS results of 1) Sionna ray tracing results; 2) USRP measurements (calibrated, channel 1); and 3) USRP measurements (calibrated, channel 2). The script plots five subfigures to show separately the results from five different towers.
Key Variables
In D3_RT_Measurement_RSS_postprocessed_data.mat, the variable LWs is a 5x1 cell array, where each cell contains:
time_reference– Elapsed time in secondsRSS_arr_plot– Simulated RSS from Sionna (in dBm)RSS1_offset– Calibrated measured RSS from USRP channel 1 (in dBm)RSS2_offset– Calibrated measured RSS from USRP channel 2 (in dBm)
More Information
https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.10324
Required/Recommended Software for the Dataset
MATLAB (the dataset is based on MATLAB R2024a version)