The log-distance path loss model is a radio propagation model that predicts the path loss a signal encounters inside a building or densely populated areas over long distance. While the log-distance model is suitable for longer distances, the short-distance path loss model is often used for indoor environments or very short outdoor distances. It's simpler and assumes a more direct line-of-sight propagation.

Log-distance path loss model is formally expressed as:

${\displaystyle L=L_{\text{Tx}}-L_{\text{Rx}}=L_{0}+10\gamma \log _{10}{\frac {d}{d_{0}}}+X_{\text{g}}}$

where

• ${\displaystyle {L}}$ is the total path loss in decibels (dB).
• ${\textstyle L_{\text{Tx}}=10\log _{10}{\frac {P_{\text{Tx}}}{\mathrm {1~mW} }}\mathrm {~dBm} }$ is the transmitted power level, and ${\displaystyle P_{\text{Tx}}}$ is the transmitted power.
• ${\textstyle L_{\text{Rx}}=10\log _{10}{\frac {P_{\text{Rx}}}{\mathrm {1~mW} }}\mathrm {~dBm} }$ is the received power level where ${\displaystyle {P_{\text{Rx}}}}$ is the received power.
• ${\displaystyle L_{0}}$ is the path loss in decibels (dB) at the reference distance ${\displaystyle d_{0}}$. This is based on either close-in measurements or calculated based on a free space assumption with the Friis free-space path loss model.^[1]
• ${\displaystyle {d}}$ is the length of the path.
• ${\displaystyle {d_{0}}}$ is the reference distance, usually 1 km (or 1 mile) for a large cell and 1 m to 10 m for a microcell.^[1]
• ${\displaystyle \gamma }$ is the path loss exponent.
• ${\displaystyle X_{\text{g}}}$ is a normal (Gaussian) random variable with zero mean, reflecting the attenuation (in decibels) caused by flat fading^{[citation needed]}. In the case of no fading, this variable is 0. In the case of only shadow fading or slow fading, this random variable may have Gaussian distribution with ${\displaystyle \sigma }$ standard deviation in decibels, resulting in a log-normal distribution of the received power in watts. In the case of only fast fading caused by multipath propagation, the corresponding fluctuation of the signal envelope in volts may be modelled as a random variable with Rayleigh distribution or Ricean distribution^[2] (and thus the corresponding power gain ${\textstyle F_{\text{g}}=10^{-X_{\text{g}}/10}}$ may be modelled as a random variable with exponential distribution).

This corresponds to the following non-logarithmic gain model:

${\displaystyle {\frac {P_{\text{Rx}}}{P_{\text{Tx}}}}={\frac {c_{0}F_{\text{g}}}{d^{\gamma }}},}$

where ${\textstyle c_{0}={d_{0}^{\gamma }}10^{-L_{0}/10}}$ is the average multiplicative gain at the reference distance ${\displaystyle d_{0}}$ from the transmitter. This gain depends on factors such as carrier frequency, antenna heights and antenna gain, for example due to directional antennas; and ${\textstyle F_{\text{g}}=10^{-X_{\text{g}}/10}}$ is a stochastic process that reflects flat fading. In case of only slow fading (shadowing), it may have log-normal distribution with parameter ${\displaystyle \sigma }$ dB. In case of only fast fading due to multipath propagation, its amplitude may have Rayleigh distribution or Ricean distribution. This can be convenient, because power is proportional to the square of amplitude. Squaring a Rayleigh-distributed random variable produces an exponentially distributed random variable. In many cases, exponential distributions are computationally convenient and allow direct closed-form calculations in many more situations than a Rayleigh (or even a Gaussian).

Empirical measurements of coefficients ${\displaystyle \gamma }$ and ${\displaystyle \sigma }$ in dB have shown the following values for a number of indoor wave propagation cases.^[3]

Building type	Frequency of transmission	${\displaystyle \gamma }$	${\displaystyle \sigma }$ [dB]
Vacuum, infinite space		2.0	0
Retail store	914 MHz	2.2	8.7
Grocery store	914 MHz	1.8	5.2
Office with hard partition	1.5 GHz	3.0	7
Office with soft partition	900 MHz	2.4	9.6
Office with soft partition	1.9 GHz	2.6	14.1
Textile or chemical	1.3 GHz	2.0	3.0
Textile or chemical	4 GHz	2.1	7.0, 9.7
Office	60 GHz	2.2	3.92
Commercial	60 GHz	1.7	7.9

• ITU model for indoor attenuation
• Radio propagation model
• Young model
• Path loss

• Seybold, John S. (2005). Introduction to RF Propagation. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Interscience. ISBN 9780471655961.
• Rappaport, Theodore S. (2002). Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall PTR. ISBN 9780130995728.