Quantifying electromagnetic wave propagation environment using measurements from a small buoy
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Authors
Sweeney, Andrew E.
Subjects
evaporation duct
CASPER
modified refractivity
air-sea interaction
CASPER
modified refractivity
air-sea interaction
Advisors
Wang, Qing
Date of Issue
2017-06
Date
Jun-17
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This thesis work is part of a major research effort, the Coupled Air Sea Processes and Electromagnetic (EM) ducting Research (CASPER), to understand air-sea interaction processes and their representation in prediction models in order to quantify abnormal propagations of EM signals through the atmosphere. This thesis work focuses on the evaluation of the measurements from a small buoy, the Marine Air-Sea Flux (MASFlux) buoy, for obtaining evaporation duct properties. MASFlux was deployed during CASPER-Pilot and CASPER-East field campaigns and was analyzed. This thesis demonstrated the measurement capability of MASFlux in revealing the near-surface gradient in scalars and wind together with atmospheric turbulence and surface waves in minimally disturbed marine environment. The use of the MASFlux measurements as input to a Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST) evaporation duct model, such as the modified Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) model, was systematically evaluated using both CASPER-Pilot and East datasets. Finally, the value of MASFlux measurements to reveal the near surface vertical profiles is demonstrated by employing data from multiple research platforms that provided concurrent/co-located data at different altitudes. This increased resolution at the air-sea interface provides greater accuracy for determining evaporation duct profiles, which is vital for producing accurate EM propagation models.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.