Atmospheric effects on radio frequency (RF) wave propagation in a humid, near-surface environment
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Authors
Mason, Samuel P.
Subjects
Advisors
Guest, Peter S.
Goroch, Andreas K.
Date of Issue
2010-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Currently, the meteorological and physical phenomena associated with the various dynamic processes in the very near surface environment (for example, within the surface layer), are poorly understood. By properly characterizing what is happening in the real world, there is potential for obtaining an empirical formula that correlates well with real world data, and thus can be used as a means of quantifying these physical processes. This, in turn, can be used to more accurately model the effects of the atmosphere on RF waves. This thesis is an analysis of the propagation loss measurements taken from the Near Earth Propagation-6 (NEP-6), Panama City, FL, experiment in Aug 2009, where propagation loss was measured at 1768 MHz within a few wavelengths approximately (0.5 meters) of the surface. The results support and extend the near-surface, short range RF propagation conclusions drawn by Merrill et al. (2004). In particular, we focus on a novel technique that takes advantage of tidal sea level variation to continuously vary antenna height above the surface. Results confirm a strong dependence of propagation loss on antenna height similar to Merrill et al. (2004) observations.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xvi, 69 p. : col. ill. ;
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.