Propagation of Radio Waves in the Atmosphere

This course examines various propagation phenomena that influence transmission of radio frequency signals between two locations on earth and between satellite-earth terminals, with a focus on applications. Frequencies above 30 MHz are considered with emphasis on microwave and millimeter propagation. Topics include free space transmission, propagation, and reception; effects on waves traversing the ionosphere; and attenuation due to atmospheric gases, rain, and clouds. Brightness temperature concepts are discussed, and thermal noise introduced into the receiver system from receiver hardware and from atmospheric contributions are examined. Also described are reflection and diffraction effects by land terrain and ocean, multipath propagation, tropospheric refraction, propagation via surface and elevated ducts, scatter from fluctuations of the refractive index, and scattering due to rain. Atmospheric dynamics that contribute to the various types of propagation conditions in the troposphere are described. Prerequisite(s): An undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.