Proceedings of the 2022 IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Signal & Power Integrity, Spokane, WA, August 2-5, 2022

Measuring Tropospheric Propagation in the 21st Century

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Adam C. Hicks ORCID logo, Google Scholar logo, Scopus logo, Web of Science logo, John D. Ewan, William Kozma Jr. ORCID logo, Google Scholar logo, Scopus logo, Web of Science logo, and Michael G. Cotton ORCID logoGoogle Scholar logoScopus logoWeb of Science logo

Abstract: This article is intended to motivate and describe a new tropospheric scatter modelling and measurement validation effort that is underway at the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS). Immediately after World War II, there was a flurry of research conducted to investigate the phenomenon of forward scattering through the troposphere, or troposcatter, for over-the-horizon radio links. During the early 1950s, ITS researchers carried out an extensive measurement campaign now summarized in the ITS technical report Cheyenne Mountain Tropospheric Propagation Experiments [1]. Several propagation models were developed from this effort as well as from similar follow-on measurement campaigns, such as the Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and IF-77 (ITS-FAA air-to-ground propagation model, circa 1977). These models are based on simplified assumptions, but they are still used in today’s spectrum policy decisions. ITS engineers are currently developing a modern measurement system that incorporates the latest RF hardware capabilities and takes advantage of the extensive information now available about our meteorological and geographical environment to improve the accuracy of these models. This paper describes the current and proposed deployments of this modern and upgraded ITS troposcatter measurement system.

Keywords: modeling; propagation modeling; Irregular Terrain Model (ITM); tropospheric propagation; IF-77 Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Model; tropospheric propagation measurement; test and validation

For technical information concerning this report, contact:

Adam C. Hicks
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

For questions or information on this or any other NTIA scientific publication, contact the ITS Publications Office at ITSinfo@ntia.gov or 303-497-3572.

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