A Panoramic View of Ionospheric Reflection and Transmission Under Ambient and Disturbed Conditions

Item

Title
A Panoramic View of Ionospheric Reflection and Transmission Under Ambient and Disturbed Conditions
Creator
Booker, H. G.
Crain, C. M.
Field, E. C.
Date
1970
Identifier
ADA596073
ADA596073
Abstract
This report is part of Rand's continuing study of the effects of abnormally ionized atmospheres, such as those produced by nuclear bursts, on the propagation of radio waves and on military radio communication systems, present and future. As a tool useful for providing answers to many problems arising in such studies, we have developed a general computer program which could be applied over a wide range of frequencies (typically 10(-3) to 10(10) Hz) for any specified vertical ionization structure of the atmosphere. Both electrons and positive and negative ions are included in the program. For specified frequencies, angle of wave incidence on the ionosphere, and ionization profiles the program provides the real and imaginary components of the complex refractive index at all heights, the local wavelength of the signal, the differential absorption at all heights, and the reflection and transmission parameters for the nonpenetrating and penetrating signal components, respectively. The program provides results for either quasi-longitudinal or quasi-transverse conditions of transmission. The program is developed from a ray theory approach and as such has certain restrictions and accuracy limitations, in particular at the lower frequencies used. Despite such limitations the program is a very versatile tool for obtaining results which can be applied to practical assessment of many problems in radio transmission, both for earth-to-earth and earth-to-space radio links, and for ambient or arbitrarily disturbed ionospheres.
Date Issued
1970-11
Extent
40
Corporate Author
RAND Corporation
Corporate Report Number
R-559-PR
Contract
F44620-67-C-0045
DoD Project
Project RAND
Distribution Conflict
No
Access Rights
THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE AND SALE; ITS DISTRIBUTION IS UNLIMITED.
Photo Quality
Not Needed
Distribution Classification
1
DTIC Record Exists
Yes
Report Availability
Full text available by request
Provenance
Borg-Warner
Type
report
Format
40 pages ; 28 cm.