Terrain Reflection Effects on Data Reception from Airborne Vehicles

Abstract

Propagation phenomena, particularly the interference between the direct and terrain reflected waves, strongly affect the path loss between the transmitting and receiving antennas. A method of analysis and computer-drawn patterns are presented to show the multi-lobed character and deep nulls, in range-altitude coverage, that result. Type of terrain, polarization, and antenna pattern effects are shown. Application of the results to system design is discussed.