Analysis of the multipath environment for APATS testing

Phase 2 of the ARIA Phased Array Telemetry System (APATS) test program will include tower-air-ground (TAG) testing of system sensitivity, tracking capability, and other functions. As presently envisioned, these test configurations involve propagation paths for which transmitter and receiver (APATS) heights are small relative to baseline separations and interference caused by multipath propagation must be considered in the context of the test objectives. A two-path propagation model which incorporates specular reflection from the Earth is developed and calculations are performed for typical test configurations. The anticipated effects and ramifications of multipath interference are discussed and specific test configurations are recommended.