Millimeter-wave propagation and remote sensing of the atmosphere
Abstract
The propagation characteristics in the millimeter-wave region of the spectrum are of particular interest because the waves have a strong interaction with lower atmospheric gases and particulates. The effects of this interaction are twofold: on the other hand, atmospheric absorption, scattering and refraction limit the performance of millimeter-wave systems; on the other hand, this interaction allows the propagated wave to be used as a diagnostic tool to probe lower atmospheric structure. The principal applications of millimeter waves have been in the areas of communications, radar, and remote sensing. The availability of large bandwidths makes this region of the spectrum particularly attractive for high data rate communications. Because the angular resolution of an aperture is inversely proportional to wavelength, higher resolution antennas are achievable at millimeter waves than at longer wavelengths.
- Publication:
-
Unknown
- Pub Date:
- December 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983mwpr.rept.....A
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Physics;
- Earth Atmosphere;
- Millimeter Waves;
- Remote Sensing;
- Wave Propagation;
- Angular Resolution;
- Atmospheric Attenuation;
- Bandwidth;
- Communication Equipment;
- Frequencies;
- High Resolution;
- Particulates;
- Radar;
- Geophysics