Computer simulations of changes in radar refractivity in the lower atmosphere
Abstract
A system of numerical models has been developed and applied to the study of anomalous radar propagation in the atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL). One component of this system is a two-dimensional numerical model of the PBL. A second major component is the Applied Physics Laboratory's Electromagnetic Parabolic Equation (EMPE) code, which takes values of radar refractivity obtained from the boundary layer code and predicts for specified antenna parameters the expected propagation loss as a function of height, range, and/or time of day. The potential utility of this model system is demonstrated by using the boundary-layer model to predict refractivity changes associated with a land-sea interface. The effects of environmental changes on a radar coverage are seen in sample EMPE simulations.
- Publication:
-
19th Annual Summer Computer Simulation Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987scos.conf..295S
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Boundary Layer;
- Atmospheric Refraction;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Lower Atmosphere;
- Radar Transmission;
- Antenna Radiation Patterns;
- Atmospheric Attenuation;
- Mathematical Models;
- Superhigh Frequencies;
- Two Dimensional Models;
- Ultrahigh Frequencies;
- Communications and Radar