Analysis of Low Grazing-Angle Forward Scatter Data from the Mountain-Top Propagation Experiment

The characteristics of low grazing angle propagation over the ocean are an important factor in understanding the potential performance of systems in a wide variety of applications, including communication links, radar detection of low flying targets, and periscope detetion. To that end, propagation data has been taken at VHF/UHF over the ocean under the ARPA-sponsored ADI Mountain-Top program. this data has been reduced to some degree, however, a detailed analysis of the data for the purposes of model validation has yet to be performed. To fully realize the benefits of this measurement program, the data must be analyzed, characterized, and used to validate propagation and scattering models which can be used for performance analysis of advanced radar and communications systems. Information Systems Laboratories, Inc. and CODAR Ocean Sensors, Ltd., propose to analyze a subset of the propagation data under Phase I. This will allow for a preliminary comparison of the data propagation and scattering models. Based on this preliminary analysis, a detailed test plan will be developed to analyze the remaining Mountain-Top propagation data and validate models for use in radar and communication system performance analysis. Anticipated Benefits: It is anticipated that this work would benefit many radar and communication system programs in the HF/VHF band, including both military and commercial systems. There are many commercial applications involving radio waves near the sea. Maritime communications systems often involve transmitters and receivers just above the sea Commercial radars are being used increasingly to map ocean surface currents and to monitor sea state, including those made by CODAR Ocean Sensors, Ltd.