024

DIFFRACTION OVER SIMPLE TERRAIN OBSTACLES B Y THE METHOD OF PARABOLIC EQUATIONS

R J MCARTHUR , D H 0 BEBBINGTON

U N I V E R S R Y OF ESSEX, U K

INTR0DUCT1ON
The Parabolic Equation Method (PEM) has been developed in recent years to solve the problem of radio wave propagation in anomalous atmospheric conditions (e& ducting) in the troposphere [ 12,13,14]. The validity of this method has been investigated analytically by comparison with accepted models such as mode theory and ray tracing [I]. In addition to this it has been tested against experimental data and has shown considerable power in predicting radio coverage for radar in anomalous propagation conditions. The parabolic equation computer model for electromagnetic wave propagation has been developed for modelling propagation over fiat terrain, such as the sea, and until the work by Levy [2] had not been extended for use over irregularterrain. The numerical solution of the parabolic equation may be performed in two ways. The split step algorithm [7,12],and the finite difference method [ 2, 31. The split-step method is efficient because the algorithm is able to use standard routines in its solution. The method used by Levy to solve the parabolic equation for irregular terrain was the finite difference method and in some circumstances may be computationally intensive for terrain with steep slopes. The work reported here documents initial work on a method of adapting the split-step method of solving the parabolic equation for use on irregular terrain. The proposed extension models the terrain by linear segments of arbitrary gradient, however for the parabolic approximation to remain valid the gradient must not be larger than about 15", but step discontinuities are allowed. The initial investigation reported here looks at the fundamental building block of this model, the flat-topped block. This proposed extension to the existing model may provide a useful way forward in making the PEM applicable to a more general range of tropospheric propagation problems that include not only anomalous propagation conditions but irregular terrain profiles. Where a is the earths radius, u is the field, and (r ,e) are polar coordinates with reference to the initial field and the earths centre. If (2) is transformed into Cartesian coordinates the result IS the parabolic equation (3). The solution of (3) may be achieved by the split step algorithm (4) developed by Tappert [7], and initially used in ocean acoustics problems [6,7]. The solutionismarchedalongthepathin stepsofAxuntil thedesired range is reached.

Where, x = ae, is the distance along the earths surface from the source, and z = r - a, is the height above the earths surface. Mx(&-I) / \ (4) u(x + hz) = e t ( T 1F -1 \ e - l ( y F [u(x ,z)]/ , Where Ax is the range step size, m is the modified refractive index (m2= n + 2z/a), F represents the forward Fourier transform and, F represents the inverse Fourier transform. The transforms used are ( 5 ) .
I r. n .

u(x U(x ,p) = F(u(x , z))= 1 ,z) e-lp d z

Izn - 1

U(X ,Z) = F-' (U(x ,p))=

Where p = k sine, and 8 is the angle of propagation above the horizontal. The earth/atmosphere boundary is modelled in the split-step method by the method of images. If the field is horizontally polarised a negative image of the source is placed in the height transform domain so that for a perfect conductor the resultant field at the boundary is zero. For vertical polarisation a positive image is used for a perfect conductor.

SPLIT-STEP SOLUTION OF PE

The PEM is based on a parabolic approximation of the Helmholtz wave equation ( I ) , which in spherical coordinates may bereduced to(2) where itisassumedthat highlydirectional antennas are used which allow for the azimuth component to be dropped. The theory was initially developed by Leontovich and Fock [4,5].

ANALYSIS OF SIMPLE PATH PROFILES

Sinele Knife Edee Diffraction by an absorbing screen is modelled usingthe PEM by removing the field that is incident to the edge. The remaining field above the edge is propagated forward in the usual manner. This is the equivalent to Kirchoff diffraction as shown in figure 1. A comparison of the PEM solution and an asymptotic solution [8] is shown in figure 2.

(1) Where k is the wave number in free space ( k = 2K / k),n is the

refractiveindex, andvistheamplitudeofascalarfield.While this does not, in general, hold exactly for components of the Maxwell vector fields, the approximation is good when the refractive index changes slowly over a wavelength.

V2\y + k 2 n 2 v= 0

825

t
Trans

-i-

iver

Figure 1 :Knfe edge dipaction model dimensions

Knife Edge Screens The asymptotlc solution is given by (6),where v is given by (7). h~ is the impingement above the line of sight, and rl is the radius of the first Fresnel zone at the obstacle. L o s s ( d B ) = 1 3 + [ 2 0 x loglo(v)]

Figure 3 :Double knfe edge dipaction model

Figure 4 shows the plots of the results obtained from the PEM and Millington et. al. The maximum difference between the models is 1 dB and the average is approximately 0.5 dB.
50

(6)
(7)

rl
5-

V.452 =(xD)/z[x (1 - x)f/z

~

(8)

~-

5
? 5

40

p=5 p=4 p=3 p=2 p= 1

3 0

20
10

.I

IO

SIP

Figure 2 :Knife edge diflaction path loss

Double Knife Ed= Millington et. al. [9] have derived a numerical solution to diffraction by two knife edges using Fresnel diffraction theory which is an extension of the single knife edge case. The knife edge is simulated in the same way as for the single knife edge (Le. removal of field below edge tip). For ease of comparison the same parameters as used by Millington et. al. are used for display purposes. The model being simulated is shown in figure 3, and the dimensions used by Millington et. al. are shown in equations (9 - 11).

Figure 4 :Path loss for double knife edge simulation. a = 604

Flat toDDed block The method developed by Millington et. al. chosen for the comparative study in the double knife edge case was chosen because of the availability of a paper that used an extension of that theory developed by Whitteker [IO]for the case of a flat are topped block. The same parameters p. q, and a, used in this analysis. Whitteker uses the same solution for the diffraction loss over a double knife edge and adds in the field reflected from the block top to obtain the path loss with respect to free space. Figure 5 shows the geometry of the problem.

iver

Figure 5 :Flat topped block model geometry.

The flat topped temain feature was chosen as it could be used as a building block for general terrain profiles. The general philosophy is tomaintain the flat earthapplicabilityof the splitstep algorithm and to map obstacle transitions by changes in therelative height anddirectionofpropagationofthe field with respect to the boundary. Step functions are modelled by shifting the earth boundary, and slopes are modelled by tilting

026

the plane of the wave front so that it remains perpendicular to the boundary. This is the equivalent of flattening the surface and skewing the beam direction to compensate as shown in figure 6. The Fourier shift theorem ( 12) is usedto tilt the beam, which shows that a shift in the angular domain is equivalent to the application of aphase gradient (or tilt) in the height domain.

WhereAp=ksir@.

ForvaluesofAB in therangef2O"Apmay

beconsideredasdirectlyproportionaltoAe. Theothervariables are as previously defined in equations (2 - 5).

Figure 7 :Path loss forpol topped blocks with a = 284 For curves S the ongle of incidence is -2'(in shadon,). For c u r w s I rhe angle o incidence is +2' (illuminaredJ. For curses T the f ongle o incidence is O"(rangentia1). The r-eceiver moves f \~erricalIyto change p and q. The measured data (symbols) are from Hacking [ I / ] The solid lines are rhe resultsflorn P E M . and the dashed lines arefrom Whitteker [ I O ]

block terrain fea1vre 10 be

modeled

IO

?s
Figure 6 :Implemenrarion o parh profiles using the spiff-srep f algorithm. (note : - rhe imagefield is not shown i n this diagram)
6

20

3O

d0

In addition to the theory developed by Whittekerexperimental work was carried out by Hacking [ 1I]. The measured path loss, theoretical loss using the parabolic equation method and the results of Whitteker are displayed in figure 7.
It is clear that for the cases of tangential and illuminated profiles that the parabolic equation method and Whitteker's theory have close agreement. For the case of the shaded illumination profileit isclearthat therearedistinct differences. The reason for this has not been investigated at this stage and is the subject of continuing work.
An interesting comparison between Fresnel theory and the PE

W 00

02

04

Ob

OX

IO

b/(a+b+c)

Figure 8 : Plots of artenuation for double knife edges (eqn.

(13))aridflar topped blocks (eqn. ( 1 4 ) ) f o r vurynR distance heween edges. p=q=O.

is possible when both edges of the block are on the line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver. In this case the solution is in closed form and for a double knife edge is (13). and for a flat topped block is (14). Figure 8 shows plots of the loss as the edges are drawn apart, and figure 9 plots the difference between the two models. This shows excellent agreement between the two models.

Figure 9 : Difference hetween PE and Fresnel them;\ Oneofthebenefitsofthe parabolicequation method is because

827

the complete field is stepped along the entire range and so it is easy to generate a 2D picture of the propagated field. Figure 10 shows theuseful propertiesofthis forthecaseoftheshaded obstacle of figure 7. The attenuation at the top of the picture is an artificial absorbing layer to prevent unwanted reflections from the artificial upper boundary.

theory of diffraction (GTD). The split-step method of solving the parabolic equation is a powerful tool for the analysis of radio propagation in anomalous propagation conditions and the proposed extension to irregular path profiles discussed in this paper may provide a way forward of using this tool for a wider range ofapplications without sacrifices incomputational performance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Acknowledgement is given to the Overseas Research Students Committee for the ORS award (ORS/89 15013) granted to Mr. McArthur for this work. REFERENCES
[ I ] . Pappei3,R.A. Propagation Modeling for some Horizontally Varying Tropospheric Ducts. Proc. NATO AGARD Symp. on Operational Decision Aids. San Diego, C.A.. U.S.A.:

Figure 10 : Tu,o dimensional picture of propagation over-agar topped obstacle. (Radial lines at 2 deg intervals)
Soherical Earth The PE method includes the spherical earth model by a coordinate transformation shown in equation (3) by the fictitious refractive index gradient approximated by the 2z/a term. Comparison has been made with the spherical earth diffractionmodel definedby theCClR 181. This isanasymptotic solution based on rigourous theory and so was considered to be a rigourous test of the PE method. Figure 1 1 displays the comparison between the CCIR model and the results obtained using the PE model for receiver heights of 25m and loOm for a transmitter height of 1 0 m .
IO,

May, 1989: 22-1 - 22-15,

121. Levy.M.F. Parabolic Equation Modelling of Propagation Over Irregular Terrain. Electronics Letters :July, I990 Vo1.26. No.lS, ppl IS3 - 1155.

[3]. DiNapoli, F.R. Deavenpon, R.L. Numerical Models of Underwater Acoustic Propagation. Ocean Acoitstics. Berlin: Springer-Verlag: 1979. (Topics in Current Physics: VOl. 8).
141. Leontovich. M.. Fock. V. Solution of the Problem of

Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves Along the Eanhs Surface by the Method of Parabolic Equation..loirrital i$ Physics ofrhe USSR: 1946: Vol. X(No.1): pp13-24.

[SI.Fock, V.A. Electi-oniagnetrc.Diffracrion and Pi-opagation

Pvohlenls. Oxford. G.B.: Pergamon Press Ltd.: 1965.

161. Flatte, S.M. Sou17d Transmissro17Throiqh a F/irctiratiii,q Ocean. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press; 1979; ISBN 0 521 21940 X. 171. Tappen. F.D. The Parabolic Approximation Method. Lecture Notes I n Physics: 1977: 7 0 pp224-287.

4 0

[SI. CCIR. Propagation by Diffraction. CCIR,

Recon7mendatronsand Reports of the CCIR: 1986: Vol.

15 0
55 00

S(Rep. 715-2 (1986)): pp60-72.

range Ikml

Figure 11 :Drffracrion loss aroundpeifecth condiic rrnq spheircal eaith foi a transmittei height of IOOni Reference c u ~ ~ e s f i o m repoft 715.2 [8/ CCIR

[9]. Millington.G., Hewitt,R., 1mmirri.F.S. Double Kinfe-Edge Diffraction in Field-Strength Predictions. Proc. IEE 1962: Vol. 109 UMonograph No.507E): pp419-429. [IO]. Whit1ekerJ.H. Diffraction Over a Flat-Topped Terrain Obstacle.IEE Proceedings; 1990: Vol. 137(Pt.H. No.2): pp113-I 16.
[ 1 I]. Hacking,K. U.H.F. Propagation Over Rounded Hills. Pi-oc.IEE; 1970 Vol.l17(No.3): pp499-SI 1. [ 121. Craig. K.H. The Parabolic Equation Model for Propagation in a Two-Dimentionally Inhomogeneous Troposphere.

CONCLUSION

From the results, obtained from investigations to date, the simple flat topped model looks to be a promising step forward for the solution of propagation over general path profiles using the split-step algorithm method of solving the parabolic equation. Generally there is close agreement between existing theory and the results obtained using the PEM. The variations observed for the shaded obstacle needs further investigation and comparison with other models such as the geometric

Rutherford Report - NRPP; 1988: Research Note No.104.

1131. Dockery. G.D. Modeling Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in the Troposphere Using the Parabolic Equation. IEEE Trans.on Anrennas and Propagarion; 1988; Vol. 36(No. IO):pp1464-1470. 1141. DockeryGD. Reil1y.J.P. Influence of Evaporation Ducts o n Radar Sea Return. IEE Proceedin,qs;April, 1990: Vo1.137(Pt.F. No.?): pp80-88.