Wave Propagation

Objectives
Apply the relationship between Frequency, Wavelength and the Speed of Wave Propagation Distinguish between Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction Solve refraction angles using Snells Law Explain the relationship between an electric field and its magnetic field and how because of this relationship, electromagnetic waves propagate Explain Constructive or Destructive EM wave Interference and calculate Phase Shift Identify the range of frequencies associated with each EM band designation List the various wave propagation paths and the band designations associated with the propagation Solve for the radar horizon using the height relationship between the target and sensor

Particles vs. Waves

Two great concepts in physics Particles suggest a tiny concentration of matter capable of transmitting energy Waves suggest just the opposite a broad distribution of energy filling the space through which it passes.

Wave Characteristics
Two Types (for our purposes). Mechanical ~ Requires medium for propagation Sound (Sonar) (Air or Water) Electromagnetic ~ Doesnt require medium for propagation Light (Air or Water) Radio (Air or Water) Radar (Air) Mechanical Waves Propagate as Longitudinal Waves Disturbance in line with direction of propagation Electromagnetic Waves Propagate as Transverse Waves Disturbance right angles to direction of propagation

Energy Fundamentals
RAdio Detection And Ranging Radar is an electromagnetic wave that acts like any other electromagnetic wave (radio, light, etc.) Characteristics of a radio wave assuming a frequency of 50 Hertz:
1 Cycle / .02 Sec

50 Cycles / 1 Sec

Wave Propagation
Spherical Wave (Near Field)
Undisturbed wave Omni directional from source Ripples on a pond.

Plane Wave (Far Field)

Far from origin Spreads out to appear to have same amplitude everywhere on plane perpendicular to direction of travel Think of entire wave traveling in one direction

Wave Terms
Frequency (f) Rate at which source disturbance oscillates through one complete cycle (Hertz Hz sec 1) Wavelength (l) Distance between two identical points on adjacent waves or distance traveled by wave in one cycle. (Length cm, mm, m) = c/f Velocity (c) EM waves travel at speed of light, (c = 3 x 108 m/s) Amplitude (A) Maximum displacement of wave from constant reference value. Period (T) Time to complete one cycle (time, sec)

Phase
Identical Waves shifted either ahead or behind due to distance separations or time delay. Pick one as a reference and determine phase difference or phase shift between the two. Phase is measured in either degrees or radians.
radians = (2T/360o) x degrees degrees = (360o/2T) x radians 57.3o per radian Positive phase shift Negative phase shift wave is advanced wave is retarded

Fourier Analysis

French mathematician Jean Baptist Fourier explained how the principles of interference can be used to analyze non-sinusoidal wave forms. Specifying amount and frequency of each component (cosine and sine waves) is representative of frequency domain.
8 Hz easily recognizable, other freqs. questionable.

Propagation Paths of Electromagnetic Waves

Reflection Refraction Diffraction Absorption

Reflection
Medium boundaries with dissimilar propagation result in reflection
Diffuse reflection results from waves striking in irregular surface and reflecting over a broad range

Specular reflection is reflected at equal but opposite angle from smooth surface

Reflection
When we examine at the particle level

Refraction
Incident wave passes through two transparent media in which the velocity of light differs Incident wave divides into a reflected wave and a refracted wave. As the angle of incidence increases, angle of refraction increases When the angle of refraction = 90o then critical angle For a range of incidence greater than 90o, no refraction, only internal reflection
n2 U c ! sin n 1
1

No internal reflection when starting in a lower n because sin e 1

Refraction
Electromagnetic waves propagate at speed of light (c) = 3 x 108 m/s (in vacuum) Speed of light varies in different medium (Cm) Light refracts at medium boundary layer. Index of refraction, n, defined as; n = c/cm
We can determine either indices of refraction or angle of refraction by applying Snells Law

n1sinU1 = n2sinU2

Diffraction
Spreading of wave along edge of an object Amount of diffraction is wavelength and size related Wave bends when wavelength is larger than object or opening
Can hear around corner, but cant see around a corner.

Radar can detect around an object under the right conditions

Interference
Interference when two or more waves collide, superposition of amplitudes add to produce a resulting wave. Described as either constructive or destructive interference, depending on phase shift between waves.
Constructive phase difference between 0o and 120o or between 240o and 360o . Destructive phase difference between 120o and 240o .
0o

240o

Destructive

120o

Electromagnetic Signal Loss

Spreading - energy distributed over an increasingly larger area. Energy per unit area proportional to 1/R2. Absorption - energy dissipated into medium. Molecules of medium absorb some of the energy as it passes through. Scattering - energy bouncing off suspended particles within a medium. Scattering is going to be particulate size/radar frequency dependent.

Spreading

Absorption

Absorption

Wave Propagation There is a relationship between distance and frequency

Propagation Modes Ground Wave Sky Wave Space Wave

Frequency 30-300 GHz 3-30 GHz

Band EHF SHF

Range (nm) Attenuation susceptible 40 (G/ LOS) 100-300 (Tropo) P/G limit (Satellite) 15-100 (LOS) 300 (LOS Air) 1000s (Satellite) 25-50 (G) LOS (D) 30-300 (G) Span Globe (S) 100-1000 (G) 1000-3000 (S) 1000-5000 5000+ 5000+

Power

Rate 100 Mbps 250 kbps

Short Range (Tactical)

Space Waves

300-3000 MHz

UHF

10-100 W 2500-10000 W .25-120 W 2-100 kW

56 kbps

30-300 MHz 3-30 MHz 300-3000 kHz 30-300 kHz 3-30 kHz 3-3000 Hz

VHF HF MF LF VLF ELF

75 baud 9600 bps 2400 bps 75 baud

Sky Wave

Long Range

Very Long Range (Strategic)

Ground Waves

50-100 kW 100-200 kW 100 MW

75 baud 50 baud 1-2 baud

Ground Wave
Very low frequencies (510Khz) Vertical polarization Waves travel along earths surface. Very long wavelengths unsuitable for ships & aircraft, but used for sub comms Shore-based installations (HF-DF)

Sky Wave
E-M energy refracts in upper ionosphere and is directed back to Earth. May occur multiple times Frequencies used up to 550 KHz effectively Wavelengths still too long for anything but comms by aircraft and ships. (Antenna Length)

Space Wave
Higher frequency signals that penetrate the ionosphere and travel through space. Above 30 MHz, ionosphere will not refract E-M waves back toward earth. Energy tends to travel in straight line.

Atmospheric effects on Space Waves

Ionospheric Scatter Scattered reflection of VHF and up signals 600 1000 miles Tropospheric Scatter Scattering signal off of troposphere. Air turbulence, irregularities in refractive index, homogeneous discontinuities. Boundary layers between stratified pockets of air. Strong function of weather. 400 miles. Tropospheric ducting Present in inversion conditions (as is all ducting). Refraction curve matches curvature of the earth. Improves ranges greatly.

Radar Line of Sight

Due to refraction, certain electromagnetic waves can transmit farther than the visual Line of Sight (LOS).

Radar Horizon (LOS)

To compute the maximum detection range between a target and electromagnetic transmitting antenna, the following equation can be employed:

R(km) ! 17 HT  17 HR
HT = Target Height in METERS HR = Radar Antenna Height in METERS Resultant Range is in Kilometers!

Objectives
Apply the relationship between Frequency, Wavelength and the Speed of Wave Propagation Distinguish between Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction Solve refraction angles using Snells Law Explain the relationship between an electric field and its magnetic field and how because of this relationship, electromagnetic waves propagate Explain Constructive or Destructive EM wave Interference and calculate Phase Shift Identify the range of frequencies associated with each EM band designation List the various wave propagation paths and the band designations associated with the propagation Solve for the radar horizon using the height relationship between the target and sensor