Troposcatter Link Design Using Air-borne Microwave Refractometer Observations over Kanpur

Abstract

In a troposcatter system, the received power is determined by the intensity and scale of the refractive index fluctuations in the path, especially the "common volume" of the transmitting and receiving antenna beams. Fine structure of the radio refractivity information was collected over Kanpur for winter conditions, using the air-borne microwave refractometer developed by the author. This information was used to design an optimum troposcatter link and the results are compared with the empirical relationships obtained by making use of radiosonde observations. Refractometer observations resulted in a gain of 35 dB in path loss which has reduced the power requirement of the transmitter considerably and hence the cost reduction. Use of radio refractive fine structure information collected by air-borne microwave refractometer in the design of a troposcatter communication link has resulted in optimization of the link and reduced the long distance electromagnetic interference on other circuits.