Scintillation Theory-A Simplified Treatment

Abstract

A relatively simple physical description is given of multiple scattering by large-scale irregularities (ones large compared with the Fresnel scale) and of the way it dovetails with single scattering by small-scale irregularities. The extent to which this simple approach needs modification to agree with the mathematical theory Is described. Easily applied formulae are given for the fading correlation distance, the twinkling correlation distance, the angle of divergence in the direction of arrival at a terminal, and the correlation bandwidth. The mathematical theory for a one-dimension phase changing screen is presented in the appendix.