Radio Wave Propagation

Propagation characteristics of EM wave:

Transverse waves are waves that are oscillating perpendicularly to the direction of
propagation. If you anchor one end of a ribbon or string and hold the other end in your
hand, you can create transverse waves by moving your hand up and down.

In a transverse wave the particle

displacement is perpendicular to the
direction of wave propagation.

In a longitudinal wave the particle

displacement is parallel to the direction of
wave propagation. The animation at right
shows a one-dimensional longitudinal plane
wave propagating down a tube. The
particles do not move down the tube with
the wave; they simply oscillate back and
forth about their individual equilibrium
positions.
 When an EM wave is produced by an antenna it moves from the transmitter to receiver in
the following ways:
Ground wave (Surface wave)- A part of wave travels along or near the surface of earth.
Space wave (Tropospheric): Some waves travels directly from the transmitting to
receiving antenna. i.e. these waves do not follow the earth and also do not move towards the
sky.
Sky wave (ionospheric): Some waves travel upwards into space towards the sky and get
reflected back to the receiver.
Ground wave (Surface wave)- is exists when
the transmitting and receiving antenna are close
to the earth and are vertically polarised. The
broadcast signals received during day time are
due to ground waves. It is useful for
communication at VLF, LF, MF range (2MHz)
AM transmitting and radio navigational aids.
Space wave (Tropospheric): Wave propagates
directly from the transmitter to the receiver in
the tropospheric region (above the earth and
within 16km). Useful above 30MHz. FM
transmission is normally by space wave
propagation. .
Sky wave (ionospheric): Signal reception at
receiver is by reflection of waves from the
ionosphere. Region b/w 60 km to 450 km of
atmosphere. (2 MHz to 30 MHz)
Several factors effects on Radio waves
Radiowaves are affected during propagation by some media phenomena which are
summarized below:
• Reflection and multipath radio links
• Atmospheric refraction
• Curvature of radio path
• Earth based and elevated radio ducts
• Diffraction and obstruction loss
• Free space loss
• Atmospheric attenuation due to absorptions
• Scattering of radio waves
• polarization of radio waves
• Sun spot effects
•Distance b/w transmitter and receiver
•Earth like hilly terrain, forest, sea water or river water
• Magnetic storms
Structure of atmosphere
Troposphere - 0 to 12 km - Contains 75% of the
gases in the atmosphere. This is where you live and
where weather occurs. As height increases,
temperature decreases. The temperature drops about
6.5 degrees Celsius for every kilometer above the
earth's surface.
Stratosphere - 12 to 50 km - in the lower part of the stratosphere. The temperature remains
fairly constant (-60 degrees Celsius). This layer contains the ozone layer. Ozone acts as a
shield for in the earth's surface. It absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This causes a
temperature increase in the upper part of the layer.
Mesophere - 50 to 80 km - in the lower part of the stratosphere. The temperature drops in
this layer to about -100 degrees Celsius. This is the coldest region of the atmosphere. This
layer protects the earth from meteoroids. They burn up in this area.
Thermosphere - 80 km and up
Ionosphere - This is the lower part of the thermosphere. It extends from about 80 to 550
km. Gas particles absorb ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from the sun. The particles of gas
become electrically charged (ions). Radio waves are bounced off the ions and reflect
waves back to earth. This generally helps radio communication. However, solar flares can
increase the number of ions and can interfere with the transmission of some radio waves.

Exosphere - the upper part of the thermosphere. It extends from about 550 km for
thousands of kilometers. Air is very thin here. This is the area where satellites orbit the
earth.
Magnetosphere - the area around the earth that extends beyond the
atmosphere. The earth's magnetic field operates here. It begins at about
1000 km. It is made up of positively charged protons and negatively
charged electrons. This traps the particles that are given off by the sun.

Propagation Parameters
Free space Loss
Ground wave Propagation

•As a surface wave passes over the ground, the wave induces a voltage in the Earth. The
induced voltage takes energy away from the surface wave, thereby weakening, or
attenuating, the wave as it moves away from the transmitting antenna.
•To reduce the attenuation, the amount of induced voltage must be reduced. This is done
by using vertically polarized waves that minimize the extent to which the electric field
of the wave is in contact with the Earth. When a surface wave is horizontally polarized,
the electric field of the wave is parallel with the surface of the Earth and, therefore, is
constantly in contact with it. The wave is then completely attenuated within a short
distance from the transmitting site.
•On the other hand, when the surface wave is vertically polarized, the electric field is
vertical to the Earth and merely dips into and out of the Earth's surface. For this reason,
vertical polarization is vastly superior to horizontal polarization for surface wave
propagation.
The attenuation that a surface wave
undergoes because of induced voltage also
depends on the electrical properties of the
terrain over which the wave travels. The
best type of surface is one that has good
electrical conductivity. The better the
conductivity, the less the attenuation.

Another major factor in the attenuation of surface waves is frequency. The

ground is poor conductor so ground wave losses are high and increases with
frequency.
Ground Field Strength:
 Roughness of earth

Wave Tilt of ground wave propagation

Space or Tropospheric wave propagation
Above the earth and within 16km. Useful
above 30MHz. (VHF band,30MHz-300MHz)

Ground Field Strength:

 ………1

………2
 Fig.1
Fig.2
Proof
 Line of Sight (LoS):

Above 30 MHz neither ground nor sky wave propagation operates

Transmitting and receiving antennas must be within line of sight
Satellite communication – signal above 30 MHz not reflected by ionosphere
Ground communication – antennas within effective line of site due to refraction
Refraction – bending of microwaves by the atmosphere
Velocity of electromagnetic wave is a function of the density of the medium
When wave changes medium, speed changes
Wave bends at the boundary between mediums
Mechanism of Ionosphereic propagation

Max. Electron density

 Characteristics parameter of Ionospheric propagation
Critical frequency

Virtual height
Critical frequency is the maximum frequency of radio wave which is return from the a
ionized layer at vertical incidence. However, when the frequency of radio wave exceeds
the critical frequency, then the influence of the ionosphere layer on the path of
propagation depends on the angle of incidence at the ionosphere.
Critical angle