MR4416 Atmospheric Factors in Electromagnetic and Optical Propagation

Principles of microwave and optical wave propagation in the atmosphere. Effects of surface and boundary layers on propagation: refraction, scattering, attenuation, ducting, etc. Addresses existing environmental effects assessment models.

Prerequisite

OC4413 or MR4415 (may be taken concurrently)

Lecture Hours

3

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

• Understand the basic and electromagnetic waves and the law of reflection and refraction.
• Understand the impact of the ionosphere on HF propagation and to predict how and why HF transmissions vary with time of day, latitude and season.
• Understand how local atmospheric conditions influence VHF, UHF, and SHF electromagnetic propagation with applications to radar target detection and radio communications.
• Be able to apply surface layer theory to determine when UHF and SHF transmissions will have greatly extended near-surface ranges.
• Know where and when atmospheric turbulence is present and how it may affect optical and IR transmissions.