RECEIVED POLARIZATION OF IONOSPHERICALLY PROPAGATED WAVES AS A FUNCTION OF TIME AND FREQUENCY
Abstract
The incoming wave polarization of sweep-frequency CW radio transmissions was measured as a function of HF frequency and time of day for one-hop F-layer propagation over 1300 km N-S and 1900 km E-W temperate-latitude paths. Daytime rates of polarization rotation with frequency (at an instant of time) average 2 turns/MHz (equivalent to a null-to-null spacing of 250 MHz) over the N-S path, and 0.25 turn/MHz over the E-W path. These values are in good agreement with predictions that were made using computer raytracing techniques. Higher rates of polarization rotation with frequency are observed at 0.7 and 0.9 MOF sub o than at 0.8 MOF sub o. The rates are higher at night by about a factor of 2. Typical daytime rates of polarization rotation with time (at a given frequency) average 0.25 turn/min (equivalent to 0.5 signal strength null/min). These rates do not appear to vary either with path azimuth or transmitted radio frequency. Near-zero rates of polarization rotation with time occur for much of the nighttime period. Large fluctuations in the polarization variations occur with both time and frequency throughout the day. Polarization measurements made with signals that were reflected from nighttime sporadic E layers indicate that, for these layers, circumstances other than polarization effects determine much of the observed signal strength variations with frequency and time.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0831144
Entities
People
- M. R. Epstein
- O. G. Villard Jr.
Organizations
- Stanford University