A Random Point Process Model for Atmospheric Radio Noise.
Abstract
The physical processes causing atmospheric radio noise in the very-low frequency communication channel are examined. The return strokes from lightning discharges are found to be the major source of the noise. A survey of empirical noise models is presented. The models are compared in terms of their ability to match the measured first order statistics from CCIR Report 322. While all of these models have advantages and disadvantages, it is observed that all are inadequate to evaluate the performance of known receivers or to specify the optimal receiver structure. This results because empirical noise models give no information about the higher order statistics of the noise. A new model for atmospheric radio noise is developed. This model is a random process model that is based on the physical processes causing the noise. Higher order statistics of the noise can be determined, at least in principle, from this type of model. The model consists of the sum of two compound Poisson processes. The first order statistics from this model are compared to the measured statistics from CCIR Report 322. Based on this, the model is found to be a valid representation for atmospheric radio noise in the very-low frequency channel. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA055123
Entities
People
- Steven D. Hettinger
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology