ALTAIR: An Incoherent Scatter Radar for Equatorial Spread-F Studies.

Abstract

In this report, we present preliminary results obtained from data collected with ALTAIR, a high-power VHF/UHF radar, during the Wideband Equatorial Program. The Wideband Equatorial Program is a coordinated field program sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) to study the physical processes underlying the production of intense field-aligned irregularities and the effects of those irregularities on satellite communication channels that operate in the gigahertz frequency range. This radar is sensitive enough for incoherent-scatter measurements as well as being capable of spatially mapping E and F region irregularities as a function of time. With data collected from the operation of ALTAIR in a sector scan mode it is possible to determine the spatial distribution of 1-m spread-F irregularities and their dynamics, and to relate them to the parameters of the background equatorial ionosphere. These relationships provide a means of critically evaluating proposed source mechanisms of equatorial spread-F.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1978
Accession Number
ADA056386

Entities

People

  • J. Owen
  • M. J. Baron
  • R. T. Tsunoda

Organizations

  • SRI International

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Backscattering
  • Communication Channels
  • Contracts
  • Data Processing
  • Data Reduction
  • Data Sets
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Peak Values
  • Radar
  • Radar Beams
  • Radio Waves
  • Satellite Communications
  • Scattering
  • Spatial Distribution

Readers

  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space