D Region Amplitude Distribution, Cone Angle of Arrival, and Electron Density Profiles.
Abstract
The results of analytical and experimental investigations of D region backscattering processes and their effects on the accuracy of electron density profiles produced by the partial reflection technique are presented. The major findings were that the cone angle of arrival of D region echoes is approximately 13 degrees but on occasion can be significantly greater for both 0 and X polarizations; in the altitude regime between 74 and 80 kilometers, X-wave cone angles can be greater than 0 wave cone angles of arrival and this phenomenon is associated with local minima in the electron density profiles; the cone angle of arrival can be large enough that altitude resolution of the experiment is determined by the D region backscatter and not by the pulse length of the transmitter. D region echoes were shown to be Rayleigh distributed lending support to the concept of volume scattering from fluctuations of refractive index. Finally the seasonal variation of D region electron density profiles was established. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA070358
Entities
People
- H. N. Turner
- T. F. Shirley
- W. A. Flood
Organizations
- North Carolina State University