Calculation of Ray Paths in the Ionosphere Using an Analytic Raytracing Technique

Abstract

A method for tracing rays in the ionosphere using analytic solutions to approximate path varying ionospheric potentials is outlined in this report. Using the ionospheric parameters generated by IONCAP and approximating the E-F2 and ground-E layer potential wells by a scaled Morse potential and a linear potential respectively, known solutions to these potentials are promoted to final ray paths by using methods developed for solving the time dependent Schroedinger equation. The computer code necessary to fit the potentials, connect the solutions at the E layer peak, and trace arbitrarily launched rays is described. Keywords include: Ray tracing; Ionosphere; Potential well; Ducted propagation; High frequency; Paraxail approximation; Parabolic approximation; Scalar wave equation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA178888

Entities

People

  • Stanford P. Yukon

Organizations

  • Rome Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Force
  • Classification
  • Command And Control
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Differential Equations
  • Electron Density
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Frequency
  • Ionosphere
  • Morse Potential
  • Procedures (Computers)
  • Quadrants
  • Security
  • Wave Equations

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.