Introduction To Rf Propagation

An introduction to RF propagation that spans all wireless applications This book provides readers with a solid understanding of the concepts involved in the propagation of electromagnetic waves and of the commonly used modeling techniques. While many books cover RF propagation, most are geared to cellular telephone systems and, therefore, are limited in scope. This title is comprehensive-it treats the growing number of wireless applications that range well beyond the mobile telecommunications industry, including radar and satellite communications. The author's straightforward, clear style makes it easy for readers to gain the necessary background in electromagnetics, communication theory, and probability, so they can advance to propagation models for near-earth, indoor, and earth-space propagation. Critical topics that readers would otherwise have to search a number of resources to find are included: * RF safety chapter provides a concise presentation of FCC recommendations, including application examples, and prepares readers to work with real-world propagating systems * Antenna chapter provides an introduction to a wide variety of antennas and techniques for antenna analysis, including a detailed treatment of antenna polarization and axial ratio; the chapter contains a set of curves that permit readers to estimate polarization loss due to axial ratio mismatch between transmitting and receiving antennas without performing detailed calculations * Atmospheric effects chapter provides curves of typical atmospheric loss, so that expected loss can be determined easily * Rain attenuation chapter features a summary of how to apply the ITU and Crane rain models * Satellite communication chapter provides the details of earth-space propagation analysis including rain attenuation, atmospheric absorption, path length determination and noise temperature determination Examples of widely used models provide all the details and information needed to allow readers to apply the models with confidence. References, provided throughout the book, enable readers to explore particular topics in greater depth. Additionally, an accompanying Wiley ftp site provides supporting MathCad files for select figures in the book. With its emphasis on fundamentals, detailed examples, and comprehensive coverage of models and applications, this is an excellent text for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students, or for the practicing engineer who needs to develop an understanding of propagation phenomena.

This practical text gives engineers and technicians at all levels an easy-to-follow entry point into the subject of RF/EM wave propagation and antennas. While aimed primarily at those who are entering the field or transitioning from a related field, the book also helps experienced professionals obtain a more refined understanding of the various methodologies and processes in this area. The book covers the essentials, practices, technical details, and considerations needed to help a team of engineers design, install, and/or predict the technical performance of a new (or even existing) one-way, two-antenna (long radiating distance) RF communication system. The chapters are organized logically to walk you step by step through the application processes, showing you proven methods to bring about top performance, while also helping you factor in unanticipated variances, including those caused by the earth itself, earth’s gaseous atmosphere, rain, snow, hail, ice, ionospheric signal attenuation, and EM waves. This kind of understanding and consideration saves time, money, and much frustration in a project. With this book in hand, you will better understand RF/EM wave propagation and the technical vernacular used to describe it; become familiar with the various processes and considerations in analyzing, designing, and predicting the performance of new and existing antenna RF communications systems; and more confidently approach problem solving and possible solutions for reducing signal interference and loss. The chapter contents, while not sparing the reader exposure to radiated RF system design and analysis terminology, are written in a relaxed, conversational tone and easy-to-understand manner, making this a perfect learning tool for those entering or transitioning to this field, as well as an excellent supplement or foundational text for an instructional course. The book’s logically organized and easy-to-access chapter structure also facilitates its use as a bench reference for quick lookup or review.

This completely updated second edition of an Artech House classic provides a thorough introduction to the basic principles of electromagnetic wave propagation of radio frequencies in real-world conditions, fully updated by including new achievements in theory and technology. It serves as an invaluable daily reference for practitioners in the field and as a complete, organized text on the subject. This comprehensive resource covers a wide range of essential topics, from the classification of radio waves, electromagnetic wave theory, and antennas for RF radio links, to the impact of the earth surface on the propagation of ground waves, atmospheric affects in radio wave propagation, and radio wave reception. The book explores the propagation of the ground radio waves, namely the waves that propagate in vicinity of the earth's surface (e.g., guided by that interface), without involvement of any atmospheric effects. Specifics of the high-frequency (HF) radio propagation due to reflections from ionospheric layers is studied, based on commonly used models of the ionospheric vertical profiles. Scattering of the radio waves of UHF and higher frequency bands from the random variations of the tropospheric refraction index (from tiny air turbulences) are also considered by using the principles of statistical radio-physics. Analysis of propagation conditions on real propagation paths, including analysis of the power budget of the VHF/UHF link to assure its stability (percentage of availability within observation time frame), terrestrial, broadcast, mobile, and satellite RF links are presented. The engineering design of the cellular networks, including LTE 4G, 5G and upcoming higher generations is explored. HF propagation predictions for extremely long-range links design for commercial and military applications are explained. Packed with examples and problems, this book provides a theoretical background for astrophysical, aeronomy and geophysical instrumentation design.

Originally published in 2004, this book provides a detailed introduction to radio frequency (RF) engineering, using a straightforward and easily understood approach combined with numerous worked examples, illustrations and homework problems. The author focuses on minimising the mathematics needed to grasp the subject while providing a solid theoretical foundation for the student. Emphasis is also placed on the practical aspects of radio engineering. The book provides a broad coverage of RF systems, circuit design, antennas, propagation and digital techniques. It will provide an excellent introduction to the subject for graduate students, researchers and practising engineers.

This work treats the essential elements of radio wave propagation without requiring recourse to advanced electromagnetic concepts and equations. However, it provides sufficient detail to allow those concerned with wireless systems to acquire quickly a practical working knowledge of the important concepts. Radio wave propagation is placed in a practical context by considering the design aspects of communications systems at microwave frequencies. A fuller consideration of the electromagnetic properties of materials is given late in the book rather than as an introductory chapter.

This book introduces Radio Frequency Propagation to a broad audience. The author blends theory and practice to bring readers up-to-date in key concepts, underlying principles and practical applications of wireless communications. The presentation is designed to be easily accessible, minimizing mathematics and maximizing visuals.

This textbook is an introduction to microwave engineering. The scope of this book extends from topics for a first course in electrical engineering, in which impedances are analyzed using complex numbers, through the introduction of transmission lines that are analyzed using the Smith Chart, and on to graduate level subjects, such as equivalent circuits for obstacles in hollow waveguides, analyzed using Green’s Functions. This book is a virtual encyclopedia of circuit design methods. Despite the complexity, topics are presented in a conversational manner for ease of comprehension. The book is not only an excellent text at the undergraduate and graduate levels, but is as well a detailed reference for the practicing engineer. Consider how well informed an engineer will be who has become familiar with these topics as treated in High Frequency Techniques: (in order of presentation) Brief history of wireless (radio) and the Morse code U.S. Radio Frequency Allocations Introduction to vectors AC analysis and why complex numbers and impedance are used Circuit and antenna reciprocity Decibel measure Maximum power transfer Skin effect Computer simulation and optimization of networks LC matching of one impedance to another Coupled Resonators Uniform transmission lines for propagation VSWR, return Loss and mismatch error The Telegrapher Equations (derived) Phase and Group Velocities The Impedance Transformation Equation for lines (derived) Fano's and Bode's matching limits The Smith Chart (derived) Slotted Line impedance measurement Constant Q circles on the Smith Chart Approximating a transmission line with lumped L's and C's ABCD, Z, Y and Scattering matrix analysis methods for circuits Statistical Design and Yield Analysis of products Electromagnetic Fields Gauss's Law Vector Dot Product, Divergence and Curl Static Potential and Gradient Ampere's Law and Vector Curl Maxwell's Equations and their visualization The Laplacian Rectangular, cylindrical and spherical coordinates Skin Effect The Wave Equation The Helmholtz Equations Plane Propagating Waves Rayleigh Fading Circular (elliptic) Polarization Poynting's Theorem EM fields on Transmission Lines Calculating the impedance of coaxial lines Calculating and visualizing the fields in waveguides Propagation constants and waveguide modes The Taylor Series Expansion Fourier Series and Green's Functions Higher order modes and how to suppress them Vector Potential and Retarded Potentials Wire and aperture antennas Radio propagation and path loss Electromagnetic computer simulation of structures Directional couplers The Rat Race Hybrid Even and Odd Mode Analysis applied to the backward wave coupler Network analyzer impedance and transmission measurements Two-port Scattering Parameters (s matrix) The Hybrid Ring coupler The Wilkinson power divider Filter design: Butterworth, Maximally flat & Tchebyscheff responses Filter Q Diplexer, Bandpass and Elliptic filters Richard's Transformation & Kuroda’s Identities Mumford's transmission line stub filters Transistor Amplifier Design: gain, biasing, stability, and conjugate matching Noise in systems, noise figure of an amplifier cascade Amplifier non-linearity, and spurious free dynamic range Statistical Design and Yield Analysis

This book has been fully updated to reflect the latest developments in the field of radio communications. This book introduces the basic concepts and mechanisms of radiowave propagation engineering in both the troposphere and ionosphere, and includes greater emphasis on the needs of digital technologies and new kinds of radio systems.

An accessible student-oriented approach to radiowave propagation Propagation-the process whereby a signal is conveyed between transmitter and receiver-has a profound influence on communication systems design. Radiowave Propagation provides an overview of the physical mechanisms that govern electromagnetic wave propagation in the Earth's troposphere and ionosphere. Developed in conjunction with a graduate-level wave propagation course at The Ohio State University, this text offers a balance of physical and empirical models to provide basic physical insight as well as practical methods for system design. Beginning with discussions of propagation media properties, plane waves, and antenna and system concepts, successive chapters consider the most important wave propagation mechanisms for frequencies ranging from LF up to the millimeter wave range, including: Direct line-of-sight propagation through the atmosphere Rain attenuation The basic theory of reflection and refraction at material interfaces and in the Earth's atmosphere Reflection, refraction, and diffraction analysis in microwave link design for a specified terrain profile Empirical path loss models for point-to-point ground links Statistical fading models Standard techniques for prediction of ground wave propagation Ionospheric propagation, with emphasis on the skywave mechanism at MF and HF and on ionospheric perturbations for Earth-space links at VHF and higher frequencies A survey of other propagation mechanisms, including tropospheric scatter, meteor scatter, and propagation effects on GPS systems Radiowave Propagation incorporates fundamental materials to help senior undergraduate and graduate engineering students review and strengthen electromagnetic physics skills as well as the most current empirical methods recommended by the International Telecommunication Union. This book can also serve as a valuable teaching and reference text for engineers working with wireless communication, radar, or remote sensing systems.

This book constitutes the first single-volume, English-language treatise on electromagnetic wave propagation across the frequency spectrum.