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Relative impact of meteor scatter and other long‐distance high‐latitude propagation modes on VHF communication systems
Author(s) -
Can Paul S.,
Weitzen Jay A.,
Ostergaard Jens,
Rasmussen John E.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/96rs01208
Subject(s) - duty cycle , meteor (satellite) , earth's magnetic field , ionosphere , depth sounding , mode (computer interface) , polar , geomagnetic latitude , geology , physics , meteorology , geophysics , computer science , magnetic field , power (physics) , oceanography , quantum mechanics , astronomy , operating system
We have analyzed the duty cycle, due to ionospheric propagation, of very high frequency sounding signals for both polar cap and auroral paths. We find that at 35 and 45 MHz the propagation is often sustained by sporadic E layers and other nonmeteoric modes rather than by meteor scatter. At the higher frequencies of 65 and 85 MHz we find that the path is generally dominated by meteor scatter modes. These results have important ramifications for frequency reuse and security in meteor burst communications systems and for the development of extended frequency range HF systems (above 30 MHz) with a capability to operate on any available propagation mode. The diurnal, seasonal, and geomagnetic variations of the nonmeteoric duty cycle have been examined. A polar cap path model is presented for the nonmeteoric duty cycle as a function of geomagnetic activity.