A User's Guide to RAYTRACE

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA205461 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The operation of the RAYTRACE version 4.3 software for ionospheric raytracing is explained. First, the installation and setup of the program are discussed. Instructions for routine operation are given, followed by several tutorial examples. Some suggestions for regular usage are given. The final section and the appendices contain useful material, including the source code listing. The RAYTRACE computer program has a number of distinctive capabilities. It performs fully three-dimensional HFVHF raytracing through a climatological ionosphere. Single or multiple rays may be traced during a single run, allowing the user greater flexibility in modeling. The size of the increments used in the raypath calculation is user adjustable so that appropriate compromises may be made between execution time and accuracy. The program can trace rays between points at different altitudes. Cutoff criteria may be set to stop the calculation at a particular range or altitude. RAYTRACE calculates a number of important quantities about the ray. The change in signal intensity due to distance and ionospheric focusing or defocusing is calculated. The group and phase path length values are both calculated. The location, as well as information on the direction of the ray, are calculated for the end point of the ray and any intervening earth impact points collectively these are called the data points for the ray. Keywords Ionospheric propagation ray tracing.

Author(s):
Reilly, Michael H. ; Strobel, Eric L.
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC
Descriptive Note:
Memorandum rept. Oct 1987-Apr 1988
Supplementary Note:
Prepared in colloberation with Interferometrics, Inc., Vienna, VA.
Pagination:
0293

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release, Document Partially Illegible
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited. Document Partially Illegible.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
NRL-MR-6377
Monitor Series:
NRL
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_6.1.1_Wired Transmission; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_1.4.2_Health Service Delivery; JCA_1.4_Force Support; JCA_4.3_Maintain; JCA_1.2.2_Exercising; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_8.2.5_Strengthen Global Defense Posture
Modernization Areas:
Quantum Science and Computing
Communities of Interest:
Space
Descriptor(s):
*RAY TRACING, *IONOSPHERIC PROPAGATION, IONOSPHERE, SOURCES, HIGH FREQUENCY, INTENSITY, PATHS, ACCURACY, TIME, CODING, LENGTH, SIGNALS, OPERATION, FOCUSING, CLIMATOLOGY, EARTH(PLANET), ALTITUDE, VERY HIGH FREQUENCY, IMPACT POINT, USER MANUALS, COMPUTER PROGRAMS, DATA BASES
Field(s)/Group(s):
Atmospheric Physics, Computer Programming and Software, Radiofrequency Wave Propagation
Keyword(s):
RAYTRACE COMPUTER PROGRAM
Report Date:
1989 Feb 08