Radio Frequency Signal Propagation Study

This investigation aims to determine how ground to ground L-Band signals propagated in the Woomera region behave, as well as which propagation model best represents measured results. The results were split into two scenarios depending on the variables tested. The two scenarios were analysed separately due to their differences in equipment setup. For each scenario the best fitting model was determined and then the two scenarios would be compared based on model performance. Overall, the Advanced Refractive Effects Prediction System AREPS was the best fit 60 of the time. The modelled propagation loss was within 22 - 26 dB of the measured value 95 of the time. The Free Space model which is usually the back of the envelope calculation was never the best fit for the data. However, the results indicate that if a back of the envelope calculation is required, the two-ray ground reflection model is a much better choice than Free Space, although it still appears to consistently underestimate ground-to-ground propagation losses.