RADIATION

AND
PROPAGATION
OF WAVES

TERMINOLOGIES
Electromagnetic Waves: are energy radiated through
free space at a speed equal to the velocity of
light.
Free Space: a condition in which radiation of an
antenna is not affected by any obstruction.
Propagation of Waves: process by which
electromagnetic waves travel from source to
destination.
 How It Works
Radio operators use
naturally occurring charges
in the upper layer of the
atmosphere called the
ionosphere to bend and
reflect their radio signals.

 The Sun’s energy causes atoms in

the upper atmosphere to become
charged. These charged particles are
called ions.
 This charged region of the upper
atmosphere is called the ionosphere.
 When a radio wave enters this
region of charged particles, its
direction of travel is altered.
TYPES OF WAVE PROPAGATION
Ground Wave Propagation
 a propagation that is directed to the
ground and be reflected to reach the
receiving antenna.
 happens at relatively low frequencies up
to about 2 MHz.

Surface Wave Propagation

 A propagation that progresses along the
surface of the earth. It follows the
curvature of the earth.
Ground Wave Propagation
TYPES OF WAVE PROPAGATION
Sky wave Propagation (Ionospheric)
 wave propagation using the
ionosphere (upper layer of the
atmosphere).
 worldwide communication is
possible using multiple “hops”.
 Signal can travel a number of hops,
back and forth between ionosphere
and earth’s surface.

Sky Wave Propagation

LAYERS OF ATMOSPHERE

Ionosphere
(80 - 720 km)

Mesosphere
(50 - 80 km)

Stratosphere
(12 - 50 km)

Troposphere
(0 - 12 km)
Earth

LAYERS OF THE IONOSPHERE

IONOSPHERIC PROPAGATION

LAYERS OF THE IONOSPHERE

this explains why radio
stations adjust their
power output at sunset
and sunrise

Sky Wave Propagation

TYPES OF WAVE PROPAGATION
Space Wave Propagation
propagation using the free space. Also known
as the Line-of-sight (LOS) propagation.

SPACE WAVE PROPAGATION

 Line-of-Sight
(RADIO HORIZON)
T R
ht
dt dr hr

Earth

RADIO HORIZON
The overall distance achieved due to
the height of the transmitting antenna
and the receiving antenna.

D =√2(hT) + √2(hR) D=4√(hT) + 4√(hR)

Where: Where:

D is in miles D is in km
hT is in feet hT is in meter
hR is in feet hR is in meter
 PROBLEM SOLVING
What is the radio horizon of a transmitting
antenna with a height of 225m above ground
level? If a receiving antenna with a height of
16m above ground level is to be used, what is
the total distance?

A transmitting antenna is on a 50-ft tower and

the receiving antenna is on an identical tower.
How far is the potential distance between
them?

SKIP ZONE AND SKIP DISTANCE

Ionosphere

CommunicationsTheory3 Propagation of Waves 22

 WAVEFRONT
An imaginary spherical surface
resulting from an electromagnetic
radiated equally in all directions
from a point source, Such a source
is said to be isotropic.

CommunicationsTheory3 Propagation of Waves 23

WAVE PROPAGATION DUE TO Es LAYER
 The gray line is a transition region between daylight and
darkness. One side of the Earth is coming into sunrise, and the
other is just past sunset.

CommunicationsTheory3 Propagation of Waves 27

TYPES OF WAVE PROPAGATION

Extraterrestrial/Terrestrial
Propagation
propagation that involves the use of
a satellite.
*transponder: a satellite that is a
combination of a transmitter and a
receiver.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL PROPAGATION

Satellite Point to Point Link

Satellite Broadcast Link

Satellite Broadcast Link

 Satellite Communication:
Communication Satellite S1

Transponder
Earth

Up-link Down-link
S3 S2
Ionosphere

Transmitter Receiver
 TYPES OF WAVES
Terrestrial Wave

Ionosphere
(80 - 720 km)
Sky wave

Mesosphere
(50 - 80 km)

Space wave Stratosphere

Ground wave (12 - 50 km)

Surface wave Troposphere

(0 - 12 km)
Earth

RADIO FREQUENCY BANDS

Classification Band Initials Frequency Range Characteristics
Extremely low ELF < 300 Hz
Infra low ILF 300 Hz - 3 kHz Ground wave

Very low VLF 3 kHz - 30 kHz

Low LF 30 kHz - 300 kHz
Medium MF 300 kHz - 3 MHz Ground/Sky wave
High HF 3 MHz - 30 MHz Sky wave
Very high VHF 30 MHz - 300 MHz
Ultra high UHF 300 MHz - 3 GHz
Space wave and
Super high SHF 3 GHz - 30 GHz
sometimes,
Extremely high EHF 30 GHz - 300 GHz Extraterrestrial
Tremendously high THF 300 GHz - 3000 GHz