Elements Of

Telecommunication
CHAPTER 11
THE PROPAGATION OF RADIO WAVES
Aim
To equip participants with the fundamental knowledge of
propagation of radio so as to apply the principle in
telecommunication transmission.
Objectives
At the end of the chapter participants should be able to:

• Define wave propagation

• Identify the different propagation modes.
Introduction
• When a radio-frequency current flows into a transmitting
antenna a radio wave at the same frequency is radiated
in a number of directions as determined by the radiation
Pattern of the particular antenna.
• The radiated energy will reach the receiving antenna or,
In the case of broadcast or mobile systems receiving
antennas, by one or more of five Different mobile
systems, receiving antenna by one or more of five
different modes of propagation.
Introduction

• The propagation of radio waves through space (and the atmosphere) is

the essential phenomenon exploited by a radio communications
system.
• The simplest mode of propagation occurs between two point sources in
free space—the ideal situation.
• Radio-wave propagation, in realistic situations, is affected by reflections
from the earth, scattering by particles, diffraction over hills, and
bending due to atmospheric refractivity.
• The study of propagation has led to models that can be used to predict
the field strength (and/or power density) expected at a specific receiver
location of a radio wave radiated from a distant transmitter location.
Propagation Modes
The Ground/Surface Wave
 The surface or ground wave is one that leaves the
transmitting antenna very nearly parallel to the ground.
 The surface wave is supported at its lower edge by the
surface of the earth and is able to follow the curvature of
the earth as it travels.
 This is because the Wave is diffracted which is a
phenomenon which occurs with all wave motion; that
causes a wave to bend around any obstacles it passes.
 For the surface wave; the earth itself is the obstacle.
Vertically polarized waves must be used because horizontal
polarization would result in the low resistance of the earth
short circuiting the electric component of the wave
The Ground/Surface Wave
• Further bending of the wave occurs because the magnetic
component of the wave cuts the earth’s surface as it travels and
induces e.m.f in it.
• The induced e.m.f causes alternating current to flow and dissipate
power in the resistance of the earth.
• This power can only be supplied by the surface wave, and so a
continuous flow of energy from the Wave into the earth takes place.
• The signal wave front, therefore, has two components of velocity,
one in the forward direction and one downwards towards the earth,
the resultant direction is the phasor Sum of the forward and
downward components
• This Result in the wave being tilted forward.
The Ground/Surface Wave
• At v.l.f and l.f the transmitting antenna is electrically short but physically very
large and must therefore be mounted vertically on the ground.
• The antenna will radiate energy in several directions and produce both
surface and space waves (sometimes the sky wave too).
• The combined surface and Space Wave is known as the GROUND WAVE.
• At these frequencies the signal wavelength is long and the antenna height is
only a small Fraction of a wavelength.
• The reflected component space wave experiences a 180o phase shift upon
reflection and since the difference in wavelength.
• The reflected component of space wave experience a 180o phase shift upon
reflection, and since the difference in wavelengths between the lengths of
the direct and reflected waves is very small, the two waves cancel out.
• Because of this v.l.f and l.f propagation is predominantly by means of the
surface wave.
• Very often the term ground wave is used to represent the surface wave.
The down ward component is always normal to the earth and the
forward component 90o advanced, hence the tilted wave front
follows the undulations of the ground
Sky Waves

• The sky wave is directed upwards from the earth into the upper
atmosphere IONOSPHERE where, if certain conditions are satisfied,
it will be returned to earth at the required locality by REFRACTION.
• In the high-frequency band, directive antennas which propagate
most of the radiated energy towards the sky are used.
SPACE WAVE
• The space wave generally has two components;
• One of which travels in a nearly straight line between the
transmitter and the receiving line
• The other which travels by means of a single reflection from
the earth
Line of sight
• The total, field strength at the receiving antenna is the phasor sum
of the field strengths produced by energy arriving over each of the
two paths.

• the line between two points; specifically :  the straight path between

a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna when unobstructed
by the horizon
Communication Satellite
• The fourth method illustrated is a relatively modern technique that
utilizes the ability of a communicating satellite orbiting the earth to
receive a signal, amplify it, and then transmit it at a different
frequency towards the earth.
• Since frequencies in the s.h.f. band are used in both
directions of propagation, the ionosphere has negligible
effect on the path of the radio waves, and so these travel
in straight lines.
• This method or propagation can provide wide band multi-
channel telephony systems over distances of thousands
of kilometers with the utmost reliability.
Tropospheric Scatter Propagation
• The fifth method of propagation called scatter and is only used only
when for any reason or another one of these other methods is not
available as shown below.

• A high-power radio wave is transmitted upwards from the earth and

a very small fraction of the transmitted energy is forward scattered
by the troposphere and directed downwards towards the earth.
Frequency spectrum
The end