Space Wave Propagation

Introduction

Space wave propagation generally takes place when particular radio waves propagate through space from the transmitting antenna around the earth to reach a receive antenna.

These kinds of waves are known as tropospheric propagation because from the earth’s surface to the tropospheric propagation they generally tended to travel. It is generally called the straight propagation line. This is due to the fact that the signals are sent in a straight line from receiver to the transmitter.

Space Wave propagation and its components

Space wave propagation occurs within the troposphere layer of the earth’s atmosphere that is within 20km in the atmosphere. Space waves are the radio waves that are capable of propagating within the troposphere layer directly or after reflection. Space wave propagation generally relies on three components (Chen et al. 2019).

These are Direct waves, ground reflected waves, tropospheric waves

Figure 1: Space Wave Propagation

• Direct Waves: These waves are transmitted from the transmitter antenna to the receiving antenna directly.
• Ground Reflected Waves: These radio waves reach the receiving antenna after reflecting from ground.
• Tropospheric Wave: These waves reach receiving antenna after getting refection from troposphere.

Space wave propagation: Application

Space wave propagation is very important as it is used in the communication system. It is used in the line between satellite communication and sight communication. Radar communication, Microwave linking, and s waves are used for many technological purposes.

Microwave uses

In microwaves, these waves are generally used in a magnificent range of technological implementations, including GPS navigation, the service of the cellular phone, satellite communication, and radio communication. As opined by Wong et al. (2020), microwaves also possess a very high wavelength that further increases the ability to penetrate the materials. These particular features make them essential for communication because they have the ability to pass through different objects.

Electromagnetic Wave and its uses

Electromagnetic waves generally possess a shorter wavelength than that of microwaves. They do not have the ability to enter into the objects. These waves are limited within the straight line of communication. These waves generally bring more information than microwaves (Raza & Salam, 2020). In the field of meteorology and astronomy, these waves are very useful for collecting dates about remote events or objects which are obscured by sunlight and clouds.

Figure 2: Propagation of electromagnetic wave within free space

Space wave propagation: Limitations

The curvature of earth affects space waves. The spreading of the waves occurred along a straight line that is defined by the distance between receiving antenna and transmitting antenna. This is also named as range of communication.

Occurrence of space wave propagation

Space wave propagation occurs while the radio waves spread through the space from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. As opined by Carcione et al. (2019), Space wave propagation is a very important thing in the field of physics. These waves have multiple uses in modern technologies. Various kinds of space waves are generally used in different mechanisms such as microwaves, television broadcasts, satellite communication, and many more.

Space waves: Characteristics features

Space wave is generally used for the high-frequency bands with a range of 30 MHz - 300 MHz, microwaves, and ultra-high frequency bands This is due to the high frequency both ground wave propagation and sky wave propagation fails.

The antenna that is used in this frequency is smaller and it must be placed at a height of various wavelengths above the ground. These waves generally have the nature of line-of-sight, the curvature of earth blockers these waves. As opined by Bennewitz et al. (2018), this is because of the fact that if someone wants to receive the signals across the horizon, then they have to make sure that the receiving antenna has enough height to break off line-on-sight waves.

Therefore, the propagation of the space waves is confined to the lines that are straight in their position. It is identified as the particular distance between the receiving and transmitting antenna and it further enables them to see each other. As opined by Salam (2019), space wave propagation indicates the radio waves that arrive within twenty kilometres of troposphere and it includes both reflected and direct waves. These waves generally travel in a straight line it covers the possible shortest distance. It further indicates that when the waves propagate at a certain point and can be seen through naked eyes.

Conclusion

Space wave propagation denotes the expansion of the radio waves, in the tropospheric layer of earth. These waves are both reflected and direct by the nature. Direct weaves refers to the waves that go directly from source antenna to receiving antenna without any obstruction or interruption. Reflected waves generally reach their destination after being reflected on the building or ground and eventually reach to receiving antenna. These are very important in modern technology and its different uses.

FAQs

Q1. What is meant by space wave propagation?

Space wave propagation indicates the radio waves that appear in 20km of atmosphere that is in tropopause. It consists of two direct kinds of waves namely direct waves and reflected waves. These particular waves are also called tropospheric propagation. It is because they are able to travel from earth's surface to the surface of troposphere.

Q2. How the wave propagation happens in free space and in earth?

There are mainly two methods of the propagation that is sky wave and ground wave, in free space the propagation befalls in Line of the Sight wave and straight line

Q3. What is the importance of propagation model?

The propagation model allows anticipating the attenuation and propagation of the radio signals because the signals go through environment. Different modes can be stimulated by using particular function of propagation model.

Q4. What is the importance of s waves?

S waves are very necessary in various technological aspects. Satellite and modern machines are largely affected by these waves. These waves are also very essential in the mode of communication.

References

Journals

Bennewitz, J. W., Bigler, B. R., Hargus, W. A., Danczyk, S. A., & Smith, R. D. (2018). Characterization of detonation wave propagation in a rotating detonation rocket engine using direct high-speed imaging. In 2018 Joint Propulsion Conference (p. 4688). Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Bennewitz/publication/326262785_Characterization_of_Detonation_Wave_Propagation_in_a_Rotating_Detonation_Rocket_Engine_using_Direct_High-Speed_Imaging/links/5b4a5af60f7e9b4637d9eee4/Characterization-of-Detonation-Wave-Propagation-in-a-Rotating-Detonation-Rocket-Engine-using-Direct-High-Speed-Imaging.pdf

Carcione, J. M., Cavallini, F., Wang, E., Ba, J., & Fu, L. Y. (2019). Physics and simulation of wave propagation in linear thermoporoelastic media. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 124(8), 8147-8166. Retrieved from: https://scholar.google.com

Chen, Y., Li, X., Nassar, H., Norris, A. N., Daraio, C., & Huang, G. (2019). Nonreciprocal wave propagation in a continuum-based metamaterial with space-time modulated resonators. Physical Review Applied, 11(6), 064052.Retrieved from: https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10106444

Raza, U., & Salam, A. (2020). Wireless underground communications in sewer and stormwater overflow monitoring: radio waves through soil and asphalt medium. Information, 11(2), 98. Retrieved from: https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/129586/1/Review_Streltsov_final_.pdf

Salam, A. (2019). An underground radio wave propagation prediction model for digital agriculture. Information, 10(4), 147. Retrieved from: https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/10/4/147/htm

Wong, K. K., Tong, K. F., Chu, Z., & Zhang, Y. (2020). A vision to smart radio environment: Surface wave communication superhighways. IEEE Wireless Communications, 28(1), 112-119. Retrieved from https://arxiv.org/pdf/2005.14082

Website

Electronicsdesk (2022). About Radio Wave Propagation. Retrieved from: https://electronicsdesk.com/radio-wave-propagation.html [Retrieved on: 17th June 2022]