DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : Ch. Narasimha Rao.
Designation : Senior Lecturer.
Branch : ECE.
Institute : G.P.W. Hindupur.
Year/Semester : II DECE, III Semester.
Subject : Analog Communications.
Subject Code : EC-305.
Topic : Transmission lines and wave

propagation.
Duration : 50min.
Sub-topic : Other modes of wave propagations.
Teaching aids : PPT, Animations, Photographs.
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Objectives

Upon completion of this period you would be able to know:

Other modes of wave propagations

1.Tropospheric scatter propagation

2.Duct propagation or super refraction

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Recap

Already we discussed about :

• Space wave propagation.

• Properties of space wave propagation.

• Advantages and disadvantage of space wave

propagation.

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Tropospheric scatter propagation

Definition:
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, it
refracts radio waves slightly, providing communication at
distances some what beyond the visual line of sight. It also
absorbs radiation at some frequencies. This type of
propagation is known as troposphere scatter propagation.
It is also known as “troposcatter” or “forward scatter
propagation". It is responsible for the propagation of UHF
signals beyond the horizon

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The principle of troposcatter is shown in fig

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Here two directional antennas are pointed. So, that
their beams intersect midway between them above
the horizon.

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• Sufficient radio energy is to be directed from
transmitting antenna (Tx) to the receiving antenna
(Rx) to have better communication.

• This is because of only a small portion of the

transmitted energy is scattered and a small fraction
of the scattered energy reaches the receiver.

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• There are two theories for explaining the
troposcatter
• one suggests reflections from “blobs” in the
atmosphere similar to the scattering of a search
light beam by dust particles.
• The other theory assumes the reflections from the
atmospheric layers as the reason for the
troposcatter.

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• Troposcatter can give reliable communication over
distances of about 80km to 800km at frequencies
from 250MHz to 5GHz.

• However the best frequencies for this type of

propagation are center on 0.9GHz, 2GHz and 5GHz

• Even though troposcatter propagation is subjected to

fading, it forms a very reliable method of over the
horizon communication.

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• It is not affected by the abnormal phenomenon that
usually affects HF sky wave propagation to a great
extent .

• Troposcatter propagation is most commonly used to

provide long distance telephone and other
communication links.

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• It is especially used to provide alternative to MW links
or coaxial cables over rough or inaccessible terrain.

• The best results obtain from troposcatter propagation

if antennas are elevated and then directed down
towards horizon.

• Space diversity reception system is commonly

employed to minimize the effect of fading.

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 Duct propagation or super refraction

• Definition : at VHF , UHF and microwaves ,the waves

are neither reflected by the ionosphere nor propagate
along earth’s surface. But the transmission does occur
much beyond the line of sight distance due to refraction
of such high frequency waves in the troposphere This
type of propagation is known as duct propagation or
super refraction

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Fig.2

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• In duct propagation two boundary surfaces between
layers of air form a duct or a sort of “leaky-waveguide”
which guides the electromagnetic wave between its
walls.

• When the frequency is sufficiently high the waves are

trapped between these layers and traveled along the
earth’s surface.

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• The higher frequencies (micro waves) or continuously
refracted in the duct and reflected by the ground so that
they propagate around the curvature for longer distances
beyond the line of sight even up to a distance of
1000km.

• The main requirement for the formation of duct is the

temperature inversion i.e. decrease in temperature with
height.

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 Summary

1. We discussed about

3. Other modes of wave propagation

a.Tropospheric scatter propagation
b.Duct propagation

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 Quiz

1. Troposphere scatter is used with frequencies in the

following range

(a) HF
(b) VHF
(c) UHF
(d) LF

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Expected questions in Examinations

1. What is troposphere ?

2. Explain tropospheric scatter, propagation and what

are the frequencies used for it ?

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