Model for the refractive-index structure constant at microwave frequencies

Technical Report · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7215522

Brown, W D

The model presented is for the refractive-index structure constant at microwave frequencies as a function of altitude, sea-level water-vapor pressure, and a vertical integral of the windspeed. It is based primarily on temperature fluctuation data. The predictions of the model are compared with data from stellar-scintillation experiments, refractometer measurements, radar backscattering and microwave propagation experiments, and the results of calculations by Tatarski. The model is used to study the effects of tropospheric turbulence on the performance of an airborne synthetic-aperture radar. The main effect is to increase the synthetic-aperture sidelobe level.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: E(29-1)-789
• OSTI ID: 7215522
• Report Number(s): SAND-76-0593
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADAR
RADIATIONS
RANGE FINDERS
REFRACTIVITY
TROPOSPHERE
TURBULENCE
WAVE PROPAGATION