SKY WAVE PROPAGATION

The sky waves are of practical importance at medium and high frequencies for very long distance radio communications. In this mode of communication electromagnetic waves reach the receiving point after reflection from the ionized region in the upper atmosphere called ionosphere situated between 50km to 400km above earth surface under favorable conditions. This is illustrated in the figure. The ionosphere acts like a reflecting surface and is able to reflect back the electromagnetic waves of frequencies between 2 to30 MHz

Further, since sky wave propagation takes place after reflection from the ionosphere, so it is called as ionospheric propagation. Since long distance point to point communication is possible with sky wave propagation, so it is called point to point propagation or communication. Extremely long distance i.e. round the globe communication is also possible with the multiple reflections of sky waves. In a single reflection from the ionosphere the radio waves cover a distance not more than 4000km.

EARTH

Multiple reflections of radio waves from ionosphere

Critical Frequency
The critical frequency of an ionized layer of the ionosphere is defined as the highest frequency which can be reflected by a particular layer at vertical incidence. This highest frequency is called critical frequency for that particular layer and it is different for different layers. It is usually denoted by f0 or fc. Critical frequency for the regular particular layer is proportional to the square root of the maximum electron density in the layer. At vertical incidence; Angle of incidence i =0; N=Nmax and f=fc. As the angle of incidence goes on decreasing and reaches to zero (i.e. vertical incidence) the electron density go on increasing and reaches to maximum electron density( ). Then the highest frequency that can be reflected back by the ionosphere is one for which refractive index becomes zero.


1= fc=

=0

where fc is in MHz and

is in per cubic meter.

Critical frequency, fc=

Thus critical frequency gives an idea that radio waves of frequency equal to or less than the critical frequency will certainly be reflected back by the ionospheric layer irrespective of the angle of incidence. Radio waves of frequency greater than critical frequency will also be returned to earth only when the angle of incidence(i) is sufficiently glancing so that the equation m=sin im is satisfied at the frequency involved, otherwise the wave will penetrate the layer concerned. However, it may be reflected back by a still higher layer. Thus for a wave of frequency greater than critical frequency to be reflected, the condition is > m >

EFFECT OF THE EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD ON IONOSPHERIC RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION

A radio wave propagating in a non-ionized medium is not affected by the Earth's magnetic field. However, in an ionized medium i.e. ionosphere (which consists of charged particles like electrons, ions) electrons are set in motion by the electric field of the radio wave. The Earth's magnetic field then exerts a force on the vibrating electrons producing twisting effect on their paths. This reacts on the incident radio waves. Thus the Earth's magnetic field splits up the incident radio waves into two components: 1) ordinary wave 2) extra ordinary wave The phenomenon of splitting of waves into two different components by Earth's magnetic field is called "Magneto-ionic splitting". Ordinary wave: Propagation of electromagnetic wave (with electric vector) is parallel to earths magnetic field. There is no effect of Earths magnetic field. Extra ordinary wave: Propagation of electromagnetic wave (with electric vector) is perpendicular to earths magnetic field. Due to the effect of Earths magnetic field, effective phase velocity and refractive index are changed. The two waves bend different ways by the ionosphere and hence travel through it along different paths. The rate of energy absorption and velocity also differ. There also double refractions. The two rays have elliptical polarization and rotate in opposite direction. The amplitude of extra- ordinary wave relative to ordinary wave depends on magnitude of the magnetic effects. The critical frequency (fx) of extra-ordinary wave is always higher the critical frequency (fc) of an ordinary wave by an amount approximately half the gyro frequency.

Besides, splitting of incident wave into ordinary and exact-ordinary wave components , the Earth's magnetic field is also the effecting the polarizing of the incident radio wave. The electron set in simple harmonic motion (when the magnetic field was neglected) is now modified to an elliptical or spherical motion by the Earth's magnetic field as illustrated in fig. The average strength of the terrestrial magnetic field is 40A/m substantially effects the radio wave propagation and makes the ionosphere to behave like an ionospheric medium. The Earth's magnetic field causes the electrons and ions in the ionosphere to trace the complicated trajectory, the frequency of which depends on the magnetic field and the ratio e/m of the particle.

Cyclotron frequency
Cyclotron frequency is defined as the lowest natural frequency of a wave at which charged particles follows a helical in a fixed magnetic field. It is denoted by wc. wc wc

( )

Cyclotron frequency, wc

Gyro frequency
Gyro frequency is defined as the lowest frequency at which charged particles spiral in a fixed magnetic field. It is denoted by wg. We have, Cyclotron formula of r=

----------------- (1)

For constant speed in a circle, Speed = Here, distance = circumference of a circle = i.e. v = So, T = -------------------- (2)

Substituting (1) in (2), we get T= Therefore, Gyro frequency, fg = =

Gyro frequency, fg=

For electrons, Earths magnetic flux density B=0.5 *10-4 Weber/meter This frequency is about 1.4 MHz and is called as gyro-frequency (fg). It is defined as the frequency whose period is equal to the period of revolution of an electron in its circular orbit under the influence of Earth's magnetic field of flux B. Thus, wg =B ( ) 2fg= B ( ) fg=

Putting the value of m, e, B we get fg= = 1.417 MHz 1.4 MHz Hz

Gyro frequency, fg =1.4 MHz

If the frequency of the incident radio wave is equal or nearly equal to fg then there is resonance phenomenon and the oscillating electron receive more and more electron from the incident wave. As a result, their velocity increases and they describe layer and layer orbits and hence they have more chance of having inelastic collisions, there by dissipate a large amount of energy from the radio waves. Hence attenuation is maximum near gyro frequency (when f=fg) and so is avoided in propagation work.

(a) High frequency f>fg

(b)Critical frequency f=fg

(c)Low frequency f< fg

At high frequency ,when f>fg ,electron motion follows an elliptical path and ellipse gets narrower if frequency increase consequently, a high frequency plane polarization wave gets elliptically polarized after reflection from the ionosphere. At lower frequency, when f>fg, electron vibrate in the small loops, usually making several loops just like a structure spiral and polarization is not effected much.

Consider an electron of mass m, charge e in an ionized medium. When em wave with electric field, E is passed through it, force is exerted on to these vibrating electrons. If the effect of earths magnetic field is taken into account the following forces will act on it. i. ii. The force due to electric field of the radio wave propagating in the medium, F1=eE The inertia force due to the motion of the electron, F2=m iii. iv. The retarding or frictional force due to the collision, F3=mv The force due to earths magnetic field, F4=e (V X B) The resulting equation of motion can be written as eE+ e (V X B) = m m

+ mv

= e [E+ (V X B)]- mv
and B = H, we get

Substituting

Thus, jwmv = e [E+ (V X B)] - mv Now, the objective is to express v in terms of E. Thus rearranging the equation gives eE = jwm (1-j ) v + e( XV) The solution of this equation as given by picquenard in terms of complex relative permittivity is given by