Study on a new three-dimensional troposcatter parabolic equation method

Abstract

Inhomogeneities in the troposphere cause refraction and re-radiation of radio waves, leading to troposcatter propagation. However, traditional two-dimensional troposcatter models focus solely on the vertical scattering effects, limiting their accuracy in predicting radio wave propagation in complex three-dimensional environments. To address this limitation, a new three-dimensional troposcatter parabolic equation (3DTSPE) model is proposed. This model provides a comprehensive analysis of the three-dimensional scatterers in both vertical and horizontal dimensions and examines the impact of different scatterer structures on radio wave propagation. It selects an appropriate three-dimensional scatterer structure while maintaining computational accuracy. Simulations comparing it to the two-dimensional troposcatter parabolic equation (2DTSPE) model, the AREPS system, and the ITU-R P.617 standard, alongside real-world analysis using ERA5 atmospheric data, confirm the model's accuracy and effectiveness. This provides a solid foundation for further research on radio wave propagation in complex three-dimensional troposcatter environments.