Prediction of ground multipath parameters from range-gain measurements using Prony´s technique

Prony´s technique is used to estimate multipath parameters from range-gain patterns produced by ground multipath interference in line-of-sight radio links. The field distribution at the transmitting antenna side is obtained by digital reconstruction from the range-gain pattern that is recorded, at constant height, along ground surface. The technique is presented as a competitive alternative to the Fourier transform, where much shorter data windows are sufficient for the proposed technique. The technique is validated by calculated and measured range-gain patterns, and the predicted values are in good agreement with the actual ones. Prony´s technique produced predictions with comparable errors to the Fourier technique from much smaller data windows.