Modelling of LF ground-wave propagation at short distances based on 2-D cylindrical-coordinate FDTD method

FDTD algorithm based on 2-D cylindrical-coordinate is used to investigate LF ground-wave propagation over lossy ground paths due to a vertical current element source at short distances. In this paper, 100 kHz LF signal is taken for an example and the numerical model is verified by comparing its results for LF propagation attenuation with corresponding data generated by the classical methods. The results of FDTD and theoretical formulas all agree very well. It demonstrates that the FDTD method can be used in the computation of LF ground-wave propagation. Since FDTD results include all effects of wave propagation, such as reflection, diffraction, surface wave excitation, and backscattering, it may make FDTD the technique of the future.