An enhanced meteor-burst computer model with comparison against channel sounding measurements

Development and testing of next generation tactical radios with the capability for BLOS meteor burst communication are costly and time consuming. An accurate meteor burst computer model is needed to reduce the cost of lengthy link tests and aid the system designer in determining the necessary link margins. ITT-A/CD and Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) have participated in a joint effort to enhance and validate a world-wide meteor burst computer model. Modifications were made to improve the accuracy of a previously reported model (D.W. Brown, 1985). A link protocol simulator was added to simulate the effects of error control coding on throughput and response time. Predicted results were compared against empirical data to assist in fine-tuning the model. Modifications made to enhance the accuracy of the meteor burst computer model are discussed along with a comparison of predicted results versus empirical data collected over a 934-mile path between Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Mineral Wells, Texas