Propagation within boundary layers over sea at millimeterwaves and infrared wavelengths

Air-sea interaction processes in the marine boundary layer have a severe impact on the performance of infrared and radar sensors. Multispectral mm-wave/IR-sensors may exhibit complementary performance thus leading to a combined optimum performance. Propagation models have to be tested in order to cope with the varying environment and allow a performance prediction for sensors in different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. To validate existing propagation models like TERPEM for radar and IRBLEM for IR performance and to compare IR and mm-wave propagation over the sea under various atmospheric conditions, joint experiments were conducted over transmission ranges well beyond the horizon, assisted by a careful environmental characterization. The paper describes the experimental approach and gives representative results for measurement and simulation.