X-band beacon-receiver array evaporation duct height estimation

Radiowave propagation in the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) remains a subject of research interest given the potential utility of the ducting propagation mechanism. Ducting propagation is highly dependent on atmospheric conditions; experiments that combine propagation measurements with detailed atmospheric characterization can offer opportunities for improved modeling of the MABL effects on propagation in the future. A multichannel X-band receive array system and corresponding beacon transmitters was constructed to characterize the MABL. Propagation loss from transmitters at multiple heights was measured and the receive power profiles were compared to modeling software result libraries in order to estimate the evaporation duct height (EDH).