Reflection Coefficients of Irregular Terrain

Abstract

Radio relay paths with strong ground reflections experience more fading than similar paths with negligible ground reflections. In order to minimize fading the route survey for the transcontinental microwave-relay system included measurements, of ground reflection coefficients on most of the proposed repeater sections. In most cases the reflection coefficients at 4,000 mc were in the range from 0.2-0.4. Attempts to correlate these results with the path proflles and to obtain a suitable theoretical explanation indicate that no simple relation exists but that a statistical relationship can be found to fit the observed data.