Mathematical simulation of propagation of frequency-modulated radio waves in ionospheric plasma

Abstract

A numerical simulation of single-hop and double-hop propagation of frequency-modulated signals in anisotropic ionospheric plasma is performed on the basis of a numerical solution to a space–time Hamiltonian bicharacteristic system whose unknowns are the components of the wave vector, coordinates, and also the frequency and time. It is assumed that the radiation source is a point one and is located outside the magnetoactive plasma, the frequency modulation of decameter waves is linear, and the amplitude of the magnetic field is constant. A model of a two-layer ionospheric plasma with a wavelike disturbance is considered. The specific features of the departure of the ordinary and extraordinary waves from the plane of propagation, formation of caustics of space–time geometrical-optics rays, and the Doppler frequency shift are analyzed.