Statistical correlation as a tool in propagation studies

This thesis investigates statistical correlation as a means to enhance the use of ground-based radar in analyzing satellite-path millimeter wave propagation through rain and ice crystals. The technique presented involves correlating dB values of the satellite signal attenuation and polarization isolation with dBZ values of radar backscatter from each of 128 range gates. In it, Pearson product moment correlation coefficients are calculated for attenuation and backscatter and for isolation and backscatter. When these coefficients are plotted versus radar range, one of four certain characteristic patterns usually appears. Ice-crystal depolarization produces a pattern of near zero attenuation coefficients and varying isolation coefficients. Rain produces a correlation pattern in which the attenuation coefficient pattern is nearly mirror image of the isolation coefficient pattern. A special case of the rain event occurs when the cross-polarized satellite signal is essentially constant. The correlation patterns for this case are exact mirror images. Rain attenuation and depolarization accompanied by additional depolarization from another source, produce a correlation pattern that is not symmetrical. This is due to the additional depolarization. Discussion of these expected patterns and examples of each are presented.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Electrical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1982

Author dc:creator

• Lyall, Robert L.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87228

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/87228