Efficient calculation of the fields of a dipole radiating above an impedance surface

The classic problem of field computation for an infinitesimal dipole radiating above an impedance half-space is revisited. The expressions for the traditional solution consist of integrals of the Sommerfeld type that cannot be evaluated in closed form and due to their highly oscillatory nature are difficult to evaluate numerically. The exact image theory, which has previously been applied to vertical electric and magnetic dipoles, is used to derive explicit expressions for dipoles of arbitrary orientation above impedance surfaces. Starting from the spectral representation of the field, the reflection coefficients are cast in the form of exact Laplace transforms and then by changing the order of integrations field expressions in terms of rapidly converging integrals are obtained. These expressions are exact, and valid for any arbitrary source alignment or observation position. It is shown that the formulation for a horizontal dipole contains an image in the conjugate complex plane resulting in a diverging exponential term not previously addressed in the literature. It is shown through further mathematical manipulations, that the diverging term is a contribution of the mirror image which can be extracted. Comparison of numerical results from exact image theory and the original Somm~rfeld-type expressions shows good agreement as well as a speedup in computation time of many orders of magnitude, which depends on the distance between the transmitter and the receiver. This formulation can effectively replace the approximate asymptotic expressions used for predicting wave propagation over a smooth planar ground (having different regions of validity). The exact image formulation is also of practical use in evaluation of the Green's function for various applications in scattering problems where approximate solutions are not sufficient.

I. Introduction

THE ABILITY to accurately and efficiently predict the effects of natural features on radio-wave propagation is essential in the development and design of a communications system. Accurate simulation of the propagation environment allows for optimal system design in terms of parameters such as power consumption and cost minimization by determining the most efficient system configuration. The natural environment consists of various scattering and diffraction mechanisms that must be accounted for, including obstacles such as hills and mountains, forested areas, and the effects of a lossy earth.