Predicting RF Propagation with Numerical Models

Radio frequency (RF) propagation is highly dependent upon the vertical distribution of moisture along the transmission path. The U.S. Navy employs high-resolution numerical weather prediction (NWP) models to forecast these gradient structures and their mesoscale variability. In this research we explore the fidelity of propagation loss predictions obtained using an NWP with measured data collected during the Tropical Air-sea Propagation Study (TAPS) [1]. We demonstrate good agreement with Ka-Band path loss prediction to those received by a ship mounted MIMO system for ranges up to 40-45 km from the shore-based transmitter and investigate possible sources for the stronger signals observed at longer ranges.