Optimizing Refractivity from Clutter (RFC) for Surface-Based Ducts

Abstract : Develop electromagnetic propagation models, and refractivity inversion algorithms, that perform equally well over land and sea and in the presence of anomalous propagation conditions for both surface and airborne emitters, for use in operational or engineering propagation assessment systems. Develop an advanced unified hybrid radio propagation model based on parabolic equation and rayoptics methods for both surface-based and airborne applications. This model is named the Advanced Propagation Model (APM) and is the primary model used in the Advanced Refractive Effects Prediction System (AREPS). The specific technical objectives are to develop algorithms to extract surface clutter only from weather files provided by the Hazardous Weather Detection and Display Capability (HWDDC); and to improve, refine, and optimize the current state-of-the-art Refractivity From Clutter (RFC) algorithms to infer and characterize surface-based ducts (SBD).