Radiowave propagation over irregular terrain using the 3D parabolic equation

Existing propagation prediction models for very high frequency and ultra high frequency bands are predominantly two dimensional that don not take into account terrain gradients transverse to the great circle path, obstacles to side of the great circle path or propagation around the sides of the obstacles. To reduce these errors, a model which incorporates the three dimensional nature of the terrain is developed. Particularly, the 3DPE method, which uses a more accurate terrain representation and incorporates the surface impedance of the terrain, is introduced. The method improves prediction accuracy in some 3D environments.