UTD-PO Formulation for the Analysis of Multiple-Plateau Diffraction When Considering Illumination From a Low Source

A hybrid uniform theory of diffraction-physical optics (UTD-PO) formulation for the analysis of the multiple-diffraction (MD) that takes place over rectangular-shaped obstacles (plateaus) when the latter are illuminated from a low source is presented. The solution, which is based on Babinet's principle, has been validated with measurements taken at 60 GHz on a scaled model of the environment under study and with additional measurements performed by other authors. Moreover, the proposed approach has been compared with the wide-angle Fourier split-step parabolic equation method, with the UTD-PO formulation showing better accuracy against the experimental data, especially when the distance between the transmitter and the receiver is increased. Furthermore, the main advantage of the proposed solution is that due to recursion, the calculations imply only single diffractions, thereby avoiding the need of higher order diffraction terms in the diffraction coefficients. The results and findings of this communication are particularly applicable to the planning of microcellular mobile communication systems when the transmitting antenna is located below the height of the surrounding buildings.