On Propagation Loss for Reconfigurable Surface Wave Communications

Surface wave communication (SWC) is an emerging technology garnering significant interest for its diverse potential applications in communications. However, accurately computing electromagnetic field strength, which is related to the path loss, in reconfigurable surface structures, particularly for long-distance transmission, presents an ongoing challenge. To address this, we introduce a novel analytical model employing surface wave ray tracing. Unlike conventional simulations, our analytical approach enables precise computation of the electromagnetic field strength attenuation in both short and long-distance transmissions, providing invaluable insights for practical SWC implementations. Our proposed model takes into account key system parameters such as surface material, thickness, cavity porosity, and other variables influencing propagation performance. This facilitates analysis of optimal reconfigurable structures. Simulation results validate the model’s accuracy in short-distance transmission, thereby endorsing its effectiveness in studying surface wave path loss over longer distances. Furthermore, our study demonstrates the SWC superiority over traditional coaxial cable and space-wave communication in mitigating path loss. Additionally, we explore the impacts of various factors such as different dielectric layers, wall materials, leakage, and pathway width on SWC performance, providing deeper insights into designing optimal reconfigurable structures for SWC applications.