A Software Framework for the Parallel Computation of Ground Wave Propagation Delay and Attenuation

Radionavigation systems that operate in the low and medium frequency band require an accurate prediction of the electromagnetic ground wave propagation delay that is caused by the finite conductivity and permittivity of the earth’s surface. To consider the complex pattern of the mixed land-sea propagation path in the application of the terrestrial MF Ranging-Mode (R-Mode) system, a parallel processing software framework for the calculation of the ground wave propagation delay and the attenuation was developed. It combines existing approaches for the calculation of electromagnetic ground-wave propagation with algorithms for the calculation of ground conductivity and permittivity following recommendation ITU-R P.527-6. Beside R-Mode, the framework enables the fast computation of propagation parameters for ground-waves in the high, medium and low frequency band on a 2D grid.