Stratified refractivity effects on microwave propagation near the earth's surface

The effects on microwave radar performance of a horizontally stratified refractive index within the first 8 m of the earth's surface are considered. The radar propagation paths examined are near horizontal and about 1 km in length. The effects of several assumed refractivity profiles on the antenna pattern and on the interference produced by ground reflection are shown. Field test results compare the predicted radar performance obtained from a knowledge of the refractivity profile with the observed performance.