On the Wavelength Dependence of the Information Capacity of Meteor-Burst Propagation

The discontinuous vhf signal, propagated over ranges up to 2000 km by reflections from meteor ionization trails, makes possible an important new technique for radio communication. With this technique, the required transmitter power and antenna sizes are considerably less than for communication by the continuous vhf scatter signal supported by smaller meteors and other scattering sources in the lower E region. The wavelength dependence of the information capacity of meteor-burst propagation is approximately λ
^2.7
, which may be compared to approximately λ
^4.7
for the continuous signal. Thus, by adding the complexity in the terminal equipment needed for discontinuous operation, meteor-burst communication can fill an important need at the same wavelengths that are used in ionospheric-scatter communication, and can be used at shorter wavelengths than are feasible with continuous scatter. This extension to shorter wavelengths should make it possible to reduce the interference problem now being encountered in the lower vhf band, and to greatly increase the number of channels available for reliable longrange communication.