An advanced propagation tool for satellite ATM and aeronautical communications

The objective of this paper is to present the development of a new software tool for the analysis of propagation effects on satellite-to-aircraft communications, valid for frequencies between VHF and Ka-band. This tool shall take into account several phenomena that influence the characteristics of the propagation channel, and therefore the performances of the link. First of all, the antenna pattern is modified by the antenna installation on the airborne platform, due to interactions with the structural elements of the platform (including in the case of moving elements e.g. helicopter blades), and this can also generate short delay additional multipaths. Secondly, the aircraft dynamics on its flight trajectory results in attitude variations modifying the received signals. Third, surface scattering effects may create multipaths, and this has to be taken into account for sea and ground surfaces, including the case with vegetation layers. Finally atmospheric effects due to troposphere and/or ionosphere may impair the channel depending on the frequency band.