Accurate Computation of Scintillation in Tropospheric Turbulence With Parabolic Wave Equation

Parabolic wave equation (PWE) propagation models using multiple phase screens (MPS) are widely used to predict the log-amplitude variance of the signal propagating in tropospheric turbulence. Previous literature demonstrates the limitations of the MPS technique, usable only when the signal frequency is low (typically below 5 GHz for radio-wave propagation in the troposphere). In this article, we demonstrate that the accuracy of the MPS technique depends not only on the signal frequency but also on the outer scale length ( L
_os
) of the turbulent eddy. For example, when L
_os
is on the order of tens of meters (e.g., in most terrestrial communication links), the MPS method is indeed unusable at high frequencies, but, when L
_os
is on the order of hundreds of meters (e.g., in air-ground and satellite links), the method can be used even at millimeter-wave frequencies. Next, a correlated phase screen (CPS) implementation within the PWE is introduces, which avoids the condition of statistical noncorrelation of the phase screens in the MPS technique, and as such, it can be used for any signal frequency. Finally, an ad hoc error metric is provided, allowing for the selection of the appropriate phase screen model based on the signal frequency, turbulence outer scale length, and the electromagnetic (EM) link distance. The simulated signal log-amplitude variances as a function of range at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies using the CPS method are reported here for the first time and are shown to be in excellent agreement with the analytically obtained values.