Characteristics of VHF Line-Of-Sight Propagation for Point-To-Area Network in A Tropical Atmosphere

This paper investigates the degree of influence of weather and the environment on radio signal propagation between a Very High Frequency (VHF) band transmitter and a receiver in the North Central region of Nigeria. Signal strength measurements were made from a Frequency Modulation (FM) station broadcasting at 100.5 MHz using a digital signal level meter. The results obtained showed that received signal strength (RSS) values were higher during the wet season with average values ranging between 41 dBµV and 50 dBµV as compared to lower values of between 36 dBµV and 48 dBµV recorded during the dry season. The computed radio refractivity revealed similar trend of low dry season values in the range of 291 N-units to 345 N-units and high wet season values ranging between 350 N-units and 363 N-units. Also, the cumulative frequency distribution of the signal level computed showed that 50 dBµV had the highest number of samples, while 60 dBµV and 70 dBµV recorded the lowest number of samples. In addition, dry season values of attenuation deduced ranged between 1.6 dB and 2.8 dB, while average wet season attenuation values vary from 1.4 dB to 2.3 dB. Finally, the RSS was modeled using ITU-R P.526-12 to predict losses due to diffraction over the earth’s curvature, and the results obtained revealed that the model underestimated the RSS for the radio link

Wind speed on ultra high frequency (UHF) of radio signal

East coast of Peninsular Malaysia has received average wind speed up to 55km/h which equivalent to 15.4m per second and 30 knot, especially during monsoon. These circumstances had affected the radio signal by degrading its strength and quality. This study observe the relationship of wind speed and radio signal in Ultra High Frequency band. The statistical spearman correlation were applied and graph relationship of two variables were plotted in order to investigate these two variables. The measurement were done at 24 hour in February and July 2016 at Kusza Observatory. Analysis of result shown that high correlation strength (r = 0.555) was indicated in first of observation (1-O) at frequency of 382.5MHz. No high correlation were quantified in second of observation (2-O). These findings related to the observed high wind speed which is brought high of water vapor, hence attenuating the radio signal.Keywords: radio signal strength; wind speed; correlatio

Refraction interference elimination employing smart arrays at VHF

Radio interference from the Middle East is one of the most significant problems plaguing the local radio services in Cyprus today. The issue is particularly noticeable on the highway, where it affects in-car tuners in all coastal areas of the island when the weather is hot and humid. In this work, the problem of interference from the Middle East was explored in the context of field strength variations versus the type of propagation mechanism favouring the radio waves in Band II, allowing them to travel from the Middle East to beyond the horizon in Cyprus. This problem was significant, since no line of sight exists between the two regions. After in-depth analysis adhering to the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) Recommendations, it was demonstrated that interference is caused by “Tropospheric Ducting”, i.e., trapping of the overseas transmitted signals between two layers of the troposphere at different heights. The upper air data were obtained using the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF-ARW version 3.4) model. The results yielded by the present study confirm that this model provides accurate prediction of interference for up to five days in advance. The interference problem is widely recognized, and therefore many attempts have been made to explicate its causes and provide solutions. The aim of the present study was to present a robust solution based on an innovative receiving antenna design. The antenna is a receiver’s component that collects electromagnetic waves from various directions. The rationale behind focusing on a circular array topology is that its tuning ensures that the receiver processes the desired signal only, while rejecting the unwanted interference. This can presently only be achieved by a large directional external antenna that must be steered mechanically in the desired direction. As this arrangement is not practical, an innovative smart antenna was proposed as an alternative. A circular phased array is a very compact antenna that produces a predicted radiation pattern, whereby it receives maximum energy from the desired direction without the need for mechanical control. Circular arrays exhibit high gain as well as immunity to interference, making them ideal for use in high interference environments. This combination allows the antenna to be incorporated into a commercial deck receiver or installed on vehicles

Analysis and modelling of the impact of anomalous propagation on terrestrial microwave links in a subtropical region, based on long-term measurements. Statistical analysis of long-term meteorological and signal strength measurements in a subtropical region and investigation of the impact of anomalous refractivity profiles on radio propagation in terrestrial microwave wireless systems

Prevailing propagation phenomena in certain areas play a vital role in deciding terrestrial wireless systems performance. Vertical refractivity profile below 1 km is a critical parameter for designing reliable systems; noting that there is a shortage of upper-air data worldwide. Anomalous phenomena may cause severe signal fading and interference beyond the horizon. The objectives of this thesis are to investigate dominant refractive conditions in the subtropical Arabian Gulf region, develop new approaches and empirical models for evaluating vertical refractivity profiles and relevant propagation parameters in the low troposphere, and to examine the impact of frequently experienced anomalous phenomena on terrestrial microwave links. Twenty-three years of meteorological measurements, from 1990 to 2013, are utilized using spatially separated surface stations and a single radiosonde in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Profiles of sea level, surface and upper refractivity components are statistically analysed. Three major atmospheric layers; namely 65 m, 100 m and 1 km above the ground are studied to analyse relevant propagation parameters such as sub-refraction, super-refraction, anomalous propagation probability parameter β0 and point refractivity gradient not exceeded for 1% of time. The effective earth radius factor k is investigated using a new weighted averaged approach. In addition, the seasonal structure of atmospheric ducting is dimensioned within 350 m layer above ground. Finally, microwave measurement campaign is conducted using multiple radio links operating in UAE using various frequency bands. The link budget simulations are compared with the signal strength measurements. Fading scenarios are studied against the observed anomalous conditions and several recommendations are concluded

Antioxidant and DPPH-Scavenging Activities of Compounds and Ethanolic Extract of the Leaf and Twigs of Caesalpinia bonduc L. Roxb.

Antioxidant effects of ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia bonduc and its isolated bioactive compounds were evaluated in vitro. The compounds included two new cassanediterpenes, 1α,7α-diacetoxy-5α,6β-dihydroxyl-cass-14(15)-epoxy-16,12-olide (1)and 12α-ethoxyl-1α,14β-diacetoxy-2α,5α-dihydroxyl cass-13(15)-en-16,12-olide(2); and others, bonducellin (3), 7,4’-dihydroxy-3,11-dehydrohomoisoflavanone (4), daucosterol (5), luteolin (6), quercetin-3-methyl ether (7) and kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1Ç2)-β-D-xylopyranoside (8). The antioxidant properties of the extract and compounds were assessed by the measurement of the total phenolic content, ascorbic acid content, total antioxidant capacity and 1-1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide radicals scavenging activities.Compounds 3, 6, 7 and ethanolic extract had DPPH scavenging activities with IC50 values of 186, 75, 17 and 102 μg/ml respectively when compared to vitamin C with 15 μg/ml. On the other hand, no significant results were obtained for hydrogen peroxide radical. In addition, compound 7 has the highest phenolic content of 0.81±0.01 mg/ml of gallic acid equivalent while compound 8 showed the highest total antioxidant capacity with 254.31±3.54 and 199.82±2.78 μg/ml gallic and ascorbic acid equivalent respectively. Compound 4 and ethanolic extract showed a high ascorbic acid content of 2.26±0.01 and 6.78±0.03 mg/ml respectively.The results obtained showed the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of C. bonduc and deduced that this activity was mediated by its isolated bioactive compounds