Revisiting Enhanced AIS Detection Range under Anomalous Propagation Conditions

Two clear-air over-the-horizon propagation mechanisms affecting the Automatic Identification System (AIS) detection range are considered. Comparison results are presented between the path loss due to tropospheric ducting and path loss due to tropospheric scattering (troposcatter) for the AIS frequencies. The calculations are based on the well-known parabolic equation approximation to the wave equation, in which a simple troposcatter formula is incorporated. In most studied cases, the ducting ensures a significantly greater reduction in path loss than troposcatter even when the AIS frequencies are not well trapped in the duct. Emphasis is placed on the elevated trapping layers, and some features that may make ducting propagation less favorable in terms of increasing the AIS detection range are discussed