Sky Wave Propagation

Outline
Sky Wave Propagation Ionosphere Layers of ionosphere

Sky wave Propagation

EM waves that are directed above the horizon level are called Sky waves. Sky waves are radiated toward the sky, where they are either reflected or refracted back to Earth by the ionosphere. Sky wave propagation is used for long distance point to point communication (1000 km or more). EM waves of frequencies 3 to 30 MHz are reflected back from the ionosphere and frequencies more than 30 MHz are penetrate the ionosphere. This mode of propagation also called as Short wave propagation .

Sky wave Propagation

Sky wave Propagation

Ionosphere
The ionosphere is the upper portion of Earths atmosphere ranging from 50 km to 400 km from the Earths surface. Ionosphere is the most important region of the atmosphere for long distance point to point communications. Ionosphere absorbs large quantities of the suns radiant energy, which ionizes the air molecules, creating free electrons. The most important ionizing agents are ultra violet raditions, , rays, cosmic rays and meteors. Once a molecule is ionized, it does not remain ionized indefinitely, since the process of recombination continued all the time.

Ionosphere
Ionosphere is composition of different layers, so that sky waves of different frequencies will return to earth from different heights. The different layers in the ionopshere are due to the fact that different gases in the earths atmosphere ionized at different pressures(heights). . The number of layers, their heights and the amount of sky wave that can be bent (refracted) by them will vary from day to day. For each such layer there is a critical frequency, above which radio waves will not return to the Earth, but will penetrate it. The free electrons in the atmosphere cause radio waves to be refracted and eventually reflected back to Earth.

Ionosphere

Ionosphere
The layers in the ionosphere during day time are D layer ( 50 km 90 km) E layer ( 90 km 140 km) F1 layer ( 140 km 250 km) F2 layer ( 250 km 400 km)

D - Layer
The D layer is the lowest layer of the ionosphere and is located approximately between 50 km to 90 km above Earths surface. D layer is present only during the day light hours and disappears at night. This is due to the fact degree of ionization depends on the altitude of the sun and absence of ionizing radiations after sunset resulting vanishing of D layer. The D layer reflects VLF and LF waves and absorbs MF and HF waves.

D - Layer

E - Layer
The E layer is located approximately between 90 km to 140 km above Earths surface. The E layer is sometimes called the Kennelly-Heaviside layer after the two scientists who discovered it. The E layer has its maximum density at noon, when the sun is at its highest point. The E layer supports MF waves and reflects HF waves partially during day time. The E layer disappears at night as like D layer.

F - Layer
The F layer is actually made up of two layers, the F1 and F2 layers. During daytime the F1 layer is located between 140 to 250 km and F2 layer is located between 250 km to 400 km above Earths surface. During the night, the F1 layer combines with the F2 layer to form a single layer. The F1 layer absorbs and attenuates some HF waves.

F - Layer
The F2 layer is the most important region for HF propagation because, It is present 24 hours of the day Its high altitude allows the longest communication paths. It usually refracts the highest frequencies in the HF range.

F - Layer
The F2 layer is the most important region for HF propagation because, It is present 24 hours of the day Its high altitude allows the longest communication paths. It usually refracts the highest frequencies in the HF range.