Millimeterwave propagation within boundary layers over sea - comparison of modelling and experimental data

The performance of sensors operating within the marine boundary layer is severely influenced by the actual atmospheric conditions and the sea surface. Propagation models are in existence, which cope with the varying environment and allow a performance prediction for sensors in different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. Model calculations give evidence for a complementary performance of sensors operating in the IR region and at millimeterwaves (35/94 GHz). To validate existing radar propagation models like TERPEM and to compare IR and mm-wave propagation over sea under various atmospherical conditions, joint experiments were conducted over transmission ranges well beyond the horizon, assisted by a careful characterization of the environment. This paper describes the experimental approach and gives representative results for measurement and simulation. The implications on performance especially for a multispectral (IR/mmW) approach are discussed.