Polarization fading over an oblique incidence path

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of an investigation of polarization fading conducted over a one-hop F2 layer path from eastern Massachusetts approximately 1000 miles westward. Continuous recordings of pulse transmissions were made to study the instantaneous variations in amplitude of the vertically and horizontally polarized components of the received signal. Results are presented which show a strong dependence between the amplitudes of the two components. Deep fades on one component were found to be accompanied by maxima of the other. A possible interpretation is presented which involves interference between the magneto-ionic components and leads to some interesting conclusions regarding their characteristics. Results are also included to illustrate the variations in these signal levels as the MUF is approached.