Atmospheric Radar Wave Absorption
Atmospheric Radar Wave Absorption
This Demonstration computes radar wave absorption (dB/km) at microwave frequencies in the range 0.1 GHz to 100 GHz, at elevations above ground level from 0 to 30000 m in steps of 5000 m. These computations are performed assuming a standard atmosphere of temperature, pressure, and water vapor density as a function of altitude. Absorption of propagating radar waves is greatest at 22 GHz and 60 GHz due to absorption by water vapor molecules (22 GHz) and by oxygen molecules (60 GHz). For a fixed frequency, absorption is less at higher elevations than at lower elevations.