We consider the problem of radiation from a vertical short (Hertzian) dipole above flat lossy ground, which represents the well-known “Sommerfeld radiation problem” in the literature. The problem is formulated in a novel spectral domain approach, and by inverse three-dimensional Fourier transformation the expressions for the received electric and magnetic (EM) field in the physical space are derived as one-dimensional integrals over the radial component of wavevector, in cylindrical coordinates. This formulation appears to have inherent advantages over the classical formulation by Sommerfeld, performed in the spatial domain, since it avoids the use of the so-called Hertz potential and its subsequent differentiation for the calculation of the received EM field. Subsequent use of the stationary phase method in the high frequency regime yields closed-form analytical solutions for the received EM field vectors, which coincide with the corresponding reflected EM field originating from the image point. In this way, we conclude that the so-called “space wave” in the literature represents the total solution of the Sommerfeld problem in the high frequency regime, in which case the surface wave can be ignored. Finally, numerical results are presented, in comparison with corresponding numerical results based on Norton’s solution of the problem.
1. Introduction
The so-called “Sommerfeld radiation problem” is a well-known problem in the area of propagation of electromagnetic (EM) waves above flat lossy ground for obvious applications in the area of wireless telecommunications [1–6]. The classical Sommerfeld solution to this problem is provided in the physical space by using the so-called “Hertz potentials” and it does not end up with closed-form analytical solutions. Norton [7, 8] concentrated in subsequent years more on the engineering application of the above problem with obvious application to wireless telecommunications and provided approximate solutions to the above problem, which are represented by rather long algebraic expressions for engineering use, in which the so-called “attenuation coefficient” for the propagating surface wave plays an important role.
In this paper, the authors take advantage of previous research work of them for the EM radiation problem in free space [9] by using the spectral domain approach. Furthermore, in [10], the authors provided the fundamental formulation for the problem considered here, that is, the solution in spectral domain for the radiation from a dipole moment at a specific angular frequency (ω) in isotropic media with a flat infinite interface. In that paper, the authors end up with integral representations for the received electric and magnetic fields above or below the interface (line-of-sight (LOS) plus reflected field-transmitted fields, resp.), where the integration takes place over the radial spectral coordinate kρ. Then, in the present paper, the authors concentrate on the solution of the classical “Sommerfeld radiation problem” described above, where the radiation of a vertical dipole moment at angular frequency ω takes place above flat lossy ground (this is equivalent to the radiation of a vertical small (Hertzian) dipole above flat lossy ground, as it will be explained by formula in the main text). By using the stationary phase method (SPM method [11–13]), integration over the radial spectral coordinate kρ is performed and the high frequency solution to the problem (“space wave,” which represents the interference of the line-of-sight (LOS) and the wave scattered from the ground) is derived, as it will be explained in detail in Section 4. Finally, numerical results which show both the “space wave” mentioned above and Norton’s “surface wave” [7, 8] are presented in Section 6. A shorter version of the present paper of ours can be found in [14].
2. Geometry of the Radiation Problem
The geometry of the problem is given in Figure 1. Here, a Hertzian (small) dipole with dipole moment p_ directed to positive x-axis, at altitude x0 above the infinite, flat, and lossy ground, radiates time-harmonic electromagnetic (EM) waves at angular frequency ω=2πf (exp(-iωt) time dependence is assumed in this paper). Here, the relative complex permittivity of the ground (medium 2) is εr′=ε′/ε0=εr+ix, where x=σ/ωε0=18×109σ/f, with σ being the ground conductivity and f the frequency of radiation, and ε0=8.854×10-12 F/m is the absolute permittivity in vacuum or air. Then, the wavenumbers of propagation of EM waves in air and lossy ground, respectively, are given by the following:
(1)k01=ωc1=ωε1μ1=ωε0μ0εr1μr1=ωε0μ0,k02=ωc2=ωε2μ2=ωεr2μr2ε0μ0=k01εr+ix.
The Maxwell equations for the time-harmonic EM fields considered above are given by
(2)rotE_-iωμ0μrH_=0,rotH_+iωε0εrH_=j_,
where j_ is current density (source of EM fields considered here).
Geometry of the radiation problem considered in this paper. The radiating dipole is at position (x0,0,0) above infinite, flat, and lossy ground situated at plane x=0.
3. Formulation of the Sommerfeld Radiation Problem in the Spectral Domain: Integral Representation for the Received Electric and Magnetic Fields3.1. EM Fields in terms of Spectral Domain Current Densities
Following [9, 10], the EM field in physical space is derived from current density J~ in spectral domain and Green’s function ψ~, also in the spectral domain, through inverse three-dimensional (3D) Fourier transformation as follows:
(3)H_=-iF-1[ψ~·(k_×J~_)],(4)E_=-iωεrε0F-1{ψ~[εrμrk02J~_-〈k_,J~_〉k_]},
where the symbol 〈〉 denotes the inner product, F-1 is the inverse 3D Fourier transform (FT) operator, and
(5)ψ~=(k012-k2)-1=(k012-kρ2-kx2)-1
is 3D Green’s function in spectral domain and cylindrical coordinates. Furthermore, by noting that, for the problem considered here, current density J~_=[J~(kρ),0,0] has only x-component and that wavevector k_=(kρ,kα=0,kx) does not possess azimuthal α component, by performing the cross product and inverse FT operation of (3), we obtain
(6)H_(r_)=-i(2π)3e^α∫kρ=0∞∫α=02π∫kx=-∞∞kxJ~(kρ)ψ~kρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·exp(ik_·r_)dkρdαdkx.
Similarly, by performing the inner product and inverse FT operation of (4), we obtain
(7)E_(r_)=-i(2π)3εrε0ω∫0∞∫02π∫-∞∞(εrμrk02e^ρ-kρk_)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·J~(kρ)ψ~kρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv×exp(ik_·r_)dkρdαdkx,
where
(8)k_=(kρ,0,kx)=kρe^ρ+kxe^x
is the wavevector of propagation and r_=(ρ,α,x) is the point of observation (see Figure 1), all in cylindrical coordinates. Furthermore, by taking (8) into account, (7) for the received electric field can also be written in the following form:
(9)E_(r_)=-i(2π)3εrε0ω∫0∞∫02π∫-∞∞((εrμrk02-kρ2)e^ρ-kρkxe^x)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·J~(kρ)ψ~kρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv×exp(ik_·r_)dkρdαdkx.
Furthermore, in order to integrate expressions (6) and (9) with respect to azimuthal angle α (see Figure 1), we take into account the fact that
(10)k_·r_=kxx+kρρ·cos(α-β),
where β is the azimuth angle of the projection of vector k_ on the yz-plane (see Figure 1). Then, by using the following identities for Bessel functions:
(11)12π∫02πexp(ikρρcosα)dα=J0(kρρ),∫0∞J0(kρρ)dkρ=12∫-∞∞H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ,
where J0 is the Bessel function of first kind and zero order and H0(1) is the Hankel function of first kind and zero order, we obtain
(12)H_(r_)=-i8π2e^α∫kρ=-∞∞∫kx=-∞∞kxJ~(kρ)ψ~kρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·H0(1)(kρρ)exp(ikxx)dkρdkx,E_(r_)=-i8π2ωεrε0∫kρ=-∞∞∫kx=-∞∞((εrμrk02-kρ2)e^ρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv-kρkxe^x)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv×J~(kρ)ψ~kρH0(1)(kρρ)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv×exp(ikxx)dkρdkx.
3.2. Formulation of the Boundary Value Problem
For the problem considered in this work (Figure 1), we now use (12), to write the appropriate expressions for the reflected (R) and transmitted (T) EM field, as follows:(13)H_R(r_)=-i8π2e^α∫kρ=-∞∞∫kx=-∞∞kxJ~R(kρ)ψ~1kρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·H0(1)(kρρ)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv×exp(ikxx)dkρdkx,E_R(r_)=-i8π2ωεr1ε0∫kρ=-∞∞∫kx=-∞∞((εr1μr1k012-kρ2)e^ρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv-kρkxe^x)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·J~R(kρ)ψ~1kρH0(1)(kρρ)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv×exp(ikxx)dkρdkx,H_T(r_)=-i8π2e^α∫kρ=-∞∞∫kx=-∞∞kxJ~T(kρ)ψ~2kρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·H0(1)(kρρ)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv×exp(ikxx)dkρdkx,E_T(r_)=-i8π2ωεr2ε0∫kρ=-∞∞∫kx=-∞∞((εr2μr2k022-kρ2)e^ρvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv-kρkxe^x)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·J~T(kρ)ψ~2kρH0(1)(kρρ)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv×exp(ikxx)dkρdkx,
where k01 and k02 are given by (1) and
(14)ψ~1=1k012-kρ2-kx2,ψ~2=1k022-kρ2-kx2.J~R_=[J~R(kρ),0,0], J~T_=[J~T(kρ),0,0] are the Fourier components of surface current density. Furthermore, the line-of-sight (LOS) EM field of the Hertzian dipole in thefar field is given by [11, 15]
(15)HαLOS(r,θ)=ω2p4πε0μ0exp(ikr)rsinθ=ωk01p4πexp(ikr)rsinθ,
where spherical coordinates (r,θ) are given in terms of cylindrical coordinates (ρ,x) (see Figure 1) by
(16)r≈ρ+(x-x0)22ρ,
(17a)θ=π-tan-1[ρ(x0-x)],forx0>x,
or
(17b)θ=tan-1[ρ(x-x0)],forx>x0,
(18)E_LOS(r,θ)=ζHαLOScosθe^ρ-ζHαLOSsinθe^x,
where HαLOS is given by (15)–((17a) and (17b)).
Then, the total EM field in the regions x>0 and x<0 (see Figure 1) is given by(19)H_(r_)={H_LOS(r_)+H_R(r_),x>0,H_T(r_),x<0,E_(r_)={E_LOS(r_)+E_R(r_),x>0,E_T(r_),x<0.
Furthermore, by performing the integrations of expressions (13) over kx, by using the residue theorem [16], we obtain the following integral expressions for the EM fields.
In the upper half space (x>0),
(20)H_(r_)=H_LOS(r_)-e^α8π∫-∞∞kρJ~R(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)eiκ1xdkρ,E_(r_)=E_LOS(r_)-18πωεr1ε0e^ρ∫-∞∞κ1kρJ~R(kρ)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·H0(1)(kρρ)eik1xdkρ+18πωεr1ε0ex∫-∞∞kρ2J~R(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)eiκ1xdkρ,
while for the lower half space (x<0)
(21)H_T(r_)=e^α8π∫-∞∞kρJ~T(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)e-iκ2xdkρ,E_T(r_)=-18πωεr2ε0e^ρ∫-∞∞κ2kρJ~T(kρ)·H0(1)(kρρ)e-ik2xdkρ+18πωεr2ε0e^x∫-∞∞kρ2J~T(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)e-iκ2xdkρ,
where
(22)κ1=k012-kρ2,κ2=k022-kρ2.
3.3. Application of the Boundary Conditions (BCs): Solution for the Unknown Current Densities at the Interface in Spectral Domain
We now apply the BCs that at the interface (x=0) the tangential components of electric field E and magnetic field H must be continuous; namely,
(23)HαLOS+HαR=HαT,EρLOS+EρR=EρT,
where
(24)HαLOS=-18π∫-∞∞iωpkρ2eiκ1x0κ1H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ,EρLOS=18πεr1ε0∫-∞∞iωpkρ2eiκ1x0H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ,HR=-18π∫-∞∞kρJ~R(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ,EρR=-18πωεr1ε0∫-∞∞κ1kρJ~R(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ,HαT=18π∫-∞∞kρJ~T(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ,E_T(r_)=-18πωεr2ε0∫-∞∞κ2kρJ~T(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ.
Then, from (23), we find
(25)18π∫-∞∞(iωpkρeiκ1x0κ1+J~R(kρ))H0(1)(kρρ)kρdkρ=-18π∫-∞∞J~T(kρ)H0(1)(kρρ)kρdkρ,18πεr1ε0∫-∞∞(-iωpkρeiκ1x0+J~R(kρ)κ1)·H0(1)(kρρ)kρdkρ=18πεr2ε0∫-∞∞J~T(kρ)κ2H0(1)(kρρ)kρdkρ.
Therefore, from (25), we obtain the following system of algebraic equations:(26a)iωpkρeiκ1x0κ1+J~R(kρ)=-J~T(kρ),(26b)-iωpkρeiκ1x0+J~R(kρ)κ1=εr1εr2J~T(kρ)κ2.The solutions of systems of (26a) and (26b) are the unknown Fourier components of surface current densities, as follows:(27a)J~R(kρ)=iωpkρeiκ1x0εr2κ1-εr1κ2κ1(εr2κ1+εr1κ2),(27b)J~T(kρ)=-iωpkρeiκ1x02εr2εr2κ1+εr1κ2.
3.4. Expressions for the Reflected and Transmitted EM Fields in Integral Representations
Substituting expressions of (27a) and (27b) for the unknown current densities (at the interface, in spectral domain) in (20)–(21), we obtain the reflected and transmitted EM fields in integral representations, as follows.
In the higher half space (LOS field plus reflected field, x>0),
(28)H_(r_)=H_LOS-iωpe^α8π∫-∞∞εr2κ1-εr1κ2κ1(εr2κ1+εr1κ2)kρ2vvvvvvvvvvvvv·H0(1)(kρρ)eiκ1(x0+x)dkρ,E_(r_)=E_LOS(r_)-ip8πεr1ε0e^ρ∫-∞∞kρ2εr2κ1-εr1κ2(εr2κ1+εr1κ2)vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv·eiκ1(x+x0)H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ+ip8πεr1ε0e^x∫-∞∞kρ3εr2κ1-εr1κ2κ1(εr2κ1+εr1κ2)eiκ1(x+x0)vvvvvvvvvvvvv·H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ.
The physical interpretation of (28), which represent one of the main results of this paper, is that the scattered EM field at the observation point consists of a complex summation of the EM waves scattered from the different points of the flat and lossy ground, each one with its own local reflection coefficient (here, the term “complex summation” means that the amplitude and phase of these individual scattered waves must be taken into account).
In the lower half space (transmitted fields, x<0),
(29)H_T(r_)=-iωp4πe^α∫-∞∞kρ2εr2εr2κ1+εr1κ2ei(κ1x0-κ2x)vvvvvvvvvv·H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ,E_T(r_)=-ip4πε0∫-∞∞(kρe^x-κ2e^ρ)kρ2εr2κ1+εr1κ2vvvvvvvvvv·ei(κ1x0-κ2x)H0(1)(kρρ)dkρ.
4. Electromagnetic (EM) Fields Reflected from Infinite, Flat, and Lossy Ground in the Far Field Region: Analytical High Frequency Expressions Obtained through the Application of the Stationary Phase Method (SPM)
In order to calculate the EM field above lossy ground (i.e., for x>0), we write (28) in the following form:
(30)E_x>0=E_LOS-ip8πε0εr1I1·e^ρ-ip8πε0εr1I2·e^x,(31)H_x>0=H_LOS-iωp8πI3·e^α,
where
(32)I1=∫kρ=-∞∞ε2κ1-ε1κ2ε2κ1+ε1κ2·kρ2·H0(1)(kρρ)·eiκ1(x+x0)dkρ,(33)I2=∫kρ=-∞∞kρ(ε2κ1-ε1κ2)κ1(ε2κ1+ε1κ2)·kρ2·H0(1)(kρρ)·eiκ1(x+x0)dkρ,(34)I3=∫kρ=-∞∞ε2κ1-ε1κ2κ1(ε2κ1+ε1κ2)·kρ2·H0(1)(kρρ)·eiκ1(x+x0)dkρ.
Furthermore, in order to calculate integral I1 (in an almost identical manner, integrals I2 and I3 will be calculated, using the SPM method [11–13, 17]), let us assume large argument approximation for the Hankel functions of (32)–(34); namely, let us assume that
(35)kρ·ρ≫1
for which case function H0(1)(kρρ) becomes a highly oscillating function of kρ. Then, since stationary phase method (SPM) is to be applied, we just replace H0(1)(kρρ) in (32) by its asymptotic large argument approximation:
(36)H0(1)(kρρ)=-2iπkρρ·e+ikρρ.
Then, integral I1 of (32) takes the following form:
(37)I1=-2iπ·1ρ∫kρ=-∞∞kρ3/2·ε2κ1-ε1κ2ε2κ1+ε1κ2·eiκ1(x+x0)e+ikρρdkρ.
Moreover, in order to apply SPM method, we define radial distance ρ (see Figure 1) as “large parameter,” and we also define the following.
Phase function is
(38)f(kρ)=κ1(x+x0)ρ+kρ.
Amplitude function is
(39)F(kρ)=kρ3/2·ε2κ1-ε1κ2ε2κ1+ε1κ2.
Next, according to the SPM method [11–13, 17], the “stationary point” is calculated from the following relation:
(40)f′(kρ)=df(kρ)dkρ=0
which finally yields the following expression for the “stationary point” (only one stationary point exists):
(41)kρs=k01ρ[(x+x0)2+ρ2]1/2=k011[1+((x+x0)/ρ)2]1/2=k01cosφ,
where φ is the angle defined by the image point of the radiating dipole, the observation point, and the horizontal line drawn from the above-mentioned image point and cosφ is given by (41). Furthermore, note that angle φ is the well-known “grazing angle” in the literature [15], as shown in Figure 2.
Geometry of the radiation problem considered in this paper, where also the image A′ of the radiating Hertzian dipole is shown. Regarding angle φ shown in this figure, cosφ is given by (41).
Note here that for the air-lossy ground problem considered here kρs is real and positive and kρs<k01. Also, we can easily see that
(42)limρ→∞kρs=lim(x+x0)→0kρs=k01.
Furthermore, according to the SPM method [11–13, 17], we also have to calculate the second derivative of the phase function, which in our case is calculated, from (38) and (40) as
(43)f′′(kρs)=-(x+x0)ρ·k012(k012-kρs2)3/2.
Note here that f′′(kρ) is always negative; that is,
(44)sgn[f′′(kρs)]=-1
whose relation is needed in the application of SPM method.
Then, by actually applying the SPM method [11–13, 17], from (37), we find
(45)I1=iF(kρs)eiρf(kρs)·ei(π/4)sgn[f′′(kρs)]2πρ|f′′(kρs)|·2πρexp(iπ4)
or
(46)I1=i2ρ1|f′′(kρs)|1/2F(kρs)eiρf(kρs).
Then, by using expressions (33)-(34) and (45), we finally end up with the following expressions:(47)I1=i2k01ρ1/21(x+x0)1/2κ1s3/2kρs3/2ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2seikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0),(48)I2=i2k01ρ1/21(x+x0)1/2κ1s1/2kρs5/2ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2seikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0),(49)I3=i2k01ρ1/21(x+x0)1/2κ1s1/2kρs3/2ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2seikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0),
where
(50)κ1s=k012-kρs2=k01sinφ,
where angle φ is defined in Figure 2, and
(51)κ2s=k022-kρs2.
Then, our final solution in the high frequency regime (i.e., by using the SPM method) consists of (30)-(31) and (47)–(51), where kρs is given by (41).
5. Final Formulae for the Received Electric and Magnetic Field Vector: Fields Reflected from the Lossy Ground 5.1. Electric Field Vector
By using (30), (47), and (48), we obtain the following result for the electric field vector, scattered from the lossy ground, at the observation point:
(52)E_x>0sc=p4πε0εr11ρ1/21(x+x0)1/2κ1s1/2kρs3/2k01·ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2seikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0)·(κ1se^ρ+kρse^x)=pk014πε0εr1(sinφ)1/2(cosφ)3/2ρ1/2(x+x0)1/2·ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2seikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0)·(κ1se^ρ+kρse^x)=pk01cosφ4πε0εr1(A′A′)·ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2seikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0)·(κ1se^ρ+kρse^x),
where angle φ and distance (A′A′) are shown in Figure 2 (note that (A′A′) is the distance between the image point and the observation point and φ is the so-called “grazing angle” [15]). Moreover, we observe that function
(53)RV=|RV|eiφV=ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2s
is the usual (complex) “Fresnel reflection coefficient” for the “Sommerfeld radiation problem” considered in this paper (since RV is complex, this means change in magnitude and in phase of the incident EM wave upon reflection from the lossy ground).
Furthermore, in order to elaborate a little more in formula (52), we define the “amplitude factor” F0 by
(54)F0=p4π1ρ1/21(x+x0)1/2κ1s1/2kρs3/2k01
and the “phase factor” φ0 by
(55)φ0=kρsρ+κ1s(x+x0)
which is the phase in (52) in addition to the phase φV originating from the complex “Fresnel reflection coefficient” RV of (53). Then, from (52)–(55), we obtain
(56)E_x>0=1ε0εr1F0RVeiφ0(κ1se^ρ+kρse^x).
Finally, by taking (41) and (50) into account, we find the following expressions for horizontal (along e^ρ) and vertical (along e^x) components of electric field vector, respectively:
(57)Ehsc|x>0=κ1sε0εr1F0RVeiφ0=k01sinφε0εr1F0RVeiφ0,EVsc|x>0=kρsε0εr1F0RVeiφ0=k01cosφε0εr1F0RVeiφ0,(58)|E_totsc|x>0=|Ehsc|2+|EVsc|2=k01ε0εr1F0|RV|.
5.2. Magnetic Field Vector
Similarly, by using (31) and (49), we find the following expression for the scattered magnetic field vector above the flat and lossy ground:
(59)H_x>0sc=ωp4π1ρ1/21(x+x0)1/2κ1s1/2kρs3/2k01·ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2seikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0)e^α=ωk01p4π(sinφ)1/2(cosφ)3/2ρ1/2(x+x0)1/2ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2s×eikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0)e^α=ωk01p·cosφ4π(A′A′)ε2κ1s-ε1κ2sε2κ1s+ε1κ2seikρsρeiκ1s(x+x0)e^α.
Furthermore, by using the definitions of quantities RV, F0, and φ0, (53)–(55), we obtain
(60)H_sc|x>0=ωF0RVeiφ0e^α,(61)|H_sc|x>0=ωF0|RV|.
Finally, note that from (58) and (61) it follows that
(62)|E_totsc|x>0|H_sc|x>0=ζ=μ0ε0,
where ζ is the free space impedance.
Expressions (52) and (59) are the classical expressions for the EM field reflected from the lossy ground and originating from the image point, as shown in Figure 2. Then, by using the newly derived expressions for the received EM field in spectral domain in this paper, (28), and by applying the SPM method, that is, in the high frequency regime, the classical “space wave” in region x>0 [15] is derived. This result has the following two interesting consequences.
The “space wave” [15], which corresponds to the complex summation (interference) of the reflected fields, (52) and (59), and the line-of-sight (LOS) fields (the latter not included in these equations, but shown in (15) and (18)), is the solution to the Sommerfeld radiation problem in the high frequency regime, where the so-called “surface wave” can be ignored [7, 8, 15].
The validity of expressions (28) for the scattered EM field above the lossy and flat ground, derived in a novel way in this paper, has been confirmed in all aspects in the high frequency regime. Then, it appears that expressions (28)–(29) represent a very convenient starting point for further research with respect to the calculation of the received EM field for any frequency of the radiating dipole (i.e., including also low frequency effects), either above or below the ground, in an exact analytical way using the “residue theorem” [16], or in a numerical way (i.e., through numerical integration techniques).
6. Numerical Results in the High Frequency Regime: Comparison with Norton’s Results
In this Section, indicative numerical results are provided for the electric field (magnitude) at the receiver point as a function of the horizontal distance (ρ) between transmitting Hertzian dipole and receiver position. These numerical results include the electric field scattered from the ground, magnitude of (52), the line-of-sight (LOS) field, the so-called “space wave” (which is just the complex summation (interference) of the two fields mentioned above), and, finally, the so-called “surface wave,” according to Norton [7, 8, 15]. Furthermore, these numerical results are provided for frequency of radiating dipole f=80 MHz (Figure 3) or f=30 MHz (Figure 4).
Electric fields at observation point as a function of horizontal distance ρ between transmitting Hertzian dipole and observation point, for frequency f=80 MHz. Here, the various components of received electric field are shown as follows: line-of-sight (LOS) field (circle), field scattered from ground (asterisk), “space wave” (square), and “surface wave” (diamond). Note that in this case Norton’s “surface wave” is rather negligible as compared to the corresponding “space wave” [15].
Similar to Figure 3, except that here the frequency of radiating Hertzian dipole is now equal to 30 MHz (lower frequency). In this case of lower frequency, the “surface wave” cannot be considered negligible, as compared to the “space wave” [15].
Comparison of numerical results for LOS electric field, scattered electric field, and space wave, derived from our formulation, and Norton’s results [7, 8, 15] shows very good agreement, as it can be seen in Figures 3 and 4. The surface wave represented in Figures 3 and 4 is the so-called “Norton surface wave” [7, 8, 15]. Note that at the higher frequency of 80 MHz (Figure 3) the surface wave, according to Norton’s formulation [7, 8, 15], is rather negligible, as compared to the “space wave,” while it becomes rather more important at the lower frequency of 30 MHz (Figure 4). Our proposed SPM method of Sections 4 and 5 (which is inherently a “high frequency method”) ignores this surface wave contribution in the high frequency regime.
Moreover, note that the problem parameters in Figures 3 and 4 are selected as follows: height of transmitting dipole x0=60 m, height of observation point (receiver position) x=15 m, current of the radiating Hertzian dipole I=1 A, length of the Hertzian dipole 2h=0.1 m (much smaller than the wavelength λ=c/f in both cases), relative dielectric constant of ground εr=20, and ground conductivity σ=0.01 S/m. Finally, note that the relation between current I and dipole moment p is given by I(2h)=iωp, where ω=2πf and i is the unit imaginary number.
7. Conclusions: Future Research
In this paper, we formulated the radiation problem from a vertical short (Hertzian) dipole above flat and lossy ground in the spectral domain, which resulted in an easy-to-manipulate integral expression for the received EM field above or below the ground. As also explained above, this formulation appears to have inherent advantages over the classical formulation by Sommerfeld [6], since it avoids the use of the so-called Hertz potential and its subsequent differentiation for the calculation of the received EM field. Subsequently, by applying the stationary phase method (SPM) in the high frequency regime, the classical solution for the “space wave” was rederived in a new fashion, thus showing that this is the dominant solution in this high frequency regime. Mathematical derivations regarding the application of our proposed method in spectral domain, as well as the application of the SPM method, were provided in reasonable detail above. Finally, numerical results in this high frequency limit were obtained and they were compared to Norton’s results [7, 8, 15].
Corresponding research in the near future by our research group will concentrate on the calculation of the received EM field below the ground at the high frequency regime (by using again the SPM method). Furthermore, we will calculate the received EM field, above or below the ground, for any frequency of the radiating dipole, in an exact and analytical manner [16] or in a numerical way (i.e., through the use of numerical integration techniques [18]). In this context, the behavior of surface waves will become evident through the use of the residue theorem, when applied to (28), in a way similar to [6].
Moreover, we intend also to investigate the formulation of the same radiation problem in spectral domain, but now in the case of a horizontal radiating Hertzian dipole above flat and lossy ground. In addition, further investigations will be performed in the case of rough (and not flat) ground and in the case of curvature of the earth’s surface for large distance communication applications. Finally, in the near future, our research group will focus on the design of a software product for accurate prediction of pass loss in different types of environment, like urban, suburban, and rural environments. The above software tool will be based on the exact electromagnetic (EM) method proposed in this paper, and therefore it is expected that it will exhibit important advantages over previously developed corresponding software tools. In this framework, comparisons with existing commercial software tools will also be performed [19].
Conflict of Interests
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
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