Lately, there has been an increasing interest in studying the propagation of electromagnetic waves in periodic dielectric structures (photonic crystals). Like the electron propagation in semiconductors, these structures are represented by band diagrams in which gaps can be found where the electromagnetic propagation is forbidden. Much effort is dedicated to find structures that can prohibit the propagation of light in all directions. This effect could lead to light localization. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

The problem of rough surface scattering and propagation over rough terrain in ducting environments has been receiving considerable attention in the literature. One popular method of modeling this problem is the parabolic wave equation (PWE) method. In this method, the Helmholtz wave equation is replaced by a PWE under the assumption of predominant forward propagation and scattering. The resulting PWE subjected to the appropriate boundary condition(s) is then solved, given an initial field distribution, using marching techniques such as the split-step Fourier algorithm. As is obvious from the assumption on which it is based, the accuracy of the PWE approximation deteriorates in situations involving appreciable scattering away from the near-forward direction, i.e. when the terrain under consideration is considerably rough. The backscattered field is neglected in all PWE-based models. An alternative and more rigorous method for modeling the problem under consideration is the boundary integral equation (BIE) method, which is formulated in two steps. The first step involves setting up an integral equation (the magnetic field integral equation, MFIE, or the electric field integral equation EFIE) governing currents induced on the rough surface by the incident field and solving for these currents numerically. The resulting currents are then used in the appropriate radiation integrals to calculate the field scattered by the surface everywhere in space. The BIE method accounts for all orders of multiple scattering on the rough surface and predicts the scattered field in all directions in space (including the backscattering direction) in an exact manner. In homogeneous media, the implementation of the BIE approach is straightforward since the kernel (Green's function or its normal derivative) which appears in the integral equation and the radiation integrals is well known. This is not the case, however, in inhomogeneous media (ducting environments) where the Green's function is not readily known. Due to this fact, there has been no attempt, up to our knowledge, at using the BIE (except under the parabolic approximation) to model the problem under consideration prior to the work presented in this thesis. In this thesis, a closed-form approximation of the Green's function for a two-dimensional ducting environment formed by the presence of a linear-square refractivity profile is derived using the asymptotic methods of stationary phase and steepest descents. This Green's function is then modified to more closely model the one associated with a physical ducting medium, in which the refractivity profile decreases up to a certain height, beyond which it becomes constant. This modified Green's function is then used in the BIE approach to study low grazing angle (LGA) propagation over rough surfaces in the aforementioned ducting environment. The numerical method used to solve the MFIE governing the surface currents is MOMI, which is a very robust and efficient method that does not require matrix storage or inversion. The proposed method is meant as a benchmark for people studying forward propagation over rough surfaces using the parabolic wave equation (PWE). Rough surface scattering results obtained via the PWE/split-step approach are compared to those obtained via the BIE/MOMI approach in ducting environments. These comparisons clearly show the shortcomings of the PWE/split-step approach. / Ph. D.

The propagation of electromagnetic (EM) waves of frequencies above 100MHz is affected by the existence and properties of the atmospheric duct, i.e. a horizontal layer in the lower atmosphere in which radio signals propagate more efficiently. Atmospheric ducts can be found in many parts of the world ocean including the Arabian Gulf. Ambient winds blowing from different directions bring air masses of different properties into the area and hence have a significant impact on the formation and strength of the atmospheric duct. However, little information is available on the long-term and intra-annual variability of wind and its effect on the ducting phenomenon in the Arabian Gulf region. This study addresses this gap by characterising the local meteorology, with a special emphasis on its effect on electromagnetic wave propagation. This study uses a new methodology to measure the persistence of Shamal wind, by considering the number of days associated with the specific wind pattern in addition to commonly used parameters such as the wind speed. In this study, thirty years (1981-2010) of observations and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data have been analyzed to identify a long-term trend and the intra-annual variability of various wind systems. Results clearly indicate that the Shamal (the northwesterly wind) is the most frequent meteorological feature over the region; therefore it has been investigated in greater detail. The Suhaili (southerly wind) is the second important wind which can occur any time of the year but it is less frequent than the Shamal. The Al-Nashi (cold and dry northeasterly wind) wind occurs only in December, January and February. The analysis shows that the wind strength and the frequency of Shamal days over the region have decreased over the last thirty years. Variations in the occurrence of summer and winter Shamal days were studied in relation to global atmospheric phenomena, and relationships have been established, synoptically and statistically between the frequency of Shamal days and large-scale atmospheric fluctuations. These links include atmospheric fluctuations over the Caspian Sea (a correlation coefficient of 0.66) and Siberia (0.69) in summer and Greenland (0.51) and Western Europe (0.65) in winter. The frequency of winter Shamal days during December, January and February are shown to be statistically related (a correlation coefficient of 0.41) to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and (0.49) the Arctic Oscillation (AO), as they influence the pathway of the westerly depression over the north Atlantic Ocean during the winter season. It is also shown that the decline in the number of Shamal days is linked to a decrease in the number of westerly depressions. The EM wave propagation has been examined using the Advanced Refraction Effects Prediction System (AREPS) model for different representative air masses. The radiosonde data from Abu Dhabi airport used in AREPS provided evidence of the general influence of each air mass. It was found that atmospheric ducting conditions and characteristics (height, thickness, and type) were variable in the lower part of the atmosphere (surface to 6000m) as a result of changing air masses. The influence of the Shamal conditions develop an elevated duct at approximately 850mb level. The Suhaili increases the thickness of the evaporation duct. In regards to the surface based and elevated duct, Suhaili and Al-Nashi provide standard atmospheric conditions. Land and sea breezes were mostly associated with the surface based duct and sometimes elevated the duct. Atmospheric ducting could extend the range of electromagnetic wave propagation above the usual range. Good knowledge of atmospheric duct characteristics enables the efficient assessment of the range of EM propagation, which is important for a number of practical applications, for example air traffic control and rescue operations. This could include the selection of the appropriate frequency and altitude of the electromagnetic wave device (e.g. radar and/or communication systems) operating with a frequency above 100MHz to be trapped in the duct to cover long distances.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This is a study of abnormal refractive layer occurrence over the Amazon region and possible effects on radar and ESM systems, ground or airborne based. Climatologic data from three stations in that region are analyzed using computations from the Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE), soundings and satellite imagery. The GTE data provide monthly occurrences and seasonality of atmospheric ducts and superrefractive layers. Further, individual soundings from the March-June 2003 period and the Advanced Refractive Effects Prediction Systems (AREPS) 2.1 software are used in a case study that analyzed these layers and, in addition, subrefractive and multiple layers. Selected soundings were used in simulations to explain the effects of different types of abnormal layers on the electromagnetic propagation. Although abnormal layers did not affect ground systems, airborne ones were. For radar, a region with low or no detection is created when an abnormal layer refracts the electromagnetic energy upwards or downwards. Some combinations of multiple layers may cause effects even stronger. It is concluded that knowledge of the abnormal layers occurrence is important for operations in the Amazon region. Further, airborne radar platforms should measure local refractive conditions, if possible. A comprehensive study in time and space is recommended to provide forecasting. / Lieutenant Colonel, Brazilian Air Force

Presented is a radiometric sensor and associated electromagnetic propagation models, developed to facilitate non-invasive core body temperature extraction. The system has been designed as a close-proximity sensor to detect thermal emissions radiated from deep-seated tissue 1 cm – 3 cm inside the human body. The sensor is intended for close proximity health monitoring applications, with potential implications for deployment into the improved astronaut liquid cooling garment (LCG). The sensor is developed for high accuracy and resolution. Therefore, certain design issues that distort the close proximity measurement have been identified and resolved. An integrated cavity-backed slot antenna (CBSA) is designed to account for antenna performance degradation, which occurs in the near field of the human body. A mathematical Non-Contact Model (NCM) is subsequently used to correlate the observed brightness temperature to the subsurface temperature, while accounting for artifacts induced by the sensor’s remote positioning from the specimen. In addition a tissue propagation model (TPM) is derived to model incoherent propagation of thermal emissions through the human body, and accounts for dielectric mismatch and losses throughout the intervening tissue layers. The measurement test bed is comprised of layered phantoms configured to mimic the electromagnetic characteristics of a human stomach volume; hence defines the human core model (HCM). A drop in core body temperature is simulated via the HCM, as the sensor monitors the brightness temperature at an offset distance of approximately 7 mm. The data is processes through the NCM and TPM; yielding percent error values < 3%. This study demonstrates that radiometric sensors are indeed capable of subsurface tissue monitoring from the near field of the body. However, the following components are vital to achieving an accurate measurement, and are addressed in this work: 1) the antenna must be designed for optimum functionality in close proximity to biological media; 2) a multilayer phantom model is needed to accurately emulate the point of clinical diagnosis across the tissue depth; 3) certain parameters of the non-contact measurement must be known to a high degree of accuracy; and 4) a tissue propagation model is necessary to account for electromagnetic propagation effects through the stratified tissue.

Localisation, which is a mechanism for discovering the spatial relationship between objects, is an area that has received considerable research and development in recent times. A common name given to localisation operations based on the absolute reference frame of Earth is Geolocation. One important example of geolocation research is E-911, where wireless carriers in the United States must provide the location of 911 callers. The operation of E-911 can be based on either a network configuration, or the Global Positioning System (GPS). With the importance of localisation being acknowledged, a review concerning the vulnerability of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is provided as background and motivation for this research. With the current vulnerability of GNSS, this dissertation presents the results of a research program undertaken with the objective of developing an electromagnetic localisation technique that can determine the relative position of GPS Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) sources. Intended for operation in a hostile environment, blind and passive localisation methodologies must be incorporated into the developed model. In performing localisation research, a background of current techniques is provided in addition to a review of current electromagnetic propagation models. From the review of propagation models, the Parabolic Equation Model (PEM) was chosen for investigation concerning localisation. The selection of PEM is due to model properties that are required for blind/passive localisation. The localisation system developed in this research program is based on the integration of inverse diffraction propagation (IDP) within the parabolic equation model. The title chosen for the localisation method is Inverse Diffraction Parabolic Equation Localisation System (IDPELS). This thesis presents the simulation and field trial results of IDPELS. Under simulation, the terrain or obstacle profiles were not based on any geodetic datum. Any estimate provided by IDPELS under simulation is therefore a "Localisation" solution. In the field trials however, IDPELS operation is referred to as "Geolocation" as geodetic datum's where used to determine the receiver's position. Under simulation analysis, IDPELS operation was considered to provide good promise as it could simultaneously perform localisation on multiple transmission sources. In each investigated simulation scenario, a display of signals amplitude (dB units) is displayed over the entire region. By determining the field convergence regions, a localisation estimate of IDPELS is provided. By defining the convergence regions as areas having the greatest signal amplitude values (i.e. ≥ 99%), elliptical areas as low as 3.2m² were considered to indicate an excellent localisation capability. With the theoretical validity of IDPELS operation in electromagnetics having been established under simulation, further investigation into the practical feasibility of the IDPELS was performed. The field trials positioned a continuous-wave (CW) transmission source at a known location. By measuring signal phasors along a straight section of road, the geodetic spatial-phase profile was used as the input signal for IDPELS. Road sections used were cross-wise to the transmitter's boresight. Many data sets were recorded, each being made over a sixty second time period. Different regions and ranges where used to continuously measure the spatial-phase profile of the signal with fixed antennas in a moving vehicle. Such a measurement process introduced an analogy with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) processes. In quantitating the accuracy of the IDPELS geolocation estimate in field trials, the linear error of range and cross-range components was analysed. A free-space PEM model was chosen for development of IDPELS and hence, data sets demonstrating properties of a free-space environment were able to be considered suitable for testing of the geolocation method. Data sets demonstrating free-space propagation characteristics were measured at the base of the Mt Lofty ranges in South Australia, where the range and cross-range error are respectively 3.14m, and 0.15m. Such low error values clearly demonstrate the practical feasibility of IDPELS geolocation. With the practical feasibility of IDPELS having been established in this research program, a novel contribution to electromagnetic geolocation methodologies is provided. An important characteristic of any geolocation technique concerns its robustness to operate in a wide variety of possible environments. With continued development of IDPELS, the robustness of this passive/blind geolocation technique can be enhanced. Further assistance with geolocation of multiple transmission sources is also indicated to be available by IDPELS, as shown in the simulation analysis.

Future mines will benefit from connected intelligent transport system technologies. Autonomous mining vehicles will improve safety and productivity while decreasing the fuel consumption. Hence, it is necessary for Scania to increase the know-how regarding the design of vehicular communication systems for the harsh mine environment. The scope of this work is to examine the requirements for the antenna placement of a future autonomous mining truck and propose suitable antenna types and positions. By using the electromagnetic simulator suite CST Microwave Studio, the research estimates the impact of a simplified autonomous mining vehicle geometry on basic antenna radiation patterns. Some simulated antenna configurations are assessed with radiation pattern measurements. In order to radiate enough power towards the area surrounding the vehicle and guarantee reliable communications, the truck requires omnidirectional antennas in centered locations, or alternatively one patch antenna for each side. The method used to solve the problem is also assessed: flexibility provided by the simulation method is emphasized, whereas some relevant limitations are discussed. Hardware requirements, availability of the models and limited results provided by the software can make the simulation phase not suitable to evaluate the antenna placement. / Framtidens gruvor kommer att gynnas av sammankopplade, intelligenta transportsystem. Autonoma gruvfordon kommer att förbättra säkerhet och produktivitet, och samtidigt minska bränslekonsumtion. Därför är det nödvändigt för Scania att öka kunskapen om design av kommunikationssystem för fordon i hård gruvmiljö. Målet för detta projekt är att undersöka kraven för antennplacering hos ett framtida autonomt gruvfordon och att ge förslag på passande antenntyper och -positioner. Det elektromagnetiska simuleringsverktyget CST Microwave Studio används för att uppskatta påverkan från en förenklad fordonsgeometri på grundläggande antennstrålningsmönster. Utvalda antennkonfigurationer utvärderas genom undersökningar av dess strålningsmönster. För att kunna stråla ut tillräcklig effekt i området kring fordonet och garantera tillförlitlig kommunikation krävs centralt placerade runtstrålande antenner, eller alternativt en patchantenn till varje sida. Problemlösningsmetoden utvärderas också: Flexibiliteten simuleringsmetoden ger betonas, medan några relevanta begränsningar diskuteras. Hårdvarukrav, tillgängligheten av modeller och begränsade resultat från mjukvaran kan bidra till att göra simuleringen olämplig för att utvärdera antennplaceringen.

L’objectif de cette thèse a consisté en l’étude des apports d’une architecture radar MIMO pour la détection d’êtres humains à l’intérieur des bâtiments. Pour ce faire, il a tout d’abord été mis en évidence sur un point théorique la supériorité d’une architecture radar MIMO comparée au SIMO, en terme de robustesse et de pouvoir discriminant de cibles rapprochées. Ensuite, les effets de la traversée du mur sur le signal radar furent décrits et une caractérisation quantitative de la transmission à travers un mur fut réalisée sur mesures expérimentales. Différents simulateurs de scénarii de détection à travers les murs ont été produits : un simulateur réaliste FDTD ainsi qu’un simulateur «comportemental» simplifié.La méthode de détection et de localisation retenue est l’imagerie radar.Ainsi, différents algorithmes d’imagerie radar pour une architecture MIMO furent développés. Des traitements incohérents (migration, multilatération),cohérents (filtrage adapté) et haute résolution (MVDR, MUSIC Time Reversal) furent détaillés. Enfin des considérations techniques (bilan de liaison, temps d’observation de la scène) ont été discutées et deux architectures radar MIMO ultra-large bande furent proposées. Une architecture radar MIMO avec 2GHz de bande et un multiplexage temporel pour l’adressage des antennes d’émission a été réalisée par le personnel du laboratoire. Des mesures expérimentales ont conduites permettant de réaliser la détection à travers les murs à l’aide du dispositif réalisé. / This thesis focused on the study of the contributions of MIMO radar systemfor human beings detection inside buildings. First, on a theoretical point, it was highlighted the superiority of MIMO systems compared with the SIMO, in term of robustness and discrimination abilities of close targets. Then, through the wall propagation effects were described and a quantitative characterization of the transmission through a wall wasrealised based on experimental measures. Various simulators of scenarios of detection through walls were produced : a full-wave FDTD simulator and a simplified «behavioral» one. The method of detection and localisation is the radar imaging. So, differents algorithms of radar imaging for MIMO system were developed. Among them, incoherent processings (migration,multi-lateration), coherent (matched filtering) and high resolution(MVDR, MUSIC Time Reversal) were detailed. Finally, technical considerations(link budget, observation time of the scene) were discussed and two ultrawide band MIMO radar architectures were proposed. A experimental bench of MIMO radar with 2GHz bandwidth and a temporal multiplexing was realized in the laboratory. Experimental measures allow to realize the detection through walls with the realized MIMO radar.