We study noise from wind turbines while taking irregular terrain and non-constant atmosphere into consideration. We will show that simulating the distribution of 3D acoustic waves can be done by using only low frequencies, thus reducing the computational complexity significantly.

In the journey toward optimal spectrum usage, techniques and concepts such as Cognitive Radio and Dynamic Spectrum Access have enjoyed increasing attention in many research projects. Dynamic Spectrum Access introduces the need for real-time RF spectrum information in the form of Radio Environment Maps. This need motivates an investigation into a hybrid approach of sample measurements and spatial interpolation as opposed to using conventional propagation models. Conventional propagation models, both path-general and path-specific, require information of transmitters within the area of interest. Irregular Terrain Models such as the Longley-Rice model, further require topographic information in order to consider the effects of obstacles. The proposed spatial interpolation technique, kriging, requires no information regarding transmitters. Furthermore, Ordinary Kriging requires nothing other than measured samples whereas other kriging variants such as Universal Kriging and Regression Kriging can use additional information such as topographic data to aid in prediction accuracy. This dissertation investigates the performance of the three aforementioned kriging variants in producing Radio Environment Maps of received power. For practical and financial reasons, the received power measurement samples are generated using the Longley-Rice Irregular Terrain Model and are, therefore, simulated measurements. The experimental results indicate that kriging shows great promise as a tool to generate Radio Environment Maps. It is found that Ordinary Kriging produces the most accurate predictions of the three kriging methods and that prediction errors of less than 10 dB can be achieved even when using very low sampling densities. / MSc (Computer and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In the journey toward optimal spectrum usage, techniques and concepts such as Cognitive Radio and Dynamic Spectrum Access have enjoyed increasing attention in many research projects. Dynamic Spectrum Access introduces the need for real-time RF spectrum information in the form of Radio Environment Maps. This need motivates an investigation into a hybrid approach of sample measurements and spatial interpolation as opposed to using conventional propagation models. Conventional propagation models, both path-general and path-specific, require information of transmitters within the area of interest. Irregular Terrain Models such as the Longley-Rice model, further require topographic information in order to consider the effects of obstacles. The proposed spatial interpolation technique, kriging, requires no information regarding transmitters. Furthermore, Ordinary Kriging requires nothing other than measured samples whereas other kriging variants such as Universal Kriging and Regression Kriging can use additional information such as topographic data to aid in prediction accuracy. This dissertation investigates the performance of the three aforementioned kriging variants in producing Radio Environment Maps of received power. For practical and financial reasons, the received power measurement samples are generated using the Longley-Rice Irregular Terrain Model and are, therefore, simulated measurements. The experimental results indicate that kriging shows great promise as a tool to generate Radio Environment Maps. It is found that Ordinary Kriging produces the most accurate predictions of the three kriging methods and that prediction errors of less than 10 dB can be achieved even when using very low sampling densities. / MSc (Computer and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

[pt] Os efeitos das variações laterais de um terreno irregular na propagação de ondas eletromagnéticas são considerados pela representação dos campos vetoriais em termo de dois potenciais escalares Hertzianos em coordenadas esféricas. A combinação da equação parabólica para esses potenciais com uma condição de contorno de impedância para o solo, seguida por uma transformação de variáveis, define um problema de condição de contorno caracterizado por equações exibindo coeficientes que dependem da função altura do terreno e de suas derivadas parciais. A solução do problema através do esquema de Crank-Nicolson leva a um sistema esparso de equações lineares que é resolvido por um método direto. O modelo numérico resultante é aplicado a terrenos irregulares, representando configurações tridimensionais hipotéticas. / [en] The effects from lateral variations of irregular terrain on the propagation of radio waves are considered by the representation of the vector fields in terms of two scalar Hertz potentials in spherical coordinates. The combination of three-dimensional parabolic equations for these potentials with an impedance boundary condition for the ground, followed by a transformation of variables, will define a boundary-condition problem characterized by equations displaying coefficients that depend on the terrain height function and its partial derivatives. The problem solution through the Crank-Nicolson scheme will lead to a sparse system of linear equations, which will be solved by a direct method. The resulting numerical model will be applied to irregular terrain, representing hypothetical three-dimensional configurations.