UHF band Radio Wave Propagation Mechanism in Forested Environments for Wireless Communication Systems

Abstract

Radio frequency propagation is the mechanism of the transfer of energy or information at radio frequencies from one point, a transmitter, to another, a receiver. The energy radiated by a transmitter may take several paths before it is received. The path to be taken by radio wave depends on certain factors, such as: frequency, antenna type and height, atmospheric conditions and terrain. In this research work, UHF broadcast signal strength measurements were taken for both wet season (trees in leafs) and dry season (trees relatively out of leaf) in Akure-Ilara route of Ondo state, Nigeria and the result obtained were validated against the theoretical estimations. However, in the wet season, there were more attenuation of signal compared to dry season and signal degradation is a function of leaf density. The lower the leaf density, the better the signal received. It is thereby required, in wet season more power is expected to be pumped out from the transmitter in order to cover the targeted areas.

Keywords: Radio wave, Forest, Measurements, Signal strength, UHF, Akure-Ilara