Author

Noah W. Friz

Date of Award

3-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Andrew J. Terzuoli, PhD

Abstract

The USAF is interested in developing a solar powered satellite power beaming system using X-Band radiation. To determine the expected level of transmission efficiency of the system, an atmospheric characterization and radiative transfer modeling system called LEEDR was employed. A study was conducted to validate LEEDRs performance while working with microwave frequencies by replicating brightness temperatures measured by a 10.7 GHz radiometer above the Pacific Ocean in 1999. The results were inconclusive. Brightness temperature vs. rain rate curves developed within other studies for X-Band radiation curves could be replicated within LEEDR, and therefore the associated path transmission and extinction values. These values can serve as a lookup table between brightness temperatures and attenuation for 10 GHz radiation, which provide useful metrics for determining expected transmission efficiencies.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENG-MS-21-M-037

DTIC Accession Number

AD1136074

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