Electromagnetic plane wave scattering from building surfaces

Abstract

Purpose

To provide a detailed investigation about methods commonly used for the computation of high‐frequency electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of obstacles that can reflect or diffract them. This is useful to create an elementary block that can be used to evaluate with a high accuracy the propagation of high‐frequency electromagnetic waves in real urban environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on a realistic application of the asymptotic theory of the uniform theory of diffraction. Therefore, the effect of material roughness and its electromagnetic properties on the reflection are taken into account.

Findings

Provides information about the mechanisms involved in electromagnetic field propagation in urban environment, and the relative importance of each one.

Research limitations/implications

In urban environment the buildings obviously have finite dimensions. The diffraction equations examined in the paper are strictly valid only in the case of infinite wedges; therefore, the behaviour of real building edges has not been taken rigorously into account.

Practical implications

A source of information for researchers interested in the development of a simulator for the electromagnetic propagation in urban environment.

Originality/value

This paper is aimed at providing to researchers, in a more comprehensive way, all information needed for the study of electromagnetic propagation in an environment containing many close scatterers.

Citation

Delfino, F., Girdinio, P., Minervini, L. and Nervi, M. (2006), "Electromagnetic plane wave scattering from building surfaces", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 1007-1018. https://doi.org/10.1108/03321640610684132