| Summary: | Thesis (M.Eng.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. Engineering and Applied Science Bibliography: leaves [131]-135. An investigation of multipath communication signals with applications to a marine environment is conducted by examining a typical L-Band satellite-to-ship communication system. In order that this investigation be performed, a numerical stochastic maritime multipath model is constructed. This model has the ability to calculate the average power contained in a multipath communication signal which is reflected off the ocean surface and received by a ship mounted antenna. This allows the model to provide signal-to-noise ratios as well as signal fade characteristics for different degrees of sea surface roughness as well as a variety of receiving antenna patterns. By comparing the results obtained with the stochastic multipath model to those from other models as well as various measurement campaigns, the stochastic maritime multipath model is shown to be a valid and useful tool that can be used in multipath research. Some of the research carried out in this thesis includes an investigation of how various parameters affect the multipath phenomenon. These parameters include sea roughness, elevation angle, antenna position aboard the vessel, and antenna directivity. It was discovered that it may be possible to decrease the amount of multipath fading experienced by a ship mounted receiving system by locating an optimal antenna position aboard the vessel and constructing a low cost antenna stabilization platform that could allow the use of a fairly directive antenna. Suggestions for the continuation of the research reported here are also presented.
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