An X Band Radio Channel Model for Propagation Through the Solar Corona

Abstract

Spacecraft communication systems operating at X band are strongly affected when the propagation path passes close to the Sun (which can be characterized by the Sun-Earth-Probe, SEP, angle). In this paper, a channel model that can generate a time series of signal amplitude and phase, and hence the signal in-phase and quadrature values, is presented. For X band, the channel model reproduces the observations well for SEP > 0.8°. While the model has not been experimentally validated at SEP angles below 0.8°, the behavior is consistent with measurements reported in the literature and is therefore likely to be suitable for use, with caution, in that region too. ©2018. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.