A Hybrid CI–MTR–PE Path Loss Model for Maritime Evaporation-Duct Propagation
Abstract
Accurate modeling of maritime radio propagation remains challenging due to the complex interplay between short-range coherent interference and long-range atmospheric ducting effects. This letter proposes a physics-guided hybrid CI–MTR–PE model that integrates a close-in (CI) path loss formulation, a modified two-ray (MTR) interference core, and a parabolic equation (PE)-based environmental correction. A cosine-based weighting function enables a smooth transition from coherent MTR-dominated propagation to PE-dominated loss with increasing distance. Using 5.8 GHz shore-to-ship measurements, the proposed model achieves an RMSE of 2.68 dB, improving by 1.3 dB over the dual-slope CI–MTR model and by 2.8 dB over the standalone PE prediction, while retaining clear physical interpretability and modest complexity.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Radio Wave Propagation Studies
Precipitation Measurement and Analysis
Power Line Communications and Noise
Publication details
- Journal / source
- IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters
- Publisher
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 2863–2867
- Publication date
- 14 May 2026