ASSESSMENT OF TROPOSPHERIC DUCT CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR MICROWAVE SIGNAL PROPAGATION OVER PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA

Authors

  • D.O. Adeosun Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria Author
  • G.A. Àlàgbé Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria Author
  • K.O. Suleman Department of Physics, Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria Author
  • T.G. Ibrahim Research and Doctoral College University of Greater Manchester, City of Manchester, UK. Author
  • T.G. Ibrahim Research and Doctoral College University of Greater Manchester, City of Manchester, UK. Author

Keywords:

Tropospheric Duct, Microwave propagation, Coastal region, Ducting

Abstract

Complexity and non-linear trend in the internal activities of the troposphere has been a great factor influencing the 
transmission and receiving of good quality signal globally. The formation of Duct is the most severe and deviation 
from the standard propagation conditions which occurs majorly in coastal and maritime areas. The tropospheric duct 
significantly affects the design and performance of communication system and can also enhance signal to travel 
beyond radio horizon which can lead to unexpected interference. Consequently, in this study, we focused on how 
factors like temperature, humidity, and pressure influence radio refractivity and the formation of tropospheric ducts 
at different heights (200 m and 300 m) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, using ten years (2015-2024) of meteorological data 
from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-5 reanalysis. The analysis of the 
result showed that modified refractivity remains consistently high throughout the year with the value above 330 N
unit at both altitudes  

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Published

2026-09-10

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): IJARMS (Vol5 No2 DECEMBER 2025)

Section

Articles