Analysis of Troposcatter Propagation Based on Measured AIS Data

Atmospheric duct and tropospheric scattering are the two main ways for AIS (Automatic Identification System)signals to achieve trans-horizon propagation. This paper conducts a correlation analysis of tropospheric scattering propagation using measured AIS data for the first time. By utilizing the synchronously collected AIS reception data and the turbulence structure constant data that characterizes the intensity of the tropospheric scattering environment, an AIS message index is defined to analyze the correlation between the AIS message index within the distance range of 132.3~192.6 km and the turbulence structure constant. The results show that there is a strong correlation between the two, with a correlation coefficient of up to 0.8835. Meanwhile, a linear expression of the two is obtained through fitting, and the correlation between AIS reception data and the marine turbulence structure constant is established. This can form a new monitoring method for the marine tropospheric scattering environment based on measured AIS data.