A MATLAB-based two-dimensional parabolic equation radiowave propagation package

Abstract

This article introduces a simple MATLAB radiowave propagation package, SSPE_GUI, for the visualization of EM propagation over non-flat terrain through an inhomogeneous atmosphere, for waves radiated by a horizontally oriented antenna over the ground. The package can be used as an engineering tool to test the effects of various user-specified longitudinal terrain profiles and refractivity variations, as well as guiding and anti-guiding conditions on radiowave propagation, especially for GSM rural coverage planning. It can also be used as an educational aid (virtual tool) in EM lectures, for example, in antennas and propagation, wireless communication, etc.