Correlation Between HF Interference at Low and High Elevation Angle

Abstract

Interference from other users in the High Frequency (HF) spectrum (3–30 MHz) is an established consequence as a result of the long distance propagation of HF signals and the high level of the HF spectrum usage on a global scale. One crucial factor affecting HF interference conditions is the angle of arrival of HF signals which depends on antenna radiation pattern characteristics. In this study we perform an analysis based on an extended dataset of 280 days of electric field measurements within an interval of more than a year (Jan 2021-Feb 2022) collected at low and high incident elevation angles by a R&S HE016 antenna installed in Nicosia, Cyprus. This extended dataset enables the examination of the correlation of signals received by these two different antenna components and how this correlation varies as a function of frequency across the HF spectrum. The ultimate aim is to indicate the possible benefit from the possible introduction of elevation angle as a model parameter to existing HF interference model formulations in order to better characterize the HF interference environment over the eastern Mediterranean region.