Hybrid T-matrix modeling of electromagnetic scattering from simplified leaf structures

Abstract

Foliage obstacles can be found in many radiowave propagation environments. The interaction of the propagating radiowaves with these foliage obstacles may degrade the performance of wireless communications systems. The proper understanding of the interaction of the radiowaves with these foliage obstacles is necessary to ensure the performance of these wireless systems. In this work, the scattering from the foliage elements such as leaves and branches are modelled using a hybrid T-Matrix. The T-Matrix describes the scattering of an arbitrary object in terms of the spherical wave expansion coefficients of the incident and scattered waves. This scattering representation of the object is only dependent on the dielectric properties and geometry and the scatterer. The spherical wave coefficients of the incident and scattered waves and the T-matrix are related by Equation (1), where q is the vector of incident spherical wave coefficients, b is the vector of scattered spherical wave coefficients, and T is the matrix of coefficients relating the incident and scattered wave coefficients.