EFFECT OF CLIMATIC VARIATION ON SURFACE RADIO REFRACTIVITY IN SOME CITIES ACROSS NIGERIA

Abstract

In design of a radio communication networks, it is important to know the atmospheric radio refractive index because the meteorological conditions have a significant impact on radio wave propagation through the atmosphere hence, a knowledge of the spatial behaviour of the refractivity in the lower troposphere is essential for the design of UHF, VHF and SHF radio links, as well as for the evaluation of interference between terrestrial communication systems. This study investigates the implication of surface radio refractivity over eight meteorological stations spread across Nigeria. The surface data for the year, 2011 was collected from the Tropospheric Data Acquisition Network (TRODAN) stations and was used to compute the surface radio refractivity, Ns and the reduced - to - sea level values, No at hourly basis using the formulas recommended by The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and prepare contour maps of the surface refractivity over different climatic zones in Nigeria. The series of charts and contour maps presented in this study shows that the surface refractivity generally has higher value during rainy season than dry season at all location studied. The results also show that the value of surface refractivity increases from arid region in the north to the coastal area in south.