Line-of-sight propagation (2024)

Line-of-Sight (LoS) propagation is a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation in which two stations can only transmit and receive data signals when they’re in direct view of each other with no obstacles in between. Satellite and microwave transmission are two common examples of LoS communication. All radio waves with a frequency greater than 2 MHz have an LoS characteristic.

This type of propagation would be fine if the earth were flat. However, it is round, meaning that high-frequency waves being propagated from a transmitter in a straight line would eventually become tangential to the earth's curved surface, causing them to shoot into space. As a result, a station positioned beyond the distance at which the signal just touches the earth’s surface (i.e., becomes tangential) would not be able to receive this transmission.

LoS propagation will only work if a receiver is positioned within the circular region surrounding the transmitter, whose radius needs to be equal to the signal’s tangential distance. The higher up the transmitter is, the further out the LoS propagation distance will be. This is why TV transmission antennas are positioned so high up on a TV tower. In most cases, these towers are put on a hill to give signals a larger coverage area.

To overcome the limitations of LoS propagation brought about by the earth’s curvature, as well as geographical obstacles that may get in the way of transmission, additional technologies and a combination of different effects are usually incorporated. For instance, mobile phone signal transmission adopts a slight variation of LoS by integrating local repeaters to boost the signal, multipath reflection, rapid handoff, and diffraction.

The most common application of Line-of-Sight propagation in its most basic form is in Radar technology. The device transmits a radio pulse towards an object and waits for the echo to return. The distance of the object is obtained by calculating the time it took for the echo to return and the radio wave's speed. This value is then divided by two to get how far out the object is.

Line-of-sight propagation (2024)

FAQs

Line-of-sight propagation? ›

Line-of-Sight (LoS) propagation is a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation in which two stations can only transmit and receive data signals when they're in direct view of each other with no obstacles in between. Satellite and microwave transmission are two common examples of LoS communication.

What are the advantages of line of sight propagation? ›

The advantage of line-of-sight propagation is its ability to provide a strong, reliable signal over short distances. However, the disadvantage is that obstacles such as buildings, trees, or hills can block the signal, limiting its range.

What is the difference between ground propagation and line of sight propagation? ›

In radio transmission, the “ground wave” or “surface wave” is a component of transmission that travels (propagates) along the curved surface of the earth,and is bent gradually as it propagates. “Line of sight” propagation is bounced back and forth between the ground and the ionosphere.

What is line of sight process? ›

Line of sight (LOS) is the imaginary line between an observer and the target. In communication, line of sight is the direct path from a transmitter to the receiver and the obstructions that may fall in that path. A clear line of sight is important to high-speed communication.

What is the line of sight method? ›

The AMF “line of sight” method is a non-mnemonic, non-score-based method of airway assessment wherein the airway manager examines the airway along the line of sight as it moves over the airway and notes down all the variations from the normal.

How does line of sight propagation work? ›

Line-of-Sight (LoS) propagation is a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation in which two stations can only transmit and receive data signals when they're in direct view of each other with no obstacles in between. Satellite and microwave transmission are two common examples of LoS communication.

What would line of sight propagation mainly involve? ›

Line-of-sight propagation is a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation or acoustic wave propagation which means waves can only travel in a direct visual path from the source to the receiver without obstacles. Electromagnetic transmission includes light emissions traveling in a straight line.

How far is the line of sight propagation? ›

On the surface of the Earth, line of sight propagation is limited by the visual horizon to about 40 miles (64 km). This is the method used by cell phones, cordless phones, walkie-talkies, wireless networks, point-to-point microwave radio relay links, FM and television broadcasting and radar.

What is the formula for line of sight propagation? ›

In the space wave propagation of radio waves if the height of both the antennas is h and the radius of the earth is R, then the maximum line of sight distance is equal to the: 2Rh. 2 R h.

What are the disadvantages of ground wave propagation? ›

Disadvantages of Ground Wave Propagation

High-frequency waves cannot be transmitted as the energy losses are more because of the energy absorption in the earth's atmosphere.

What is the line of sight strategy? ›

Put simply, line of sight means that employees can see the connection between their goals and the organization's goals. The benefits are many – to ensure that employee's best efforts are helping achieve the organization's goals, as well as to help them know that the work they're doing matters.

How to identify the line of sight? ›

Imagine that you are standing on a football field and are about away from the ball. As you look down at the ball, imagine a diagonal line is formed from your eyes to the ball. This line is called your line of sight, or line drawn from the eye of an observer to the point in the object viewed by the observer.

What is the line of sight principle? ›

This directing of our sight in a specific direction is sometimes referred to as the line of sight. It is a rather simple principle: In order to view an object, you must sight along a line at that object; and when you do light will come from that object to your eye along the line of sight.

What is the formula for the line of sight? ›

Line of Sight Formula

The following equations can be used to calculate the line of sight and service range distance of an antenna. To calculate the line of sight, multiply the square root of the height by 3.57.

What is line of sight algorithm? ›

A line of sight algorithm is an important tool in determining visibility of target points from an observer point.

What is called a line of sight? ›

The line of sight, also known as visual axis or sightline (also sight line), is an imaginary line between a viewer/observer/spectator's eye(s) and a subject of interest, or their relative direction.

What are the advantages of line of sight? ›

Put simply, line of sight means that employees can see the connection between their goals and the organization's goals. The benefits are many – to ensure that employee's best efforts are helping achieve the organization's goals, as well as to help them know that the work they're doing matters.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this method of propagation? ›

Two advantages: i Large number of plants obtained in a short interval. ii Propagation of seedless plants is made possible. Two disadvantages: i No genetic variations so less adaptability to the environment. ii The disease of plants gets transferred to the offsprings.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of sky wave propagation? ›

Sky Wave Propagation Advantages
  • It supports propagation at large distances.
  • Loss of radio waves or debilitation is low due to atmospheric conditions.
  • The frequency range of operation is high.
  • It provides continuous support in different types of communication.
  • Sky wave propagation is a simple mode of propagation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of space wave propagation? ›

Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Wave Propagation
AdvantagesDisadvantages
Absorption of the space waves is almost negligible due to them being propagated at very high frequencies.Due to their straight path of propagation, the radius of the Earth becomes a limitation to their range.
1 more row
May 23, 2023

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