Finite-Difference Solution of the Parabolic Equation Under Horizontal Polar Coordinates

Abstract

The parabolic equation method has been widely used in the contexts of radar, remote sensing, and radio frequency planning, among other fields. It is an approximate means of solving wave propagation problems, and it has high computational efficiency compared to the Helmholtz full-wave equation. In this study, we derive the finite difference format with polar coordinates. By using this formula, the point source (i.e., line source) wave propagation problem can be solved. While considering various radio wave propagation environments, we make use of a scale model. In a series of experiments, we compare measurement results to calculations, then verify the feasibility and accuracy of the parabolic equation method in predicting the horizontal diffraction loss in the process of wave propagation.