The Arctic soils dielectric characteristics

The state of the underlying surface has a noticeable effect on the process of emission and propagation of radio waves. The state of the underlying surface is dependent on the value of the complex dielectric permittivity. Usually, the underlying surface is understood as soil or ground medium. The Dobson model is recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for calculating the dielectric permittivity of moist soils over a wide frequency range. However, this model was developed based on experimental data obtained at frequencies above 1 GHz for soils of the temperate climatic zone. This paper presents the results of measuring the complex dielectric permittivity of the Arctic region soils sample at the frequency range from 1 MHz to 8 GHz. Also, we compared the dielectric permittivity data measured in laboratory conditions and calculated by the Dobson model. It was found that the Arctic soil dielectric permittivity data measured under laboratory conditions and calculated using the Dobson model differ markedly from each other, which indicates the impossibility of using the Dobson model for calculating soil dielectric permittivity of the Arctic region. The data obtained in the laboratories case may be used to estimate the directional characteristics of near-surface emissivity systems, as well as of the ground wave propagation prediction in the Arctic region.