Radio Channel Modelling for VHF System Operating in the Offshore Wind Farms Propagation Environment

Abstract

This article discusses several aspects related to the modeling of the radio channel in the wind farm propagation environment. The first part of the article is filled with the analysis of the ITU-R BT.1893-1 model, which—as will be shown—is also applicable to systems operating in the VHF and UHF bands. The conducted measurement campaign makes it possible to model a radio channel for VHF operating systems in the wind farm propagation environment. Thanks to the obtained results, the authors propose the VHF radio channel model for that environment. Using the software implementation of this model, the authors carry out a detailed simulation analysis of the impact of wind turbines on radio systems operating in the VHF band. The main motivation for this work is the growing importance of the offshore wind energy in general, numerous investments in that area in Poland, and the lack of existing mathematical models regarding the wind farms’ impact on the VHF systems. The VHF band is of special interest here, as this part of the spectrum is utilized by numerous marine administration and border protection radio systems, which can be adversely affected by the wind turbines (due to interference and/or radio shadowing).

Modeling Wind Turbines to Assess Impact of Offshore Wind Farms on Maritime X- and S-band Radars

“…It should be emphasized that the analysis of the impact that offshore wind farms exert on radiocommunication systems is a very complex and multidimensional issue. In addition to their influence on maritime radar installations, the impact on systems operating in the VHF and UHF bands [4], as well as communication based on MF/HF frequencies, should be considered. In future work, the authors will analyze the impact that the presence of OWFs exerts on MF/HF systems which are another important component improving safety at sea.…”

“…The said recommendation was originally dedicated to digital television systems operating in the UHF band (300-3000 MHz). The applicability of this recommendation was expanded in the following years by the authors [3], [4]. On the other hand, a radar-based theory regarding the so-called radar cross section (RCS) of a wind turbine has been known for many years now.…”