Observations of radio wave phase characteristics on a high-frequency auroral path

Abstract

Experimental observations of phase perturbations to continuous wave and pulse signals, over short time periods, have been carried out on a high-frequency auroral path. Statistics on phase perturbations occurring in time intervals of one to twent y milliseconds were obtained for t he continuous wave signals. Pulse-to-pulse phase stability measurements were made, using one-millisecond pulses with a pulse repetition rate of 250 pulses per second. The phase of corresponding parts of successive pulses were compared continuously, and then t he integrated values of phase differences during one-millisecond pulse periods were deter mined. Comparisons of statistics of phase perturbations for continuous wave signals and one-millisecond pulse signals indicate no significant differences for approximately four millisecond sampli ng intervals and comparable fading speeds on t his auroral path.