A Radar Path Loss Prediction Method for Nearshore Wind Farm Environments

Abstract

To address the challenge of predicting radar signal path loss in complex nearshore wind farm environments, this letter proposes a hybrid method combining the pseudo-3D parabolic equation and Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction theory. The pseudo-3D parabolic equation method is used to compute environmental path loss by incorporating complex geographical and meteorological conditions into the electromagnetic model. To account for the additional diffraction effects introduced by wind turbines, a supplementary model based on Fresnel–Kirchhoff diffraction theory is integrated. This combined approach enables accurate and comprehensive path loss prediction across the entire wind farm environment. To validate the proposed method, a numerical example under a simplified scenario was conducted and compared with results from the 3D parabolic equation method. The proposed method significantly improved computational efficiency while maintaining a root mean square error below 0.63 dB, demonstrating its high efficiency and accuracy. Further numerical simulations were conducted in a nearshore environment using digital maps, aiming to analyze the impact of wind farms on radio wave propagation from shore-based radar. The results indicate the presence of a pronounced fan-shaped affected zone behind the wind farm, within which the environmental path loss exhibits significant spatial nonuniformity.