A Predictive Model for Attenuation and Phase Rotation in Mono- and Polydisperse Dusty Media at MW and mm-Wave Bands

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical framework for predicting the attenuation and phase rotation of electromagnetic waves propagating in dusty storm environments. A mathematical model based on Rayleigh scattering theory and forward-scattering amplitude is developed for both monodisperse media (uniform particle-size distribution) and polydisperse media (exponential particle-size distribution). The model is used to evaluate the differential attenuation and phase shift of electromagnetic waves while explicitly accounting for non-spherical dust particles with different aspect ratios.

Published values of the dielectric constant and dust density in Libya are incorporated into the calculations across the X-, Ka-, V-, and E-bands. In addition, the study introduces an expression relating visibility to dust concentration and integrates it into the proposed models through visibility and frequency dependencies. Simulation results show strong agreement with selected published data. The results indicate noticeable differences in attenuation and phase behavior between mono- and polydisperse dry-dust media. These effects become more pronounced under severe visibility conditions or at shorter wavelengths, with the polydisperse medium exhibiting stronger impacts.