Question:
Two towers on top of two hills are 40 km apart. The line joining them passes 50 m above a hill halfway between the towers. What is the longest wavelength of
radio waves, which can be sent between the towers without appreciable diffraction effects?
Solution:
Distance between the towers = 40 km
Height of the line joining the hills, d = 50 m
The radial spread of the radio waves must not exceed 50 m
Aperture a = d = 50 m
The hill is located halfway between the towers. Therefore, Fresnel’s distance is Zp = 20 km
Fresnel’s distance can be given by the equation, Zp = a2/λ
λ = a2/Zp
= (50)2/(20 x 103)
= 250/20 = 12.5 x 10-3 m = 12.5 cm