A New Theoretical Approach of Wavelet-Based Multifractal Characterization of HF Channel Scattering Function: Theoretical and Physical Interpretations

In high-frequency (HF) ionospheric communications, the dynamic nature of the high-latitude ionosphere creates small-scale ionospheric irregularities capable of scattering HF radio waves. In addition, there are large-scale irregularities which may be identified using some specific methods. However, small-scale irregularities cannot be easily identified and characterized. The aim of this paper is to introduce a new wavelet-based multifractal dimension mapping approach for the identification and the quantification of the small-scale irregularities. Numerical results show the improvement of the proposed methods compared to those obtained by the classical Legendre multifractal analysis. In our analysis, we have used the scattering function as a tool for the HF channel characterization. Our analysis deals with experimental scattering functions measured during the solar eclipse on August 11, 1999.