Radio Relaying by Reflection from the Sun

The possibility of using radio reflection from the sun to provide a communication link supplementing that using moon reflections is investigated analytically. Reflection and absorption of an incident signal in the solar atmosphere, and thermal noise radiated by the sun, are considered together with transmitter capabilities to find the operating frequency giving optimum signal-to-noise ratio. The design principles for a receiver which can separate the signal from the noise are indicated. Finally, achievable signaling rates and reliability are estimated.