Paraxial radio-wave propagation over a ridge or valley

The attenuation function for radio waves propagating paraxially over a two-segment piecewise linear profile is derived, using path integration. It is shown that the path integral model yields results for an infinite conducting wedge, which are continuous across the shadow boundary. These results also agree with those obtained using a UTD wedge diffraction coefficient. An engineering extension for a finite-conductivity, rough-surface wedge is also presented. This finite conductivity model is then applied as an approximation to a practical irregular terrain to predict path loss for an experimental radio link, and the computations are compared with measurements