11.1.5 Are there Ecological or Environmental Problems due to Higher Latitudes? The following potential problems have been identified: - Deflection of the RF-beam by the atmosphere and the ionosphere - Depolarisation of the RF-beam by the atmosphere and the ionosphere - Attenuation of the RF-beam by the atmosphere and the ionosphere - Impacts of the RF-beam on the atmosphere and the ionosphere - Heating of the atmosphere by the rectenna waste heat - Radio frequency disturbances by the microwave beam II.1.5.1 Deflection of the RF-Beam by the Atmosphere and the Ionosphere The special literature reports, that even under worst conditions, the overall deflection by certain layers would remain less than 100 meters. Since this literature only considers the potential rectennas in the USA, the latitude is limited to a maximum of 50° N. We do not believe, that deflections will increase dramatically with latitudes up to 60° N. Even if the deposition is in the order of 500 m, the retrodirective beam steering, if such a control system will be selected for the power transmission, would reduce it to zero (compare with section 1.2.3.3). So we do not expect ecological or environmental effects by deflection due to the higher rectenna latitude necessary for northern European countries. II.1.5.2 Depolarisation of the RF-Beam by the Atmosphere and Ionosphere Since this potential depolarisation, caused by Faraday rotation of the microwave beam, might reduce the rectifying efficiency, this effect could slightly raise the thermal losses of the rectenna. Faraday rotation is expected to become severe at the times of
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==