Multiple knife-edge diffraction of microwaves

The paper discusses a simplified solution to the problem of multiple diffraction of microwaves over knife-edge obstacles. The path loss is obtained directly and quickly by alignment of distances and heights, adequately selected from a path profile. A theoretical study shows good agreement between the simplified approach and a complete mathematical analysis made by G. Millington in 1962. When the diffraction loss reaches a maximum which might be in excess of 50 dB, the approximate value exceeds the theoretical one by 2 to 5 dB. Predictions are in good agreement, too, with the results of experiments conducted both in France and in the United States. Out of ten examples reported in the paper, nine indicate an error equal or smaller than 3 dB.