Comparison of Different Formulations to Compute the Ground Return Parameters in the Analysis of High-Frequency Pulse Propagation Along a Wire Above a Lossy Ground

The propagation characteristics along a single-conductor line above a lossy ground are assessed considering different formulations to compute the ground correction terms in the per-unit-length line parameters. It is shown that the often-used Sunde’s formulation may overestimate the attenuation experienced by a propagating signal, depending on its frequency content. More complete formulations, such as that of Pettersson, that consistently include ground corrections on longitudinal and transverse line parameters, are recommended when dealing with very high frequency transients.