RF TRANSMISSION THROUGH A PLASMA

System for microwave transmission through a plasma. Radio communication through a layer of ionized gas is achieved by initially adjusting the impedance of the antenna system to match free space conditions, thereafter applying the radio signal to the antenna system, monitoring the standing wave ratio to detect a change in the ionization level of the ionized gas surrounding the antenna and thereafter adjusting the impedance of the antenna system to match that of the ionized gas. The ionization level is continuously monitored and the impedance continuously changed to match the constantly changing plasma conditions. Increased signal transmission is achieved by increasing the power of the signal up to a predetermined level and adjusting the impedance of the antenna system to match the changed ionized gas conditions which result from the increased input power. The increase in input power may be C.W. or may take the form of a series of pulses with subsequent monitoring of the changed ionization level delayed a predetermined time period after each pulse in order to monitor the effects of the increased pulsed power levels. Additional enhancement of signal transmission is achieved by adjusting the phased array of the antenna system in response to vehicle orientation data and remote tracking station signal data. The strength of the required power level may also be dependent upon this data.