Funkwege

Funkwege (sing. Funkweg) is a German term used in telecommunications to denote the routes by which radio waves propagate from a transmitter to a receiver. The concept is central to understanding signal strength, quality, and reliability, and it encompasses the various propagation paths that may connect the two ends under given conditions.

The main Funkwege include direct line-of-sight paths, ground wave paths, and higher-order paths produced by reflections, diffractions and scattering from terrain, buildings, water surfaces and atmospheric layers. In the high-frequency (HF) region, sky-wave propagation via ionospheric reflection creates additional Funkwege over longer distances; at VHF and higher frequencies, multipath components from terrain and structures become prominent. The available Funkwege depend on frequency, distance, terrain, climate and time of day.

In practice, Funkweg analysis supports link-budget calculations, interference assessment and network design. Propagation models, measurements and simulations—ranging from empirical regional models to ray-tracing approaches—are used to identify dominant Funkwege, estimate path losses and predict fading behavior. The term appears in German-language textbooks, standards and engineering documents dealing with radio communication, broadcasting, radar and navigation systems.

Note: In English-language contexts, the term is usually translated as "propagation paths" or "radio paths." See also radio propagation, link budget, ray tracing, and multipath propagation.