| Open-loop pointing and closed-loop tracking methods can both be used to direct an antenna towards a target. Each method has certain characteristics that render it more or less suitable for a given application. This paper discusses anomalous propagation and multipath fading, which must be considered when comparing the two methods for use with low elevation angle operations. This analysis leads to a method of dividing a spatial region into areas of reliable and unreliable communications. A method for quantifying statistical pointing error due to anomalous propagation is also presented. |