Applications of Rain Field Modeling in Radio Communications

Abstract

The spatio‐temporal variability of rain fields is becoming increasingly important to radio engineers due to the proliferation of radio systems operating at frequencies above 10 GHz, which are badly attenuated by rain, clouds, and atmospheric gases. New radio systems can be designed to take advantage of the space‐time inhomogeneity of rain fields to improve system availability and make more efficient use of the radio spectrum. However, this requires in‐depth knowledge of the spatio‐temporal structure of the rain fields at fine scale time and space resolutions of the order of seconds and hundreds of meters. This knowledge is best derived from measured rain field data, but often measurements at appropriate resolution are not available. Hence we turn to accurately synthesized rain fields to determine the feasibility and efficient operation of these systems. An overview of the use of rain field modeling for radio system design and operation is presented, building on the literature and models created by meteorologists and hydrologists. It focuses on some of the specific engineering issues associated with this topic, and highlights areas where multidisciplinary collaboration would be appropriate and useful.