Abstract
Problem statement: Satellite operations at V-band in tropical and equatorial regions are constrained as a result of attenuation from rain. Approach: Statistics for 20 consecutive months of V-band terrestrial link signal attenuation measurements in Malaysia were presented in this analysis. Such information was considered very pertinent for Earth-space communication link design and can be used for initial groundwork plan for the engineers as well as researchers. Results: The measured statistics were then fittingly scaled up to fit Earth-satellite link. The statistics were then broken down to examine diurnal variations. Characteristics of rain events such as fade duration and inter-fade interval were presented. Conclusion/Recommendations: It is essential to identify such characteristics for the design and implementation of future fade countermeasure techniques on satellite links.
Highlights
The high attenuation experienced in these areas is caused by significantly higher rainfall rates compared to other parts of the world
The databases made available to the research from a measurement campaign in Malaysia provide invaluable opportunities to examine the V-band propagation characteristics in the tropical region
Since the interval between fades of a given level can be calculated as the inter fade duration, that is the complement of the fade duration, the average inter-fade interval can be found
Summary
The high attenuation experienced in these areas is caused by significantly higher rainfall rates compared to other parts of the world. Due to the intensification in the use of frequency spectrum, new and existing satellite operators in the tropics may soon have no other alternative but to progress up to frequencies as high as the V-band (Brussaard and Watson, 1995). The effects of rainfall on satellite signals at such high frequencies in the tropical region have not yet been fully detailed. The databases made available to the research from a measurement campaign in Malaysia provide invaluable opportunities to examine the V-band propagation characteristics in the tropical region. Measurements acquired from a microwave link establishment should be able to offer some initial impressions of the V-band link’s characteristics in the absence of an actual satellite-Earth link. The information is deemed very critical for future Earth space communication link design and can be exploited as preliminary groundwork plan for the researchers as well as engineers
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