Rain precipitation in terrestrial and satellite radio links

Abstract

This paper covers unavailability of terrestrial and satellite line-of-sight radio links due to rain. To evaluate the rain effects over communication system, it is essential to know the temporal and spatial evolution of rainfall rate. Longterm 1-min average rain-rate characteristics necessary for the design of microwave radio links are determined for central Poland. 1-min rain rate distributions are presented. It also describes comparison results of predicted attenuation obtained from ITU-R formula and empirical data at frequency bands 11 GHz and 18 GHz and satellite 12 GHz. The National Institute of Telecommunications stores 11-year long rain intensity characteristics (1985–1996), based on data derived on 15.4 km long experimental path. In this paper chosen experimental data are presented.

Keywords

• satellite and line-of-sight radio links
• propagation
• rain fading