Diurnal variations in rain attenuation on Ku band earth–space paths

This paper presents analytical results of the diurnal variations in Ku band rain attenuation along earth–space paths at four locations in Southeast Asia and proposes a new model that can predict rain fade in a short period of every 2 h daily. Data from four radiometers and four rain gauges over a 3 year period were analysed to obtain the characteristics of diurnal variations in rain attenuation and rainfall as well as cumulative attenuation distributions in every 2 h interval. The results of this analysis are applied to develop an intensive prediction model using the knowledge of rainfall and attenuation statistics. This model is tested with the measured data and is found to be useful for the design of a more efficient Ku band satellite system especially between 99 per cent and 99·9 per cent link availability in an area of heavy rainfall. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.