volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

Rain attenuation is one of the most crucial factors to be considered in the link budget estimation for microwave satellite communication systems, operating at frequencies above 10 GHz. This paper presents a mathematical model for converting terrestrial rain attenuation data to be used for satellite applications at Ku-band. In the proposed technique, the ITU-R P 618-9, together with a combination of ITU-R P 530-12 and the revised Moupfouma model have been adopted for satellite and terrestrial rain attenuation predictions, respectively. The model has been used for transforming the measured rain attenuation data of some DIGI MINI-LINKS operating at 15 GHz in Malaysia, to be used for MEASAT 2 applications. It was found that the model predictions are fairly reasonable when compared with direct beacon measurements in Malaysia and similar tropical locations. The model will provide a relatively accurate method for transforming the measured terrestrial rain attenuation to be used for satellite applications; and therefore substantially reduce the cost of implementing Earth-satellite links in some tropical regions that have sufficient rain attenuation data for the terrestrial links.

1. Freeman, R. L., Radio System Design for Telecommunication, 3rd Ed., A Wiley Interscience Publication, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2007.
doi:10.1002/0470050446

2. Ojo, J. S., M. O. Ajewole, and S. K. Sarkar, "Rain rate and rain attenuation prediction for satellite communication in Ku and Ka bands over nigeria," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 5, 207-223, 2008.
doi:10.2528/PIERB08021201

3. Moupfouma, F. and L. Martin, "Modelling of the rainfall rate cumulative distribution for the design of satellite and terrestrial communication systems," Int. J. of Satellite Comm., Vol. 13, No. 2, 105-115, 1995.
doi:10.1002/sat.4600130203

4. Ajayi, G. O., "Some aspects of tropical rainfall and their effect on microwave propagation," International Journal of Satellite Communications, Vol. 8, No. 3, 163-172, May--June 1990.
doi:10.1002/sat.4600080308

5. UI Islam, M. R., T. B. A. Rahman, S. K. B. A. Rahim, K. F. Al-tabatbaie, and A. Y. Abdulrahman, "Fade margins prediction for broadband fixed wireless access (BFWA) from measurements in tropics," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 11, 199-212, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIERC09103006

6. Crane, R. K., "Rain attenuation models: Attenuation by clouds and rain," Propagation Handbook for Wireless Communication System, 225-280, CRC Press, USA, 2003.

7. Ramachandran, V. and V. Kumar, "Invariance of accumulation time factor of ku-band signals in the tropics," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 19, No. 11, 1501-1509, 2005.
doi:10.1163/156939305775701868

8. Propagation data and prediction methods required for the design of terrestrial line-of-sight systems, Recommendation ITU-R P.530-12, ITU-R P Sers., February 2007.

10. Moupfouma, F., "Electromagnetic waves attenuation due to rain: A prediction model for terrestrial or L.O.S SHF and EHF radio communication," J. Infrared Milli Terahz Waves, Vol. 30, 622-632, 2009.
doi:10.1007/s10762-009-9481-y

11. Singliar, R. and J. Bito, "Comparison of satellite and terrestrial rain attenuation statistics based on terrestrial measurement," ESA Propagation Workshop, Noordwiik, Netherlands, November 2005.

12. Rain height model for prediction methods, Recommendation ITU-R P.839-3, ITU-R P Sers., Int. Telecomm. Union, Geneva, 2001.

13. Chebil, J. and T. A. Rahman, "Development of 1 min rain rate contour maps for microwave applications in Malaysia peninsula," Electronics Letts., Vol. 35, 1712-1774, 1999.

14. Final Reports on Rain Attenuation Studies for Communication Systems Operating in Tropical Regions, Wireless Communication Research Laboratory, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, October 31, 2000.

15. Specific attenuation model for rain for use in prediction methods, Recommendation ITU-R P.838-3, ITU-R P Sers., March 2005.

16. Matricciani, E. and A. Pawlina Botani, "Rain cell size statistics inferred from long term point rain rate: Model and result," Proc. Third Ka Band Utilization Conf., 299-304, Sorrento, Italy, September 15--18, 1997.

17. Mandeep, J. S. and J. E. Allnutt, "Rain attenuation predictions at ku-band in south-east Asian countries," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 76, 65-74, 2007.
doi:10.2528/PIER07062605

18. Lee, Y. H., J. X. Yeo, and J. T. Ong, "Rain attenuation on satellite to ground link for beacon signal," 27th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, Singapore, 2009.

19. Singliar, R., J. Bitó, J. Din, and A. R. Tharek, "Comparison of predicted attenuation of satellite rain attenuation distribution n Malaysia and Hungary," Proceedings of the 16th International Czech-Slovakia Scientific Conference Radioelektronika, 246-249, Brastislava, Solak Republic, April 25--26, 2006.

20. Acquisition, presentation and analysis of data in studies of tropospheric propagation, Recommendation ITU-R P.311-13, ITU-R P Sers., October 2009.

21. Mandeep, J. S., N. Y. Yann, and S. I. S. Hassan, "Case study of the rain attenuation at Ka band," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 22, 1517-1525, 2008.
doi:10.1163/156939308786390012

Dr. Amuda Yusuf Abdulrahman

Professor Tharek Bin Abdul Rahman

Dr. Sharul Kamal Bin Abd Rahim

Mr. Md. Rafi Ul Islam