Evaluation of Two-Part rain attenuation model at Ku-band for tropical and equatorial regions

Abstract

Abstract The current ITU rain attenuation model that is used in the design of satellite-earth communication link was derived using data collected predominantly from temperate regions and has limitations when applied to tropical and equatorial regions that are characterized by heavy rainfall. Elevation and frequency scaling was applied to the rain attenuation data obtained from tropical and equatorial regions to validate the linear relationship for rain rates above 90 mm/h in the TPRA model. Analysis of the data from these regions also confirms the linear relationship between the rain attenuation and rain rates above 90 mm/h. The TPRA model can be considered as an alternative model for a reliable satellite-earth link for use in the tropical and equatorial regions.