Ku-Band scintillation over Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Relationship between scintillation intensity (σ χ ) and peak-to-peak amplitude (χ pp) is important for mitigating scintillation effects on any communication link. This study employs linear, logarithmic and polynomial functions for fitting σ χ and χ pp in order to determine the best model for describing the variation of the former with the latter. It also examines the frequency of occurrence of scintillation intensity and the suitable probability density function for characterizing its distribution. Data used spanned 24 months, and were obtained from measurement of EUTELSAT W4/W7 satellite beacons on 12.245 GHz frequency, 1 s integration time and 53° elevation angle, at the Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Akure (07°17′N, 005°18′E, 358 m) Nigeria. Results show that logarithmic function performed best in modelling χ pp from σ χ as indicated by high coefficient of determination and minimal root mean sqaure error values. Strong scintillation events (σ χ  > 0.5) were also found to occur less frequently as sample interval increased. Lastly, lognornal, gamma and generalised extreme value (GEV) models were found suitable for describing σ χ distribution.