Rainfall’s Symphony: Understanding Its Influence on Communication Systems in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the significant issue of rain-induced signal attenuation in satellite communication, specifically focusing on television receive-only (TVRO) stations operating in the Ku band across diverse Nigerian locations. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset of point rain rate distribution and the ITU rain attenuation model, the study comprehensively assesses how rainfall impacts signal quality. The findings highlight that southern regions consistently display high decibel (dB) values, indicating increased susceptibility to signal disruptions during heavy rainfall, while a comparative analysis between two key satellites, EUTELSAT 36B and INTELSAT 20, consistently favors the former in terms of signal resilience during adverse weather conditions. In contrast, northern regions generally exhibit lower dB values, suggesting a higher degree of signal resilience during rainfall events. These insights underscore the importance of considering location-specific and satellite-specific factors when designing satellite communication systems, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure and strategic satellite selection to mitigate the effects of rain-induced attenuation. This study provides valuable guidance to engineers and service providers, enabling them to make informed decisions to minimize signal disruptions and enhance overall network reliability, particularly in regions susceptible to rain-induced attenuation.