Rain attenuation and performance deterioration of a communication link at Ka band over Indian tropical eastern region

Abstract

Experimentally measured values of radiowave attenuation due to rains in Ka band are not available over the Indian subcontinent. In this paper an attempt has been made to present measured values of attenuation at 18 GHz taken during rainy conditions. Using rapid response rain gauge having integration time 10 s, simultaneous rain intensity measurements

were carried out. The communication link operating at 18 GHz was monitored in eastern India and the signal intensity measured. The deterioration of the link in relation to measured signal level during rainy periods has also been discussed. Such types of measured values are useful to design future communication links in Ka band (17.3-31 GHz) over India.