Cloud attenuation and cloud noise temperature over some Indian eastern stations for satellite communication

Abstract

In this paper, cloud characteristics in relation to radio wave propagation over some selected locations in different geographical region in eastern India have been presented. It is seen that low cloud occurrence over Patna, Bhubaneswar and Ranchi is quite significant. The performance of radio systems deteriorates due to cloud attenuation as well as due to cloud noise temperature. Based on the cloud attenuation results, the total atmospheric noise temperature including the noise contribution from cloud for different months during different times for different cloud thicknesses at 10 GHz, 18 GHz, 32 GHz, 44 GHz and 70 GHz has been determined for the aforesaid stations. The results, presented here are useful to design future earth- space communication links over these aforesaid locations in India.