Frequency scaling of slant‐path atmospheric attenuation in the absence of rain for millimeter‐wave links

• Published in: Radio science 2016-11, Vol.51 (11), p.1732-1744
• Main Authors: Lucas‐Vegas, María José, Riera, José Manuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmosphere; Atmospheric attenuation; Attenuation; Frequencies; Frequency bands; frequency scaling; Mathematical models; microwave propagation; millimeter‐wave propagation; Polynomials; Rain; Satellite communications; Satellite service providers; Scaling
• ISSN: 0048-6604; 1944-799X
• DOI: 10.1002/2016RS006103

Broadband satellite communications systems, either used for broadcast or fixed satellite services, have grown continuously in recent years. This has led to the use of higher frequency bands, from the Ku (14/11 GHz) to the Ka band (30/20 GHz) in the last decade, and with the expectation of using the Q/V band (50/40 GHz) and even the W band (75–110 GHz) in the future. As frequency increases, radio wave propagation effects in the slant‐path within the troposphere are becoming more and more relevant. The objective of this research is the proposal of frequency scaling approximations for the total attenuation in the absence of rain, a condition that occurs during the highest percentages of time, usually more than 95% in temperate climates. There is a strong relationship between total attenuation at different frequencies, as it arises from the same physical phenomena, namely, the presence of oxygen, water vapor, and clouds in the slant path. This strong relationship allows frequency scaling estimations to be proposed. In particular, polynomials for instantaneous frequency scaling of total attenuation under these conditions have been calculated for a set of frequencies in the range 10–100 GHz, based on atmospheric profiles of 60 sites from all over the world and physical models of attenuation. Global polynomials are provided for the 72 combinations of nine significant frequencies, which can be used to estimate attenuation at a frequency band from its known value at a different one. Refined expressions have also been calculated for different climatic zones, providing more precise estimations. Key Points Atmospheric attenuation is becoming more relevant as satellite links make use of higher frequencies A procedure for instantaneous frequency scaling in the absence of rain is proposed The range of application is 10‐100 GHz; the procedure takes into account climatic characteristics