Characteristics of rain fading on Ka-band satellite-Earth links in a Pacific maritime climate

This paper focuses on characteristics of rain-induced attenuation at Ka-band measured over the period 1994-1997 with the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) in Vancouver (Canada). Event-based analyses of fading are performed and examples of the instantaneous 30/20 GHz frequency-scaling ratio are presented. Long-term cumulative statistics of rain rate as derived from raingauge measurements, along with annual attenuation statistics at 20 and 30 GHz are provided. Finally, rain rate and attenuation statistics are compared with ITU-R models and aspects related to local climatic characteristics are considered, aiming to improve the predictions of attenuation due to rain.