The MultiEXCELL model for the prediction of the radio interference due to hydrometeor scattering

This paper presents a physically-based methodology for the prediction of the intersystem radio interference due to hydrometeor scattering. Local precipitation phenomena are modelled through a set of synthetic rain fields generated by the MultiEXCELL model, whose ensemble correctly reproduce the local rainfall statistics and rain rate spatial distribution. The coupling-by-scattering mechanism relies on the simplified bistatic radar equation (BRE), which allows to efficiently evaluate interference levels between two stations when the geometrical and electrical characteristics of the links, as well as the distribution of scatterers within the common volume, are known. The model's performance is evaluated against the comprehensive ITU-R DBSG3 database and is compared to that achieved by using isolated rain cells (EXCELL model) to model precipitations. The results clearly indicate the benefits of introducing MultiEXCELL for a more realistic representation of the local meteorological environment over long paths.