Investigation of passive atmospheric sounding using millimeter and submillimeter wavelength channels

Activities within the period from July 1, 1992 through December 31, 1992 by Georgia Tech researchers in millimeter and submillimeter wavelength tropospheric remote sensing have been centered around the calibration of the Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer (MIR), preliminary flight data analysis, and preparation for TOGA/COARE. The MIR instrument is a joint project between NASA/GSFC and Georgia Tech. In the current configuration, the MIR has channels at 90, 150, 183(+/-1,3,7), and 220 GHz. Provisions for three additional channels at 325(+/-1,3) and 8 GHz have been made, and a 325-GHz receiver is currently being built by the ZAX Millimeter Wave Corporation for use in the MIR. Past Georgia Tech contributions to the MIR and its related scientific uses have included basic system design studies, performance analyses, and circuit and radiometric load design, in-flight software, and post-flight data display software. The combination of the above millimeter wave and submillimeter wave channels aboard a single well-calibrated instrument will provide unique radiometric data for radiative transfer and cloud and water vapor retrieval studies. A paper by the PI discussing the potential benefits of passive millimeter and submillimeter wave observations for cloud, water vapor and precipitation measurements has recently been published, and is included as an appendix

An Improved Slant Path Attenuation Prediction Method in Tropical Climates

An improved method for predicting slant path attenuation in tropical climates is presented in this paper. The proposed approach is based on rain intensity data R_0.01 (mm/h) from 37 tropical and equatorial stations; and is validated by using the measurement data from a few localities in tropical climates. The new method seems to accurately predict the slant path attenuation in tropical localities, and the comparative tests seem to show significant improvement in terms of the RMS of the relative error variable compared to the RMS obtained with the SAM, Crane, and ITU-R prediction models

Investigation of passive atmospheric sounding using millimeter and submillimeter wavelength channels

Activities within the period from January 1, 1992 through June 30, 1992 by Georgia Tech researchers in millimeter and submillimeter wavelength tropospheric remote sensing have been centered around the integration and initial data flights of the MIR on board the NASA ER-2. Georgia Tech contributions during this period include completion of the MIR flight software and implementation of a 'quick-view' graphics program for ground based calibration and analysis of the MIR imagery. In the current configuration, the MIR has channels at 90, 150, 183 +/- 1,3,7, and 220 GHz. Provisions for three additional channels at 325 +/-1,3 and 9 GHZ have been made, and a 325-GHz receiver is currently being built by the ZAX Millimeter Wave Corporation for use in the MIR. The combination of the millimeter wave and submillimeter wave channels aboard a single well-calibrated instrument will provide the necessary aircraft radiometric data for radiative transfer and cloud and water vapor retrieval studies. A paper by the PI discussing the potential benefits of passive millimeter and submillimeter wave observations for cloud, water vapor and precipitation measurements has recently been accepted for publication (Gasiewski, 1992), and is included as Appendix A. The MIR instrument is a joint project between NASA/GSFC and Georgia Tech. Other Georgia Tech contributions to the MIR and its related scientific uses have included basic system design studies, performance analyses, and circuit and radiometric load design

Channel fading attenuation based on rainfall rate for future 5G wireless communication system over 38-GHz

In this paper, the effect of heavy rainfall on the propagation of a 38-GHz in a tropical region was studied and analyzed. Real measurement was collected, with a path length of 300 meters, for a (5G) radio linkage in Malaysia, installed at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Johor Bahru campus. The employed system entails an Ericsson MINI-Link 38 E-0.6 mm, with a horizontal polarization (HP) antenna at the top integrated with a rain gauge and a data logger. Daily registered samples with a single minute span, for a full study period of 1 month, were collected and evaluated. The obtained rain rate was found as 56 mm/hr with a specific rain attenuation of 18.4 dB/km for 0.01% of the time. In addition to that, a calculated average rain attenuation of 5.5 dB for the transmission path of 300 meters length, was calculated. Based on these findings, a recommendation to update the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) specification of the rain attenuation for Malaysia is proposed. Based on the results, we suggest shifting the zone classification of Malaysia from zone P to zone N-P. Therefore, accurate design for future 5G systems would rely on more precise estimated attenuation levels leading to enhanced performance

Rain Attenuation Modelling and Mitigation in The Tropics: Brief Review

This paper is a brief review of Rain AttenuationModelling and Mitigation in the Tropics. The fast depleting availability of the lower frequency bands like the Ku-band as a result of congestion by commercial satellite operations coupled with severe rain attenuations experienced at higher frequency bands (Ka and Q/V), particularly in the tropical regions which was caused by higher rainfall rates and bigger raindrop size, amongst others; it was pertinent that deliberate effforts be geared towards research along this direction. This became even more critical owing to a dearth database along the slant path in the tropical regions for use in rain propagation studies at microwave frequencies, especially at millimeter wave bands (where most signal depolarization and fading takes place). The results presented in this work are valuable for design and planning of the satellite link, particularly in the tropical regions.DAH, ITU-R and SAM model simulations along the slant-path were investigated using local rainfall data at 0.01% of the time, while making use of TRMM data from NigComSat-1 satellite to obtain the measured data for Lagos. Terrestrial attenuation data for 0.01% of the time for UTM were obtained from the UTM wireless communication center (WCC). The attenuation data were thereafter transformed to slant path using transformation technique proposed for Ku band byA. Y. Abdulrahman. Theattenuation exceeded for other percentages of the average year was obtained using statistical interpolation extrapolation method.It was observed that the proposed model predicts creditably well for the ka down link frequency band, by producing the best performance when compared with SAM, DAH and ITU-R models.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v2i6.122

Concepts for 18/30 GHz satellite communication system, volume 1A: Appendix

The following are appended: (1) Propagation phenomena and attenuation models; (2) Models and measurements of rainfall patterns in the U.S.; (3) Millimeter wave propagation experiments; (4) Comparison of the theory and Millimeter wave propagation experiments; (4) Comparison of theory and experiment; (5) A practical rain attenuation model for CONUS; (6) Space diversity; (7) Values of attenuation for selected U.S. cities; and (8) Additional considerations

Atmospheric Impairments and Mitigation Techniques for High-Frequency Earth-Space Communication System in Heavy Rain Region: A Brief Review

This work surveys the atmospheric impairments that affect a satellite link operating in a high-frequency band, such as Ka and Q/V bands, particularly in heavy rain regions. The impacts of hydrometeors and cloud attenuation are emphasised and discussed along with the contribution of gases and scintillation to signal fade. Also, propagation impairment mitigation techniques are reviewed from the perspective of satellite operators in heavy rain areas

Investigating Rain Attenuation Models for Satellite Links in Tropical Nigeria

The analyses of rain models for satellite communication links of Ku and Ka bands in Lagos, Nigeria is the focus of this paper. The choice of these frequency bands was informed by the acknowledged fact that satellite signal fading and outages are predominant at those bands. The ITU-R P. 618-12 is the globally adopted prediction model; temperate, equatorial and tropical regions, inclusive. However, there was need to review the suitability of this model especially as it concerned equatorial and tropical stations. Rainfall data spanning a period of three years were collected from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). The ITU-R P. 618-12 model along with some renowned prediction models were analyzed and their performances with the locally recorded measurement data were compared to establish their suitability or otherwise. The results obtained suggested ITU-R P. 618-12 exhibited the overall best performance at 12 GHz while DAH showed best performance at 26 GHz, even as both models underestimated and overestimated the measurement at Ku and Ka bands respectively. Again, at both frequencies, SST presented the worst performances