The study of Rain Height for Rain Fade calculation in satellite communication link budget over Malaysia

Abstract

Satellite communication systems operating above 10 GHz are used for broadband multimedia and internet based services. At this high range of frequencies, the signal will be affected by various propagation impairments especially rain attenuation. Rain fade is the most important and critical parameter hence the most major impediment to satellite communications operating in tropical zone countries such as Malaysia. Therefore, the general purpose of this study would be the importance of establishing suitable high fidelity rain attenuation based on rain height. By means, a more accurate estimation of rain height and in tandem with the expected benefits of fade mitigation techniques is needed as these are the key technologies that will enable the realization of a reliable satellite communications system. Rain height plays an important role in rain fade calculation. The higher the rain height, the higher the amount of rainfall the signals wave travels which would cause the higher rain fade calculation. This estimated rain height would surely benefit the satellite communication link in order for the people of Malaysia to experience a more reliable satellite link communication system that would overcome the rain attenuation. This research reviews the various types of methods involved for the realization of the reliable satellite communication link after the rain fade mitigation techniques and feasible countermeasures are proposed against rain fading. Mainly, fundamentals on the rain height and rain attenuation together with the satellite communications included are the backbones of this research. Before concluding the research with result validation that would exhibits comparisons of the findings with the real data and attenuation models, literature review of established works that assist the research findings are highlighted in the proposal as well.