Frequency scaling of attenuation is the prediction of attenuation at a desired
frequency from attenuation values at a base frequency. The attenuation at the base
frequency is often known from prior measurements. Frequency scaling of attenuation
is of interest because of the eventual need to exploit higher frequency bands. Most
satellite communications traffic now use C-band (4-8 GHz) and Ku-band (12-18 GHz).
The next approved, yet largely unused, frequency allocation for domestic use is in the
K-band (18-27 GHz) to Ka-band (27-40 GHz). At these higher frequencies, however,
earth-space radio links suffer atmospherically induced impairments as frequency
increases. In particular, rain causes severe fading. Consequently, satellite systems in
these higher bands are very susceptible to outages due to rain-induced fades. Reliable
frequency scaling models are needed in system design to estimate the effect of these
rain-induced fades.
Between August 1990 and August 1992, V.P.I. & S.U.'s SATCOM Group
performed extensive measurements of slant path attenuation using the 12, 20, and 30
GHz beacon signals (in the Ku/Ka-bands) of the European OLYMPUS experimental
satellite. The experimental results are used to evaluate the usefulness of scaling models
proposed by other researchers, both for instantaneous and statistical purposes. New
models are presented for accurate scaling of attenuation within the Ku/Ka-bands.
next to an author's name indicates that all files or directories associated with their ETD are accessible from the Virginia Tech campus network only.
![[VT]](http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/images/ETD-db/restricted.gif)
