QoS In Weather Impacted Satellite Networks

Rain and snow can have a distorting effect on Ku and Ka bands signal fidelity resulting in excessive digital transmission errors. This loss of signal attenuation is commonly referred to as rain fade. Rain fade impacts the Quality of Service (QoS) in wireless and satellite networks. Accurately predicting rain fade can enable mitigation planning by adaptively selecting appropriate power level, coding and modulation. This paper computes rainfall rate and Rain Attenuation (RA) at any location on earth using ITU-R models combined with bi-linear interpolation and frequency extrapolation. In addition since RA is considered a dominant impairment for wireless signal [1]-[6], we are introducing a novel method for accurately determining RA as function of frequency based on proceeding results from a predicted weather database. Finally, a three dimensional relationship is proposed among RAs with both frequency and rainfall rate, which is a function of probability. These results are key factors in adjusting and improving satellite signal power, modulation and coding schemes, and frame size, monitored and controlled altogether by a powerful and efficient intelligent system in order to improve QoS.