Cloud-Cover Statistics and Cloud Attenuation at Ka- and V-Bands for Satellite Systems Design in Tropical Wet Climate

Cloud-cover statistics, low cloud base height, frequency of precipitation, 0°C isothermal height, and integrated cloud liquid water and cloud attenuation have been obtained for the tropical rain forest climatic zone of Africa. The cumulative distribution of integrated cloud liquid water content shows a departure from the ITU-R model. A comparison of cloud attenuation at Ka-and V-bands show that the ITU-R model underestimates the attenuation up to about 1.7 and 2.3 dB at 30 and 50 GHz, respectively.