First results of total attenuation distributions and fade dynamics from the Alphasat propagation experiment in Madrid

Experimental results in satellite propagation on millimeter-wave band have an important role in the development of propagation channel models for these frequencies. Two full years of measurements of the Q-band beacon from the Alphasat satellite are available in Madrid, Spain, as part of a propagation study carried out by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. In this paper, the main objective is to present the first results of these two years, specifically total attenuation distributions and fade dynamics. Results of fade dynamics are compared with prediction models. Experiment characteristics and data processing details are also presented. When compared with the results of other long-term experiments, it can be concluded that more measurements are necessary in order to deliver more reliable results.