Ka-band Earth-space propagation research in Japan

Earth-space propagation studies in Japan were originally concerned with measuring atmospheric absorption and rain attenuation by means of a suntracker and a radiometer, following which a number of long-term experiments were performed using various experimental and commercial satellites. The first experiments involving Ka-band Earth-space propagation measurements in Japan were carried out in 1977 using the Engineering Test Satellite Type II, and since 1978, these experiments have been conducted using Japan's domestic communication satellite. Based on these studies to date, the understanding of Earth-space propagation characteristics at higher frequency bands, modeling of propagation channels, and development of countermeasure technologies have shown dramatic progress. In Japan at present, advanced propagation studies are under way in wideband digital-transmission satellite systems for the forthcoming multimedia era. This paper summarizes recent study activities concerning wave propagation in Ka-band Earth-space paths and related topics, such as radiometeorology in Japan. Last, future plans for conducting Ka-band and millimeter-wave propagation experiments by using the Japanese experimental satellite "COMETS" and rain observations in tropical regions by "TRMM" are introduced briefly.