Prediction of rain attenuation statistics for satellite communications in the 10–45 GHz range in Canada

This paper presents a means of predicting rain attenuation for a 20/44 GHz SATCOM system for Canada. Rain attenuation statistics have been estimated, but not verified experimentally, for most of the Canadian territory below 69° N latitude for a geostationary SATCOM system in the 10–45 GHz range with arbitrary link parameters. The effect of site diversity on these results can be estimated. Long-term experimental rain data, the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) rain attenuation prediction model and the Hodge site diversity model have been used for this purpose in the present work. The results are given in various formats to facilitate system design. This study indicates that although rain attenuation is high in this frequency range, it remains within manageable limits.