A two-level, multi-state Markov model for satellite propagation channels

Propagation channels can be considered as operating in one of a finite number of possible states. The propagation fading is treated as fast fading and slow fading. Each of these two levels can be separated into several propagation states. Two Markov transition matrices are introduced for simulating the variation of the received signal strength due to multipath fading. Our method provides more states while limiting the transition matrix size to save processing time and memory requirements. We obtain accurate predictions of fading properties and error probability for typical mobile user environments. Comparing with the method of using one large Markov transition matrix, this simple and efficient method not only provides higher accuracy and saves memory requirements, but also extends the applicability of the Markov process approach in propagation channel modeling for land mobile satellite services.