New concept used to predict slant path rain attenuation statistics

A new model for use in predicting rain attenuation from rain rate statistics has been developed based on the concept of moving rain cells with limited extension. Relevant CCIR information has been used for the necessary parameters. Results measured from 53 satellite paths were used to evaluate the prediction accuracy. The median value of the prediction error found to be +0.5 dB with a 1-sigma value of 1.0 dB for attenuation values in the range 0-10 dB. No significant variation in the prediction accuracy has been found for satellite paths in Europe, North America or East Asia, for frequencies in the range 10-20 GHz or elevation angles in the range 10-60 degrees.