Measurements of wet radome transmission loss and depolarization effects in simulated rain at 20 GHz

Measurements of the electromagnetic wave transmission loss and depolarization due to simulated rain water flowing on the surface of a large air-supported hydrophobic radome containing a large ground terminal dish antenna are reported. The measurements are performed in the 17.7 to 21.2 GHz satellite downlink band using a 42.2 km terrestrial air link. Measured data for the wet radome co-polarization attenuation and depolarization induced by simulated rain rates of 5, 10 and 50 mm/hr on the radome are presented.