Modeling of Venus Atmospheric RF Attenuation for Communication Link Purposes

This paper describes a method for modeling microwave propagation and signal attenuation along an electromagnetic ray linking a spacecraft with a descent probe within the atmosphere of Venus. Attenuation in the Venusian atmosphere is governed by energy absorption and defocusing effects along the path of propagation. Empirical models of the relevant atmospheric properties affecting these are used to determine the curved ray path by way of an efficient numerical integration procedure, coupled with a fast converging iterative algorithm. Emphasis is placed on S-band frequencies, but the method and formulations are applicable up to about 10GHz.