Statistical Study of Cloud Attenuation on Ka-Band Satellite Signal in Tropical Region

A two-year statistical study of cloud induced attenuation on Ka-band satellite communication link in the tropical region is presented. Different from other publications, experimental results from an 18.9-GHz beacon receiver is analyzed for cloud attenuation. Several new cloud detection methods are proposed in order to achieve accurate cloud attenuation estimation. These results are compared to the ITU-R model for the same frequency and elevation angle. The complementary cumulative distribution function of two-year cloud attenuation shows that at time exceedance of 0.01%, cloud attenuation in the Ka-band can reach up to 4 dB. It is found that the ITU-R model underestimate the cloud attenuation in the tropical region.