Time variability and depolarization of the local multipoint distribution service radio channel

This paper summarizes 28.8-GHz radiowave propagation measurements made for the local multipoint distribution services (LMDS) radio channel. Time variability and depolarization of the LMDS channel in a suburban environment were analyzed and possible propagation mechanisms are discussed. The signal variability was measured using k-factors and was compared to the Nakagami-Rice cumulative distribution function. Depolarization caused by vegetation and other signal scatterers was found to be an order of magnitude greater than rain-induced depolarization.