Rain attenuation statistics at Ka and Q band in Athens using SST and short scale dynamic diversity gain evaluation

The reliable design of modern satellite communication systems operating above 10GHz requires the accurate evaluation of the channel modeling. Rain attenuation is the dominant fading mechanism for satellite links at Ku, Ka and Q/V band. Channel modeling is also important for the optimum design of the Fade Mitigation Techniques (FMTs). In this paper we present annual, seasonal, and diurnal simulated, using synthetic storm technique (SST), rain attenuation statistics for hypothetical links from ALPHASAT at Ka and Q bands. Moreover we examine a simulated pico-scale diversity scheme and we present statistics of the dynamic diversity gain for various satellite link characteristics. Some significant conclusions for the design of high throughput satellite systems operating in Athens, Greece are drawn.