Microwave Tropospheric Scintillation and Excess Attenuation Prediction for Satellite to Earth Links Using 3D High-resolution Meteorological Forecast Models: Data Validation and Case Study

High frequencies in the microwave spectrum are nowadays no more just confined to telemetry and remote sensing applications. Electromagnetic propagation at frequencies above 6 GHz for ICT end-user application is quickly becoming a reality opening the door to the world of millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths. Due to the high frequencies and large bandwidths requested for new devices, the design of the communication links to grant the appropriate service is now critical, especially for Satellite to Earth links. Evolution of the weather forecast models into 3D High Resolution meteorological parameters prediction systems represent a new kick-off for prediction of electromagnetic signals behaviour through the atmosphere, to be used alongside the already consolidated statistical approach. Different weather forecast models are applied to calculate estimation of various parameters focusing on excess attenuation and refraction index structure constant. The results show the goodness of this approach, especially when paired with the GFS weather forecast model. From results analysis of a case-study, the stratification of the atmosphere also lead to small difference when considering the signal path from the geosynchronous satellite on a real slant or just on pseudo-slant due to quite high elevation angle of receiving station antenna. This solution, compared to the statistical one, has the advantage to give a time series prediction of the electromagnetic signal behaviour and not just a statistical value or worst case to refer at. The quality of the results suggests the possibility of a future application of this approach to the solution of critical link budgets or to predict signal attitude during severe atmosphere events helping prevent out of service time of ICT systems.