Rayleigh-Mie approximation for line-of-sight propagation through rain at 5-90 GHz

An earlier heuristic model of attenuation and phase changes through a layer of oblate spheroids is replaced by a new, simpler, model with much greater accuracy. The model is meant to cover propagation through rain at 5-90 GHz frequencies and at rain rates from 5-150 mm/hr. Accurate predictions of co and crosspolar attenuation, of co and crosspolar discrimination, and of the various phase changes associated with each polarization of the incident wave are now possible by means of calculations requiring no more than simple numerical extensions of Mie calculations superposed upon the Rayleigh forward-scattering cross sections. Some degree of canting-angle variations is included. Comparison of calculations by this approximation to a variety of empirical or simulated rain statistics available in the literature is presented.