Comparison of S-band radar attenuation prediction with beacon measurements

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the rain attenuation evaluated from beacon measurements and from a single polarization S-band Radar is performed. The beacon measurements are obtained for two slant satellite paths with different elevation angles in the Ku- and Ka-band. The single polarization S-band Radar reflectivity data is used to predict the attenuation along the satellite propagation paths. This is done by first converting the reflectivity into rain rate using the Z-R relations suitable for the tropical region and, afterwards, by evaluating the slant path attenuation through the integration of the specific rain attenuation derived from the point rainfall rate. An empirical calibration factor for the Radar reflectivity is provided. A comparison of the rain fade suffered from the two satellite paths is presented both on event basis and in terms of cumulative distribution functions. The empirical calibration factor and a single Z-R relation suitable for the tropical region are used for rain attenuation evaluation from single polarization Radar data.