Preliminary results of Comstar 19/29-GHz beacon measurements at Clarksburg, Maryland

This paper reviews the characteristics of the Comstar beacon signals and briefly discusses the beacon receive facility at COMSAT Labs, Clarksburg, Maryland. Attenuation data covering individual events and 6-month statistics are presented, including cumulative fade distributions at 19.04 and 28.56 GHz, cumulative point rain rate distributions, diurnal distribution of fades greater than 5 dB at 19.04 and 28.56 GHz, and analysis of the relationship of 19.04-GHz and 28.56-GHz fade data. In addition, measurement results of orthogonal linearly polarized 19.04-GHz signals are described, including depolarization with and without significant attenuation, and differential attenuation of the horizontally and vertically polarized signals. Finally, phase measurements between the 28.56-GHz carrier and the upper and lower sidebands (plus or minus 264.4 MHz) are briefly discussed.