Rain attenuation considerations for satellite paths in Australia

A semiempirical model is proposed for predicting earth-space path rain attenuation in Australia. The country is divided into rain intensity zones by the model. The rain attenuation-rain rate relationships that have been determined experimentally, together with the assumed rain attenuation-elevation angle dependance relationships, are interpolated linearly between the temperate and tropical extremes to describe each of the climatic zones. Several rain attenuation models proposed in other countries are compared with this model, with the similarities and differences discussed. The rain-induced effects of system noise temperature changes and reduced cross-polar discrimination are assessed in calculating a rain margin for earth station design.