Precipitation fade statistics for 19/29-GHz COMSTAR beacon signals and 12-GHz radiometric measurements

The effects of rain on the 19/29-GHz COMSTAR beacon signals and 12-GHz radiometrically measured atmospheric noise temperature are discussed. COMSTAR D-1, D-2 and D-3 data covering four years of continuous measurement of beacon signals, 11.6-GHz radiometrically measured atmospheric noise temperature, and surface point rain rate, are analyzed for cumulative fade distributions at 19.04 and 28.56 GHz, diurnal fade distributions and fade direction histograms at those two frequencies, cumulative distribution of measured surface point rain rate, excess rain attenuation derived from radiometrically measured atmospheric noise temperature, and the diurnal and fade duration histograms of the 11.6-GHz fades. Elevation angle dependence is briefly considered.