Fade duration and interfade interval statistics measured on a 19-GHz earth-space path

The temporal distribution of rain-produced attenuation has a significant effect on the performance of satellite communications systems operating above 10 GHz. This paper presents distributions of fade durations and interfade intervals on a 19 GHz earth-space path with an 18.5 degree elevation angle. Median fade durations ranged between 2.8 and 7.5 min for fade depths of 5-40 dB. Interfade intervals between high-attenuation fades were much longer than those between low-attenuation fades. These deep fades occurred at a higher rate during July and August than during the remaining 10-month period.