Site diversity advantage as a function of spacing and satellite elevation angle, derived from dual-polarization radar data

A description is given of the application of dual-polarization radar (linear, copolar transmit and receive) to estimate the site diversity advantage achieved by two hypothetical satellite receiving stations when attenuation by rain is present on the earth-satellite path. The site diversity advantage is computed at 11.6 GHz for satellite elevation angles of 10°, 20°, and 30°, and for numerous spacings between the two receivers. The data collection scheme is described, and the limitations of the statistics discussed. A description is given of the computation, from the radar data, of the total path attenuation caused by rain cells and the problems of applying these techniques are discussed.