Experimental study on the characteristics of atmospheric attenuation in microwave band

The characteristics of atmospheric attenuation in the microwave band (5 mm - 3.2 cm) are studied. Experimental results from the measurements of atmospheric attenuation using the solar-radiation method and the atmospheric-radiation method in Beijing are compared with values calculated from radiosonde data to analyze their correlativity. The relationship between the atmospheric microwave absorption and total water-vapor content or surface meteorological factors (for example, temperature and specific humidity) is discussed. It reveals the possibility of prediction of atmospheric microwave absorption. Effects of cloud on attenuation are also described.