Rainfall and snow statistics in the UK

Rainfall and Snow Statistics in the UK

In this paper, the rainfall and snow statistics are studied for high data rates for fixed links in the millimeter wave (mmWave) band for 5G communication systems. The high performance PWS100 disdrometer and custom-designed channel sounder are set up to record weather data and radio data simultaneously in a suburban environment for building to building scenario. The disdrometer can record the particle size and distinguish various types of precipitation, including rain and snow. The 25.84 GHz (K band) and 77.52 GHz (E band) are measured for short direct link and reflected link. The performance of the measurement system has been improved by using a simpler channel sounding architecture and adding protection materials for antennas to reduce the impact of the wet antenna on the measurements. The recently acquired rain intensity statistics in Durham are compared with previous data from Bolton, and Chilbolton, in the UK. The ITU model and Mie scattering models are compared to investigate the attenuation caused by rain and snow. In addition, the attenuation caused by dry snow and wet snow are studied. Dry snow is shown to have much less attenuation than wet snow. Furthermore, another long link is being added by using Filtronic's RF heads to extend the measurement distance.