A Time Diversity Model for EHF Satellite Communication Systems

A simple yet effective time diversity model, referred to as Time Diversity Stratiform Convective EXCELL (TD-SCEX), is presented. The model, conceived to support the design of EHF Earth-space communication systems implementing Fade Mitigation Techniques, takes advantage of the Stratiform Convective EXponential CELL (SC EXCELL) model to predict the joint rain attenuation statistics and, hence, the time diversity gain, starting from the geometrical and electrical characteristics of the link, as well as from the joint rain rate statistics. The model performance is evaluated against the data collected in Milan, Madrid, and Spino d'Adda at Ka-, Q-, and V-bands in the framework of different long-term propagation campaigns. Results indicate that TD-SCEX is a useful tool to predict the effectiveness of time diversity in improving the performance of EHF Earth-space communication systems.