Impact of Rain Heights on Rain-Induced Attenuation for Communication Systems Operating at Ka and V Bands in Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Wireless communication networks, such as 5G networks, inter-terrestrial, and earth-space links, transmit radio signals at high-frequency bands. However, the signal quality of radio communication systems operating at frequencies above 10 GHz in tropical and subtropical regions is often degraded due to rain induced attenuation. Rain rate and rain height are the most influential meteorological parameters determining the level of attenuation. This research investigates the effects of seasonal variations in rain height on rain-induced attenuation and its impact on radio links operating at typical downlink and uplink frequencies in the Ka (30/20 GHz) and V (40/50 GHz) bands in Pretoria, South Africa. The research revealed that maximum rain heights experienced in the summer resulted in the worst rain-induced attenuation at all frequencies. The estimated attenuations would assist to determining the minimum fade margins required to achieve 99.9%, 99.99% and 99.999% signal availability annually at these frequencies in the study location. The results are expected to serve as a database for future planning of high-frequency link budgets.