Rain attenuation studies over an earth–space path at a tropical location

The rain rate and rain attenuation measurements have been carried out at Kolkata (22.65°N, 88.45°E), India, a tropical location, since 2004. The measured rain attenuation is compared with the simple attenuation model (SAM) and ITU-R model generated values. The relation between the rain rate and rain attenuation is analyzed for three years data (2005–2007) and a year-to-year variation is noticed. Rain attenuation has been found higher in the pre-monsoon period than in the monsoon months for identical rain rate. Cumulative distributions of rain rate and rain attenuation data along with the respective ITU-R models for three years are also presented.