Effect of clouds on Ku-band satellite link in tropical island countries – preliminary report

Abstract

Dependence of radio wave attenuation by cloud water content has been investigated by analyzing simultaneous records of the strength of Ku-band satellite downlink and 'insolation'. Preliminary analysis suggests that with increasing cloud coverage in the satellite downlink path, the cloud induced attenuation also increases. The cloud attenuation showed a logarithmic dependence on reduction in insolation. In Fiji, a tropical island country, the maximum attenuation of Ku-band signals by cloud was ~ 11%.