Radiowave Propagation at Ka-band (20/30 GHz) for Satellite Communication in High-Latitude Regions

Atmospheric impairments are a major obstacle in satellite communications at Ka-band in high latitude regions. This report gives a short summary of the existing models that can be used to model the impairments. Further a simple measurement system based on satellite beacon reception is designed using locally available and off-the-shelf components as well as locally manufactured ones. Performance of the components as well as of the whole system is examined and found to be in agreement with the expected values with overall system figure of merit (G/T) of 21 dB/K. Data from 25 days of measurements are presented and compared with model predictions. The comparison points to possible deficiencies in some of the system components that should be assessed for further use. Most notably low amplitude accuracy of the spectrum analyzer and a low sampling rate of the data acquisition system