Rain Attenuation Impact on Performance of Satellite Ground Stations for Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) Satellites in Europe

Abstract

Low Earth Orbits (LEO) satellites are used for public communication and for scientific purposes. These satellites provide opportunities for investigations for which alternative techniques are either difficult or impossible to apply. Ground stations have to be established in order to communicate with such satellites. Usually these satellites communicate with ground stations at S-band. The communication quality depends on the performance of the satellite ground station, in addition to that of satellite. The performance of the satellite ground stations is expressed through Figure of Merit. The aim of this paper is to analyze the rain attenuation impact on the performance of the respective ground station. Rain attenuation depends on geographical location where the satellite ground station is implemented. In order to compare this effect on satellite ground station performance, some cities of Europe are considered. Finally, the rain attenuation impact on the satellite ground station Figure of Merit for the hypothetical satellite ground station installed in Prishtina is analyzed.