Results from ETS-V land mobile satellite propagation experiments in Kyoto City

In February 1990, land mobile satellite propagation experiments were conducted in Kyoto City, Japan using ETS-V (Engineering Test Satellite-V). The signal transmitted from the satellite was received and recorded at a mobile unit moving in different streets of the downtown area. The streets chosen have high-rise buildings, electricity utility poles, trees, etc. which obstructed satellite line of sight. The propagation characteristics such as fade/nonfade distribution, joint fade and nonfade distribution, phase distribution and their dependence on the antenna type are discussed for the measured link. Error characteristics in digital communication for this link have been qualitatively analyzed from the measured signal level fluctuation. The effect of interleaving and coding to improve the communication link is also discussed