Time diversity prediction modeling using Copula functions for satellite communication systems operating above 10GHz

In this paper, a new model based on Copula functions for modeling joint exceedance probability of rain attenuation for time diversity satellite systems is presented. Time diversity is an efficient fade mitigation technique, which exploits the decrease of correlation of rainfall medium within time. Copulas theory is used for the coupling of rain attenuation random variables which are considered correlated. The performance of five Copulas on experimental time diversity data is investigated in this paper. The results are very encouraging. Moreover, a significant result is that different copulas must be used depending on the values of the considered time lags. Finally, some useful conclusions are drawn.