A new coverage prediction method for local multipoint distribution systems

Broadband wireless access networks, such as local multipoint distribution systems (LMDS), operate at millimetre wave radio frequencies. In these bands, rain attenuation is the dominant fading mechanism and the main propagation impairment for system design. The purpose of this paper is to examine rigorously the effects of precipitation on LMDS and to modify an existing coverage prediction method. Furthermore, coverage prediction examples are presented for many geographical regions, with different climatic conditions, for various fade margins and availabilities.