Comparison of Rain Fade Mitigation Techniques Using CRC and Embedded Pilot Methods in Ka-Band Satellite Links

The large bandwidth available in Ka-band of the satellite channel is one of the prime motivations for broadband communication via satellite. In tropical regions where there are heavy rains, the link availability due to rain fade is a major concern in the Ka-band. Rain fade mitigation techniques are required to address the problem. Methods for Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) controlled from the application layer, which can be applied to any typical modem which supports multiple data rates, in order to maintain link availability is presented in this work. Algorithms for estimating the link quality, from the application layer, which is essential for successful implementation of AMC is also detailed in this work.