Implementation of a space diversity system for Ka-band satellite communications

Satellite links operating at K_a-band suffer large signal fades when rainfall occurs along the path. Space diversity is a technique to overcome this problem. In the framework of the Olympus and Italsat communications experiments, a complex space diversity system has been designed. The main features of this system are: down-paths dynamic delay compensation; hitless switching; switching algorithms and fade detection parameters under software control; and error-free links between diversity stations. The problems that arise in implementing the proposed diversity system are discussed, and the results of the simulations performed using attenuation time series extrapolated from data at 11.45 GHz are presented