A New Satellite Experiment in the Q/V Band for the Verification of Fade Countermeasures based on the Spatial Non-Uniformity of Attenuation

The paper summarizes the baselines of a new satellite payload for radiowave propagation measurements in the Ka and Q/V bands which is being developed by the European Space Agency for the ESA Alphasat mission with the full support of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The radiowave propagation experiment will be based on a geostationary satellite and will allow collecting a set of multiple simultaneous attenuation and depolarization measurements during a period of at least 3 years (with a possible extension up to 5 years) in many locations spread across a large area. This experiment represents a natural continuation of the European commitment on the characterisation of the Ka and Q/V band demonstrated during the recent period by the development of ESA OLYMPUS, ASI ITALSAT and CNES STENTOR satellites. The baseline design foresees a transmit-only payload radiating stable Ka and Q band coherent beacon signals from a geostationary platform. It is foreseen that the coverage area will be at least continental Europe with the possibility of a global coverage being considered; the polarization will be circular in order to ease depolarization measurements where possible and the reception shall be possible with antennas with diameter of the order of one meter.