One year of 20 GHz satellite measurement data from a nordic maritime environment

One year of data from an experiment measuring a 19.68 GHz satellite beacon and meteorological conditions at high latitude locations with maritime climate in Norway are described. The locations covered in this paper are Røst (67.5°N), Vadsø (70.1°N) and Isfjord Radio (78.1°N). The elevation angles towards the satellite are 14, 10 and 3 degrees, respectively. Excess attenuation and precipitation are studied and compared with prediction models from ITU-R. The measured rain intensities at 0.01 per cent of time are 5.8 mm/h for Isfjord Radio, 13.8 mm/h for Vadsø and 16.5 mm for Røst. For the three stations, the predicted rain intensities from ITU-R, at the same time percentage, are significantly higher, while the values from the Norwegian mainland rain intensity map are relatively close to the measured ones. Rain height based on measured ground temperatures are lower than those utilised in the ITU-R model for Vadsø and Isfjord Radio. The significance of cloud attenuation is clearly visible when investigating the same two sites, which both have long paths through the atmosphere. The measured excess attenuation at 0.01 per cent of time is 18.2 dB for Isfjord Radio, 14.0 dB for Vadsø and 8.6 dB for Røst. A case study showing a deep attenuation event at Isfjord Radio is presented, showing challenges related to wet snow and ice attaching to the antenna. The results are believed to be of interest when designing low elevation angle K/Ka-band satellite communication systems for maritime and costal utilisation at high latitudes.