Microscale diversity in satellite communications

Author

Cardoso, J.C. ; Safaai-Jazi, A. ; Stutzman, W.L.

Author_Institution

Bradley Dept. of Electr. Eng., Virginia Polytech. Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA, USA

Volume

41

Issue

6

fYear

1993

fDate

6/1/1993 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

801

Lastpage

805

Abstract

Results from an investigation into a microscale diversity scheme for the purpose of mitigating attenuation due to tropospheric scintillations are presented. Data from an experiment using the 20-GHz Olympus satellite beacon were analyzed to evaluate the performance of short-baseline site-diversity systems. Results indicate that with a baseline separation of about 50 m (at an elevation angle of 14° in this experiment) the signals received by the main and diversity terminals become decorrelated. Examination of several high-scintillation events shows that such a diversity technique could substantially increase the uptime of low-power-margin VSAT systems. The performance of microscale diversity for several baseline separations is evaluated in terms of a parameter called diversity recovery. Applications and conditions under which microscale diversity performs best are addressed

Keywords

diversity reception; radiowave propagation; satellite relay systems; tropospheric electromagnetic wave propagation; 20 GHz; Olympus satellite beacon; VSAT systems; diversity recovery; microscale diversity; satellite communications; short-baseline site-diversity systems; tropospheric scintillations; Apertures; Attenuation; Degradation; Frequency; Helium; Rain fading; Satellite antennas; Satellite communication; Storms; Terrestrial atmosphere;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-926X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/8.250456

Filename

250456