Site Diversity in Satellite Communications

This book describes multi-site diversity modelling of induced rain attenuation statistics for satellite communication systems using copula functions. It gathers all relevant state-of-the-art knowledge, provides the missing pieces and rounds them up in a way that the reader is given a complete picture of important modelling factors and ways to address them. The books main features include: Data post-processing methodology for statistical analysis based on our Earth-satellite propagation experiments. Two novel multi-site diversity prediction models based on Gaussian copula considering distance between stations or considering distance, baseline, and elevation angle. Two novel multi-site diversity prediction models based on hyperbolic cosecant copula considering distance between stations or considering distance, baseline, and elevation angle. Exhaustive comparative tests and error performance of the prediction models showing that improved error performance is achieved compared to the ITU R model and to the state-of-the-art models. The results presented in the book are expected to contribute to the improvement of the system design and to the further research of modelling the next generation satellite links at higher frequencies.