An Enhanced Frequency Scaling Model forMillimeter-Wave Rain Attenuation in TropicalSatellite Links with Pseudo-code Implementation

Abstract Heavy and frequent tropical rainfall severely degrades millimetre-wave satellite communications (SatCom), particularly for frequencies above10GHz used by modern high-throughput satellites and 5G backhaul. Existingprediction models, such as ITU-R P.618, are primarily derived from temperate-region data and often underperform in tropical environments. This paper pro-poses an enhanced frequency scaling model for rain attenuation prediction,capable of estimating fade margins without reliance on local rainfall rate mea-surements. The model is empirically developed using multi-year Ku- and Ka-band beacon data from Malaysia, and validated with independent datasetsfrom Malaysia and Nigeria. Results show significant performance improve-ments, achieving a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 2.8dB and an averagepercentage error of 11.3%, representing an 80–90% improvement over ITU-Rfrequency scaling methods. Practical pseudocode is provided for direct imple-mentation in satellite link budget and fade mitigation planning. The modelenables precise fade margin estimation, improving the resilience of tropicalmillimetre-wave SatCom links and supporting future 5G and broadband appli-cations. By ensuring consistent Quality of Service (QoS) during heavy precipi-tation, the new model facilitates robust and cost-effective satellite connectivityin tropical climates.