Prediction of tropospheric amplitude scintillation on a satellite link

Semi-empirical models are presented for annual and worst-month distributions of scintillation fades, enhancements, peak-to-peak amplitude excursions, and intensity. The models utilize the well-known theoretical scaling of scintillation with signal frequency, antenna diameter, and path-elevation angle, and its empirical dependence on the wet term of atmospheric refractivity. Dependence on time percentage is obtained by detailed regression analysis of experimental scintillation data obtained at Sparsholt, UK (51.5850/spl deg/ N, 1.5033/spl deg/ W) over a one-year period using the Olympus satellite 19.7704 GHz beacon viewed at a nominal elevation of 28.74/spl deg/. Results are compared where possible with the ITU-R and Moulsley-Vilar scintillation models and with Olympus measurements in Germany.