Empirically Derived Path Reduction Factor for Terrestrial Microwave Links Operating at 15 Ghz in Peninsula Malaysia

This paper describes the technique of deriving path reduction factor from experimental rain rate and rain attenuation data over seven DIGI MINI-LINKs operating at 15 GHz in Malaysia (Lat.: 1.45°N and Long.: 103.75°E). The relationship between experimental path reduction factors with different link lengths has been studied, using multiple non-linear curve-fitting techniques. Based on these studies, an empirical path reduction factor model has been proposed and compared with the ITU-R model. The test results have shown that the ITU-R prediction model may not be appropriate for predicting rain-induced attenuation for the tropical Malaysian climate.