Analysis and Characterization Of Inter-Events Of Ku-Band Satellite Signals Over A Mountainous Region In Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

Analysis and characterization of a 10-month measurement of Ku-band signals and rain rate events over a mountainous location, Ikere Ekiti (7.4991° N, 5.2319° E), in southwestern Nigeria is presented. The Ku-band at a signal frequency of 12.245 GHz from the EUTELSAT W4/W7 Satellite was at an orbital location of 36.0^oE, and horizontal polarization was made along concurrent rain rate events using an automatic weather station. The characteristics of inter-event signals during rainfall events were examined at different periods of the year, seasonally and diurnally, to ascertain the level of signal degradation. It was found that signals suffer more degradation during the intense rainy period, which covers nearly half of the year. Based on time series, the highest occurrence of a rain rate of 150 mm/hr was observed in September, with a corresponding attenuation of about 25 dB. When the measured rain rate was compared with the ITU-R value at 0.01% exceedance, it was found that the ITU-R value showed a deviation up to 15.2% from the actual measurement. In addition to the effect of multipath fading due to the mountainous terrain, a significant value of about 25 dB will be required to compensate for signal loss in Ikere to achieve good quality of signal, especially during the daytime.