Recent Update on One-Minute Rainfall Rate Measurements for Microwave Applications in Nigeria

• DOI: 10.11648/j.wcmc.20150303.12
• Publication Date: 2015-08-13T08:12:42Z
• Authors: Obiyemi Obiseye O.
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; 02 engineering and technology

Rain rate statistics is required for planning both satellite and terrestrial links, especially in the microwave and millimeter wave bands. Presented in this work is the one-minute rain rate statistics observed over seventeen months using an electronic weather station - Davis Vantage Vue. The installation is at the main campus of Osun State University, Osogbo (7° 76' N, 4° 60' E), Nigeria. The cumulative rain rate distribution from the measured rain rate is presented alongside predictions by other prominent models. The R0.01 estimate as high as ~ 120 mm/h was obtained from the surface data and subsequently employed in estimating the fade margin over a hypothetical DTH link for the reception of digital television content at 12.245 GHz from EUTELSAT W4/W7. Estimates presented over time percentages ranging between 0.001% and 1% are dissimilar. However, their suitability for predicting fade margins over this location could be ascertained via a performance analysis, based on experimental attenuation estimates over the link. The first point rain rate estimate from surface data over Osogbo is reported here and will be very useful for modeling rain attenuation and for planning both terrestrial and earth-space microwave links.