EIRP Variations due to Uplink Power Control in Small-Aperture Satellite Communication Links

Power control techniques that compensate for rain fading in the uplink have been used extensively in the past. In the case of small-aperture terminals, because they are usually transmitting at their maximum allowed equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) spectral density level, uplink power control may increase interference to adjacent satellites. Therefore, uplink power control requires special consideration when it is applied to small-aperture terminals. In this paper we examine several different techniques available for uplink power control in the context of resulting variations in the EIRP of the terminal. Specifically, we provide techniques for estimating the rain fades, carry out a statistical analysis of these estimates, and analyze the variations of the EIRP resulting from uplink power control.