Analysis of links to deep space probes at W band exploiting radiative transfer solutions and remote sensing data

This work concerns the problem of analysing the link budget of a ground station communicating with deep space probes. The advantages of a high frequency link (Ka and W band) are discussed, together with the problem originating from the considerable tropospheric effect. The work presents an approach aiming to provide the information on attenuation and antenna temperature required for performing the link budget, exploiting the meteorological information available on the site through satellite remote sensing techniques and the electromagnetic insight provided by a radiative transfer approach. The proposed method is discussed, whilst more quantitative results are expected to be presented as the ESA funded project will further progress.