The DLR-station for propagation measurements on Earth-satellite paths and first results

For the investigation of microwave propagation on 20 GHz satellite communication links, especially attenuation and depolarization by rain, a new measuring station was built up at DLR Oberpfaffenhofen. The station consists of a 20 GHz beacon receiver, a polarimetric 20 GHz radiometer, a coherent polarimetric C-band weather radar and several meteorological instruments. Coordinated measurements during rain events were performed on the Olympus satellite path and were compared with each other. The polarimetric properties of various quantities measured, i.e. attenuation, sky temperature and reflectivity, and their correlation with the meteorological parameters are also emphasized