BT rainscatter studies-experimental measurements

As a result of theoretical rainscatter studies, undertaken for BT by Essex University a new, versatile, rainscatter propagation model has been developed. This has been linked to a BT microwave link database to form a powerful, computer based, rainscatter interference prediction tool known within Bt as `BTPOWER´. To support the continuing development of `BTPOWER´, and to test existing models, a number of rainscatter monitoring experiments have been deployed around the UK by the BT Research Laboratories (BTRL) to gather rainscatter interference data. These investigations are concentrating on the 11 GHz band shared by terrestrial radio relay systems and the fixed-satellite service. The objective of the measurement programme is to use actual terrestrial link transmitters, practical interference geometries and standard small earth station receiving hardware to generate results representative of those experienced by real communication systems operating within the UK. Data from `real-world´ situations is extremely scarce, and will usefully complement that currently being derived from `specialised´ rainscatter propagation experiments