Variation of attenuation and space diversity with elevation angle on 12 GHz satellite-to-ground radio paths

The results of a 6°-elevation-angle space-diversity experiment at a frequency of 11.6 GHz are reported, and is a comparison made with earlier results obtained by using the same sites at an elevation angle of 29.5°. For a given percentage time, more than double the path attenuation was measured at the lower elevation angle. Methods of predicting the attenuation and diversity gain at the lower elevation angle are discussed.