Interference due to hydrometeor scatter on satellite communication links

A brief review of hydrometeor scatter interference is given, focusing on recent improvements to International Radio Consultative committee (CCIR) texts on interference between terrestrial and earth stations, and research to effect possible future improvements. The following improvements are suggested: smaller reflectivity factor slope above the `rain height´ coupled with a revised empirical constant in the transmission loss equations; inclusion of melting layer scatter; improved rain height model; improved horizontal structure model for precipitation cells; consideration of correlation between the wanted and unwanted signals; and consideration of a range of terrestrial elevation angles in coordination