Multiple satellites diversity characteristics in snowing climate and system application for 14/12 GHz band

This paper deals with multiple satellite diversity (Sat. D) characteristics using six different orbital position satellites in a snowing climate. Six down-link signals are measured by a spectrum analyzer and diversity gains are obtained by a Sat. D simulation program. Diversity gains for all satellite combinations are examined and it can be clarified that there are two kinds of diversity characteristics, i.e., a good diversity characteristics case and a poor diversity characteristics case. These results are caused by the difference in satellite transponder characteristics, differences in snow cloud movement, topographical conditions near the Earth-station and wind-direction etc. Furthermore, satellite transponder utilization strategies for the Sat. D system are considered. By using the advantage of long distance site-diversity characteristics, transponder sharing between a large number of Earth-stations in the system can be achieved. In this case, only a small number of the Sat. D transponders (almost 10:1) is sufficient for the Sat. D system.