Depolarization due to raindrops and ice particles along Ka-band satellite communication path

The authors demonstrate that excessive depolarization compared with raindrop-induced cross-polarization discrimination is due to enhancement of ice crystal layers along the propagation path, which primarily occurs in the cold season. To visualize this phenomenon, the proportion of ice crystal layers to raindrop layers is directly measured by weather radar systems. Preliminary theoretical consideration indicates that additional depolarization in ice crystal layers should be expected to go at most down to 30 dB in every season for comparably light rains (<10 mm/h).<>