Statistical intensity of amplitude scintillations on Earth-space X-band link

Amplitude fluctuation measurements made on a 30° of elevation earth-space link at 11.6 GHz using the Orbital Test Satellite transmissions are described. Results on the intensity and cumulative distribution of the scintillations between 0.01 Hz and 14 Hz are presented and show that for percentages of time less than 20% the peak amplitude deviations from the mean exceed the values derived using a log-normal distribution and the average r.m.s. value. For greater time percentages the agreement with a log-normal distribution is good.