Radiowave Propagation at Ka-band (20/30 GHz) for Satellite Communication in High-Latitude Regions

Atmospheric impairments are a major obstacle in satellite communications at Ka-band in high latitude regions. This report gives a short summary of the existing models that can be used to model the impairments. Further a simple measurement system based on satellite beacon reception is designed using locally available and off-the-shelf components as well as locally manufactured ones. Performance of the components as well as of the whole system is examined and found to be in agreement with the expected values with overall system figure of merit (G/T) of 21 dB/K. Data from 25 days of measurements are presented and compared with model predictions. The comparison points to possible deficiencies in some of the system components that should be assessed for further use. Most notably low amplitude accuracy of the spectrum analyzer and a low sampling rate of the data acquisition system. Preface This thesis is written as the final part of Master of Science degree in Electronics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. A study into the atmospheric effects and their models over the whole Norway was done in autumn 2008 and some of the theoretical work is included in this thesis. I would like to thank professor Odd Gutteberg for his help with many aspects of this thesis, Terje Mathiesen for help with measurement and instrumentation, Tore Landsem and Tore Berg for manufacturing of components, and finally Lars Homb and Svein Andreas Skyttemyr for information about antenna components and feedhorn blueprints. Martin Rytíř Trondheim, 25.06.2009