Implementation of Rain and Gaseous Attenuation Models For 26-30 GHz KA-Band Communication

Analyses have shown that there is an increasing interest on Ka-Band usage for satellite missions. In addition to the usage of Ka-Band for a geostationary relay satellite there are already plans to install a Ka-Band terminal on the European module (Columbus) of ISS. An own Ka-Band antenna at Weilheim Ground Station of DLR (German Aerospace Center) assures a direct access to satellites using Ka-band and offers an opportunity to co-operate with international partners in a worldwide Ka-Band antenna network. One of the responsibilities of DLR is to provide continuous and reliable high data rate links to/from spacecrafts and the ISS. Since the high data rate communication link is one of the initial requirements of future space missions, the Ka-band was decided to be used in near future for communications to a potential geostationary relay satellite. In addition to the geostationary mission it is envisaged to analyse the Kaband usage for potential moon missions. This paper covers a study of Ka-band attenuation due to rain and atmospheric gases and implements the ITU model in Matlab code for Weilheim Ground Station.