Simulation-based error analysis for the path-averaged rainfall rate estimated from the rain attenuation

A radio propagation experiment at the Okinawa Radio Observatory of the: Communications Research Laboratory is investigating the feasibility of calibrating the spaceborne precipitation radar onboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission by using the path-averaged rainfall rate estimated from rain attenuation. Because this estimated rainfall rate has errors due to the spatial inhomogeneity of rainfall rate and the variability of raindrop size distribution, we used distrometer data to evaluate both of these errors by computer simulation.