Microwave radio meteorology: Diurnal fading distributions

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Abstract
The diurnal variation in the occurrence of fading on a terrestrial line‐of‐sight microwave radio system is studied using a 1‐year data set collected at Palmetto, Georgia. Six‐gigahertz signals transmitted over 31‐ and 57‐km paths are monitored, as well as meteorological parameters at 7.6‐, 38.1‐, and 93.3‐m elevations on the Palmetto receiver tower. Diurnal distributions of fading are compiled, and their changes with fade level, season, and path length are studied; comparisons are also made with published distributions measured elsewhere. It is found that diurnal fading distribution widths can be approximated by the sum of 3.5 hours plus the June 20 sunset‐sunrise time interval for the site latitude. The seasonal variation in daily fading onset and termination times is studied. It is found that 93% of the 20‐dB fading episodes terminate by 2.5 hours after sunrise throughout the year. Observations on all of the data are interpreted in terms of current knowledge of the diurnal evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer.

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