Microwave Signal Attenuation in Harmattan Weather Along Calabar-Akampkpa Line-of-Sight Link

Authors : O E EYO, A İ MENKITI, S O UDO

Pages : 153-160

View : 16 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Line-of-sight insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LOS); attenuation at 6.44GHz was measured at Calabar insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4° 58` N, 8° 17` E); for ten months insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Aug `93-May `94); using the Nigerian Telecommunications radio signal. The measurement was made with the intent of highlighting microwave signal attenuation in Harmattan weather conditions. The results are presented in terms of mean signal level and fog attenuation, fade rate distribution, fade depth distribution and scintillation index. The observed attenuation values due to Harmattan insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(fog); and the calculated insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(using Altshuler`s model); are in fairly good agreement. Also, the statistics of fade distribution show fast fading of longer duration of the order of 15 to 38 fades per hour during this period insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Harmattan);. This shows that microwave LOS link in this region and regions with similar climatic characteristics are prone to signal degradation as well as fading in the Harmattan season.
Keywords : Harmattan, Radio signal, Fog attenuation, Statistics of fade, Calabar