PREDICTION OF SCINTILLATION EFFECTS ON SATELLITE-COMMUNICATIONS ABOVE10 GHZ

The paper describes a model which predicts the effects of tropospheric turbulence on communication systems. Turbulent eddies are represented by cells crossing the Fresnel's zones of the earth-space link, with p arameters determined from the physics of clouds and ground meteorologi cal measurements. From this representation, the transfer function of t he turbulent atmosphere is calculated as a function of the parameters of the liaison; as well as the corresponding scintillation. An inversi on process then synthesises a turbulent layer statistically compatible with the actually measured scintillation, and from which the effects on communication systems can be evaluated. The inversion process is va lidated by data measured on the Olympus satellite of the European Spac e Agency. Hence, from scintillation measured on a satellite beacon at one frequency, a turbulent layer is synthesised, which yields the pred iction of scintillation at other frequencies with other antennas, as w ell as the effect on any communication link, analogue or digital.