Availability and performance of single/multiple site diversity satellite systems under rain fades

An analysis is presented for the evaluation of the probability of error ach ieved by single/multiple site diversity systems taking into account rain at tenuation. A systematic method is proposed relating rain attenuation statis tics to BER performance masks recommended by ITU for satellite links. The e fficiency of site diversity as a countermeasure against severe rain attenua tion is investigated for various frequency bands and climatic regions. Sing le site systems are compared to double and triple site diversity systems.