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Using the ACTS Rain Attenuation Prediction Model to
Identify and Specify Communications System
Performance Parameters
The Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Rain Attenuation Prediction Model
was used in two satellite communication scenarios. In particular, propagation links from ACTS
to and from Cleveland, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee, were considered. Software for the
model, which has existed for 5 years, is known as the NASA Lewis Research Center Satellite
Link Attenuation Model program, or LeRC-SLAM, Version 1.1. (This model and its software
implementation won the Space Act Award for 1992.) The model is applicable for any location in
the continental United States with a spatial resolution of 0.5° in both longitude and latitude. The
frequency of operation of the communications link can be within the range inclusive from 1 to
1000 GHz. Other parameters needed to use this software are reviewed in reference 1. The
analysis that is given here is for the ACTS communication links mentioned above. In addition to
the details given by this version of the LeRC-SLAM software, a new performance parameter, as
well as the associated concept of rain fade controller availability ("rain fade" refers to the
attenuation of a signal by rain), is used to optimize link performance. It is the purpose of LeRC-SLAM to demonstrate the use of these relevant parameters in the design of such communications
links.
Bibliography
Manning, R.M.: Using the ACTS Rain Attenuation Prediction Model to Identify and Specify
Communications System Performance Parameters. ACTS Results Conference, Cleveland, Ohio,
Sept. 11-13, 1995.
LeRC-SLAM (order number LEW-14979) is available from COSMIC--NASA's Software
Technology Transfer Center. Contact COSMIC by phone (706) 542-3265, by fax (706)
542-4807, or on the World Wide Web.
Find out more about ACTS.
Lewis contact: Dr. Robert M. Manning, (216) 433-6750
Headquarters program office: OSAT
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Last updated April 26, 1996
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