Q/V band satellite channel prediction techniques: Performance evaluation based on alphasat aldo paraboni P/L experimental data

Currently the use of Ka-band is the benchmark for high throughput satellite communications commercial application, while Q/V band is under scientific investigation through a European experimental campaign. The use of EHF, in particular Q/V-band and W-band, is one of the main methods to increase the system throughput, exploiting the large bandwidth availability. In a short-term scenario, these frequencies will be used in the feeder link, while Ka-band will be used in the user link to maintain user terminal backward compatibility. In a long-term scenario, “beyond Ka-band” frequencies could be used both in the user and feeder links. It is well known that the drawbacks of radio-waves propagation at these frequencies are the high impairments caused by the lower part of the atmosphere (troposphere), hence, research activities on troposphere propagation impairments mitigation techniques (PIMT) are needed. PIMT are able to dynamically adapt the system resources to the channel conditions and their control loop is based on the use of channel status estimators. In this paper, different channel short-term prediction techniques will be presented and optimized on the basis of real Q/V band experimental data collected during the current Q/V-band satellite communication experimental campaign of Italian Space Agency (performed through the Aldo Paraboni P/L, embarked on Alphasat).