The impact of ice along satellite‐to‐earth paths on 11‐GHz depolarization statistics

Abstract

This paper summarizes measurements of ice depolarization made using a unique facility consisting of a dual‐site (7.3‐km site spacing), dual‐circularly polarized, low‐elevation angle (10.7°) receiving system for the SIRIO 11.6‐GHz beacon. Significant depolarization (cross‐polar discrimination as low as 10 dB) in the absence of attenuation occurred relatively frequently. However, the impact of the ice on the cross‐polar discrimination statistics for a 6‐month time period was small.