A comprehensive overview of Radio Propagation Models and Research of Ka, Q, V and W Bands

With the latest technological advancements in the fields of high-frequency semiconductors and test instrumentation, the focus of the radio communications research community has moved towards the millimetre wave (mm-wave) frequency bands. This paper provides a comprehensive historical overview of experimental studies and propagation modelling efforts, for both terrestrial and earth-space mm-wave links, undertaken by various international organizations. It thereby highlights the areas requiring further technical investigation. Current research interests, at frequencies in the 20-110 GHz range (for both commercial and military applications), and future research requirements (to inform the production of the international standards necessary to develop high-reliability future communications systems), are discussed. The main terrestrial and space-to-ground experimental studies, which have measured attenuation and scattering due to atmospheric gasses, hydrometeors, other particles, and scintillation fading at mm-wave frequencies, are reviewed in this paper. Experiments performed on the 500-metre Test Range at Chilbolton Observatory, UK; the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, involving the W-Cube and Alphasat satellite-beacons; and many other experiments from various radio-climatic regions, are discussed and summarised.