The millimeter wave E-Band spectrum was made available for broadband wireless communication by the FCC in 2003. This band consists of the 71-76, 81-86 and 92-95 GHz frequencies. This band features low oxygen absorption but the signals may be attenuated by precipitation, small water droplets and particulates. Our study seeks to determine how these signals may be disrupted by atmospheric hydrometeors along the signal path.

Two sets of transmitters have been deployed 8.72 km apart on and near the University of Kansas campus. These transmitters operate at 70 GHz. We wish to see how the quality of these transmissions is affected in a variety of different weather conditions. We are interested not only in precipitation events but also in haze, mist and fog which are not accompanied by measurable precipitation. Along and nearby the millimeter wave transmission path, we have set up 5 stations to make surface meteorological observations. These stations measure temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction. Precipitation at each one of these stations will be determined from tipping buckets. Two more tipping buckets have been deployed at two other locations. In addition, two disdrometers have been deployed along the transmission path. The ASOS at the Lawrence airport is also within the study domain. The locations of these instruments are shown in Fig. 1. This study area is situated approximately midway between National Weather Service radars at Pleasant Hill, MO and Topeka, KS. We plan to integrate the data from these radars with those we collect with the instruments we have set up. A video camera is also deployed to create a record of visibility and other events which may affect the transmissions.

In addition to describing our experimental set up for this unusual application, we expect to be able to present some preliminary results at the meeting.