Future Terrestrial Communication Links Attenuation Synthesis based on Crane and ITU Rain Models at Microwave and Millimeter-wave links

Abstract

Rain- induced attenuation is one of the most critical impairments for terrestrial wireless links operating above 10 GHz. With the rapid deployment of 5G, the emergence of 6G, and the increasing demand for back- haul and fronthaul services in the millimetre- wave (mm- wave) spectrum (30–300 GHz), accurate prediction of rain attenuation becomes essential for reliable network planning and adaptive link- budget design. With the rapid evolution of terrestrial communication systems, especially highcapacity microwave and millimeter-wave links, precise prediction of rain-induced signal attenuation has become increasingly crucial. As next-generation networks transition toward higher frequencies (e.g., above 10 GHz), atmospheric impairments such as rain attenuation significantly affect system reliability and link availability. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis between two prominent rain attenuation models: the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) model and the Crane Global Model. Through theoretical exploration, simulaton and practical implementation, with a case study utilizing real-time rainfall data, we evaluate the atenuation estimation of both models across various frequencies, path lengths, rain rates, elvation angle andtilt agle askey parameters. The results show that models exhibit strong frequency dependence, with attenuation increasing as frequency and rain rate increases. However, the rate of increase and the coefficients involved differ, necessitating careful consideration when choosing a model for specific applications.