Since wireless service providers have to overcome a global bandwidth shortage, one
of the main concepts of future 5th generation wireless systems is the application
of the millimeter wave bands that offers a larger channel bandwidth than actual wireless
networks. However, propagation of the wireless signal in the millimeter wave spectrum
is different from the spectrum of the currently applied 2G, 3G and 4G networks. For
microwave telecommunications links that are operating above 10 GHz one of the most
harmful circumstantial factors is the attenuation caused by precipitation, especially
by rain. Recent studies indicate that future cellular 5G networks will apply a cell-radius
of 200 meters. Detailed analysis of the effects of path loss caused by multipath delay
spread can be found in relevant literature, however effects of rain attenuation on
these short links is less studied. Moreover, a non-constant climate indicates special
considerations for the planning of 5G networks, therefore attenuation caused by precipitation
needs to be investigated. In this paper effects of the varying climate and varying
precipitation distribution on the performance of millimeter wave 5G networks is investigated
on the basis of the data provided by a millimeter wave measurement system that is
operating at our premises.
