Fluctuations on the OTS-Earth link, correlated with two-frequency radiometry

In view of the large number of copolar fluctuation peaks observed on both beacon levels at Lessive and Louvain-la-Neuve, a more extensive study of the fluctuations through the whole year is reported. The observation of the fluctuation events during nearly two years leads to the conclusion that the fluctuations are due to the presence of clouds with a relatively low water content since the temperature increase of the 35 GHz radiometer is only of a few tens of degrees. These clouds lie in the lower part of the atmosphere. Fluctuations are often accompanied by attenuation which makes the events more difficult to analyse. A deeper study of the atmospheric mechanisms will lead to a more accurate understanding of the meteorological phenomena.