Tropical rainfall drop‐size distribution

Abstract Based on disdrometer measurements carried out in Brazil, this paper discusses the problem of rainfall drop‐size distribution in tropical areas and its effect on radiowave propagation at frequencies above 10 GHz. A comparison between Laws and Parsons and lognormal models is made. In spite of the best fit to the experimental data shown by the lognormal distribution, in the range from 10 to 20 GHz there is no significant difference between the two models. However, as the frequency increases this difference becomes larger and may be an important source of error in the design of both terrestrial and satellite links in low‐latitude regions. Similar results from Nigeria (Africa) are also taken into account.