Rain attenuation in millimeter wave, centimeter wave and visible light ranges

Abstract

The paper presents the results of theoretical simulation of mmWave, cmWave and visible light attenuation in rain based on the Mie scattering theory. Specific rain attenuation has been estimated from the gamma drop size distribution for a spherical drop. Rain attenuation of electromagnetic waves in the visible range, used by video cameras and lidars of «smart» city vehicles, and at the beginning of the millimeter wave range used by radars and positioning systems, have similar values averaging 3-5 dB/km. The attenuation levels of electromagnetic waves in mmWave, cmWave and Visible light ranges must be taken into account when calculating the energy budget of vehicle communications.