Dense millimeter-wave networks are a promising candidate for next-generation cellular systems enabling multiple gigabit-per-second data rates. A major disadvantage of millimeter-wave systems is signal disruption by rain, and here we propose a novel method for rain sensing using dual-frequency measurements at 25 and 38GHz from a small-scale Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) millimeter-wave network. A real-time algorithm is developed for estimating the rain rate from attenuation using both ITU-R relationships and new coefficients that consider the effects of the rain Drop Size Distribution (DSD). The suggested procedure is tested on measured data, and its performance is evaluated. The results show that the proposed algorithm yields estimates that agree very well with rain gauge data.

This paper presents a dual-frequency microstrip antenna for both 2 GHz and 5 GHz for a dual-band receiver. For a simple structure and low cost design, the microstrip feed circuit is designed on the same substrate as the antenna elements. Each antenna element is directly fed by the microstrip line, and the open stubs are loaded on the feed line of 2 GHz to suppress the higher order mode resonances between 2 GHz and 5 GHz. The feed line length of each antenna is adjusted so as to change it to the open condition at the other element frequency at the feed point. In addition, we propose the antenna structure in which two antenna elements for 2 GHz are split and placed at either sides of the 5 GHz antenna to coincide with the center positions of each antenna element. We investigate the proposed antenna by calculations and measurements to show the combiner free design for the dual band antenna.