ERA15 climatological databases for propagation modelling

The study presented in this paper is aimed at improving the global climatological database currently distributed by ITU-R and producing new radioclimatological databases to be used as input of new or improved propagation models. The databases described in this paper have been produced by using the ECMWF reanalysis dataset ERA15, and improvements with respect to number and type of parameters, temporal resolution (yearly monthly and hourly) and statistical range of validity has been obtained. Both clear air and rain parameters statistics have been calculated on a yearly, monthly and hourly basis. The databases have been compared with radiosoundings data (FERAS database available to ESA), and radiometric measurements and their accuracy has been tested.