Abstract: The attenuation and the two-frequency mutual coherence function (Γ) for millimeter wave propagation in the sand and dust storm are studied. According to the log-normal size distribution of the sand particles, the millimeter wave attenuations induced by the sand and dust storm of different water contents are studied by the Mie theory and the effective permittivity method. On considering particles size distribution and effective permittivity, the Γ differential equation is solved using the analysis and Fourier transform technique. The Γ solution is numerically analyzed. The influence of the sand and dust storm for different water contents on Γ is studied. It is shown that the attenuation evidently increases with the water content in sand particles increasing, when the water content is over 1.00％. Generally, the attenuation can only be neglected for the electromagnetic wave frequency below 10GHz. The influence of the sand and dust storm on Γ is smaller below 100GHz, but the influence of the water content change on Γ is relatively obvious. At 220GHz, the influence on Γ is apparent, but the change of the influence is small with the change of the water content. Therefore, for the exploitation and application channel of higher millimeter wave band, the attenuation and the influence on Γ induced by the sand and dust storm need be considered.

Key words: millimeter wave, sand and dust storm, effective permittivity, attenuation, two-frequency mutual coherence function