The growth of broadband Internet access has paved the way for the development of many newer existing technologies. As the costs of implementing broadband access soar, the best alternative will be to use wireless technologies. At a carrier frequency of about 28 GHz, the potential benefits of Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) will eventually outweigh those of its current competitors in the wired market. Since the rural communities will reap the most benefits from this technology due to its low costs, studies on the channel behavior and terrain relationships must be done.

This thesis aims to provide a preliminary study on the effects of propagating an LMDS signal over a lake surface. Currently, there is not enough information to prove the feasibility of deploying an LMDS system for this terrain. Some background on the technology and rough surface theory is provided for the reader to better understand the environment that is being investigated. Simulation results are presented as a guide to assist future researchers to conduct a field measurement campaign. A block diagram of a potential measurement system is also provided to aid in the development of the tools necessary for the measurement of an actual channel.