Precipitation Monitoring via Microwave Signal Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current environmental monitoring systems for precipitation events lack the ability to provide high-definition space-time representation of precipitation phenomena, failing to accurately identify weather conditions in space and time, which is crucial for predicting hydrogeological risks associated with sudden and intense precipitation events.
Innovation Solution
The system processes data from multiple pairs of antennas to discretize the observation zone into sub-zones, calculating precipitation intensity and estimating spatial and temporal trends using historical data, and incorporates additional meteorological data to enhance accuracy and reliability, providing a radial representation similar to weather radar systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single satellite transmitter and receiver pair is used to measure precipitation attenuation, then the system can provide integral precipitation data along the path, but it cannot provide high-definition space-time representation or precise identification of weather conditions in space and time
Solution Approach 1:
The observation zone is divided into multiple sub-zones (rainxels) through spatial discretization. Each sub-zone is associated with precipitation intensity values derived from multiple antenna pairs, transforming a single integral measurement into distributed localized measurements that preserve space-time information
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional path-integrated measurements to two-dimensional spatial mapping by introducing multiple antenna pairs observing from different directions. This dimensional expansion enables reconstruction of precipitation distribution across the observation zone with high spatial and temporal resolution
2Measurement precision
If multiple pairs of antennas are used to discretize the observation zone into sub-zones, then high-definition space-time representation can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple antenna pairs share common infrastructure including the central processing unit, data communication networks, and power supply systems. Each antenna pair performs the same measurement function but from different spatial locations, enabling high-resolution mapping without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes existing satellite transmission signals as measurement probes, eliminating the need for dedicated active transmitters at each antenna location. The passive reception of satellite signals by multiple antenna pairs provides the necessary measurement data without requiring complex active transmission systems at each node
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise identification of weather conditions and environmental risks, allowing for better forecasting and alert systems, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of environmental monitoring and risk assessment.
Implementation Method 1
the precipitation intensity is determined along a path between a transmitter placed on a satellite and a receiver, by measuring the attenuation which the electromagnetic radiation transmitted along said path has been subjected to
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
Object of the invention is a system for the environmental monitoring of precipitation events, comprising a central unit and one or more remote measuring units operatively connected to the central unit, in which the measuring unit or units comprise: - at least one receiver adapted to receive a radio signal transmitted by one or more microwave transmitters and to measure the power of the electrical signal generated by the reception of the radio signal; a transmitting system to transmit to the central unit a datum associated with the measured power, a piece of information about the transmitter from which the radio signal was received and a piece of information about the measuring unit, and wherein the central unit comprises: - a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the remote measuring unit or units; - a processor unit operatively connected to the receiver to calculate, on the basis of the data transmitted by the remote measuring unit or units, the attenuation of the radio signal that crosses an observation zone from a plurality of different directions identified by each measuring unit/microwave transmitter pair and to reconstruct the spatial distribution of the precipitation events in that zone. Further object of the invention is a corresponding method for the environmental monitoring.