Microwave Radiometer Water Vapor Observation with Cloud Liquid Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave radiometers face challenges in accurately observing water vapor amounts due to interference from cloud liquid water, as they receive electromagnetic waves that include both water vapor and cloud liquid water signals, making it difficult to distinguish and measure water vapor effectively.
Innovation Solution
A microwave radiometer with a vertically upward horn and processing circuitry that generates water vapor and cloud liquid water data, calculates water vapor amounts, and applies correction values based on cloud liquid water data, while also removing rain or snow to improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microwave radiometer receives electromagnetic waves to observe water vapor, then water vapor observation is enabled, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to interference from cloud liquid water signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electromagnetic wave spectrum into multiple frequency bands, with specific frequencies assigned to detect water vapor signals and others to detect cloud liquid water signals. By separating the detection of different atmospheric components into distinct frequency channels, the system can independently measure and subsequently subtract cloud liquid water interference from total precipitation measurements, thereby improving water vapor observation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cloud liquid water detection as an intermediary measurement to eliminate its interfering effect. By using specific frequency bands to detect cloud liquid water content separately, the system creates a mediator variable that can be used to correct the total precipitation measurement, isolating the pure water vapor signal.
2Area of stationary object
If a horn antenna receives electromagnetic waves from all directions, then the observation coverage is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inclusion of unwanted signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electromagnetic spectrum into multiple frequency bands that can be processed independently. Each frequency band is assigned to detect specific atmospheric components (water vapor, cloud liquid water), allowing the system to maintain broad observational coverage while achieving precise measurement of individual components through spectral separation.
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
Enables accurate and easy observation of water vapor amounts by considering the influence of cloud liquid water, enhancing measurement precision and reliability by using cloud liquid water data to correct water vapor calculations and removing interfering precipitation.
Implementation Method 1
When water vapor is observed by a microwave radiometer using the emission of electromagnetic waves from water vapor in the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave radiometer includes an electromagnetic wave transmission surface, a vertically upward horn configured to receive an electromagnetic wave passing through the electromagnetic wave transmission surface and processing circuitry configured to generate water vapor spectrum data relating to water vapor based on the electromagnetic wave received by the horn, generate cloud liquid water data relating to cloud liquid water based on the electromagnetic wave received by the horn, and calculate a water vapor amount by using the water vapor spectrum data and the cloud liquid water data.