DETECTOR AND RAINFALL METER BASED ON ELETROMAGNETIC WAVE PROPAGATION

Objective : This work aims to present different forms of rainfall measurement and detection, implement precipitation sensors based on the propagation of electromagnetic waves phenomenon's, and finally get the best mathematical model for a sensor according to the concepts of energy scattering and noise temperature. Methods : A literature review concerning precipitation detection and measurement was initially performed. Then the rain attenuation and the dispersion phenomenon in the raindrops were studied. A research was also done observing the calculation of the rain attenuation, and so it was used different equations regarding the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the studies of other researchers. The mathematical models allowed implementing some algorithms in the Matlab® software and then observing the attenuation behavior when some parameters are changed such as the precipitation rate, the transmission frequency and the length of the connection. After that it will be implemented a prototype system working at 12GHz and apply the mathematical concepts to validate its operation as a sensor. Results : From the ITU, P.530-7, P.530-10 and P.530-16 recommendations, it was possible to obtain several plotted graphs and observe the behavior of the attenuation rain when increase and decrease the precipitation rate, the transmission frequency and the length of the connection parameters. All the simulations were being done to choose the best mathematical model for our system. Conclusion : With the antenna system in operation and with the best model, it is believed that it is possible to get an efficient sensor with good accuracy to measure the amount of rainfall.