Tomography applied to radiobase network for real time estimation of the rainfall rate fields

Recently, we proposed a novel remote sensing method for rainfall rate estimation in real time by means of tomographic processing applied to power attenuation measurements made across the microwave links defined by radiobase station networks for mobile communication systems. In this paper we analyze the results of a new tomographic algorithm that has been specifically developed for the typical topology of the urban radiobase station networks. Such algorithm has been tested on simulated specific attenuation (K) maps based on true polarimetric weather radar data. We considered 18, 23, and 38 GHz for the carrier frequencies of the radiobase network and the weather data gathered by the POLAR 55C polarimetric radar located in Rome.

► The rainfall maps are estimated by converting the K band specific attenuation maps.
► The specific attenuation maps are estimated by means of tomographic algorithms.
► A new tomographic algorithm has been applied to urban link radio base networks.
► The algorithm has been tested on simulated maps based on true weather radar data.