Path-averaged rainfall estimation using microwave links: Uncertainty due to spatial rainfall variability

Alexis Berne*, R. Uijlenhoet

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Microwave links can be used to estimate the path-averaged rain rate along the link when precipitation occurs. They take advantage of the near proportionality between the specific attenuation affecting the link signal and the rain rate. This paper deals with the influence of the spatial variability of rainfall along the link on the accuracy of the rainfall estimates. We focus on single-polarization single-frequency links operating at frequencies ranging from 5 to 50 GHz and with path lengths ranging from 500 m to 30 km. A stochastic simulation framework is used to investigate the frequency at which the linearity occurs (found to be about 30 GHz) for intense Mediterranean precipitation. In addition, the error associated with path-averaged rain rate estimates is being quantified. For instance, the bias is found to be in the order of -15% with an uncertainty of about 10% for microwave links described in the recent literature.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberL07403
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume34
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

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