Detecting fog where satellite systems are limited

TL;DR

This paper explores using existing microwave communication networks to detect ground-level fog, especially in conditions where satellite systems are limited by cloud cover, offering a cost-effective monitoring alternative.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential of commercial microwave links for fog detection in challenging conditions where satellite data is unreliable or obstructed.

Findings

Microwave links can detect fog when satellites cannot due to cloud cover.

Microwave systems can differentiate between ground fog and high-altitude clouds.

The technique offers a cost-effective, real-time fog monitoring method.

Abstract

Surface level hydrometeors, and specifically fog, cause attenuation of the signal level measured by microwave communication networks. These networks operate at frequencies of tens of GHz and form the data transport infrastructure between cellular base stations. Thus, wireless communication links are, effectively, an existing fog monitoring facility. Operational costs are minimal, since the network is already deployed in the field, and measurements are already stored by many of the cellular providers for quality assurance purposes. This study shows the potential of microwave communication networks for the detection of fog in challenging conditions where satellite systems are often limited. In a first event, the ability to detect fog using commercial microwave links, at a time when the satellite cannot detect the phenomena due to high level cloud cover obscuring the ground level fog, is demonstrated. The ability of the microwave system to rule out ground level fog at times when the satellite detects a low-lying stratus cloud, but cannot identify whether it is adjacent to the ground or at higher elevations above it, is demonstrated in a second event. The results indicate the operative potential of this technique to assist end users in reliable decision making that have highly important economic and safety implications.