Investigating the Impact of Weather Parameters on Signal Strength of Satellite Dish in Enugu Metropolis

Abstract

This research evaluates the impact of weather parameter (temperature, pressure, humidity and wind speed) on satellite dishes and how it affects the quality of reception it gives using the data obtained from the Automated Weather Station and Signal Strength in Enugu State University of Science and Technology. The atmospheric components and signal strength were measured every two minutes daily in different months, on different days, and at a different time of the day from the station for period of nine months. The average results of these measurements were then taken and the data obtained from the measurements were tabulated and subsequently plotted in a graph to ascertain the variation in signal strength triggered by change in temperature, humidity, pressure and wind speed. It was observed from this research that the rise in atmospheric temperature, humidity and pressure will lead to a drop in strength of the signal generated by this station and vice versa. This indicated that signal strength is inversely proportional to atmospheric temperature, pressure and humidity; provided that for any of the giving components, others were observed constant, including the wind speed and direction which affects the positioning of satellite dishes. The correlation of the signal strength and atmospheric temperature, pressure and humidity were respectively r=-0.93, -0.97 and -0.92. It was observed that the atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure and wind speed are mathematically inversely related.

Effects of some weather variables on the signal strength of Maloney FM radio, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

“…The increase in humidity in these months compared to March also contributed to the decrease in temperature, and by implication, increase in the signal strength. This result conforms with the works of [ 11 , 14 , 15 , 13 ,&6]] in which the signal strength recorded was found to be inversely proportional to temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure, and directly proportional with relative humidity in their separate research works done in Benin city-Edo State, Enugu State, and Jos, Plateau State respectively.…”

“…Though some related works have been done such as the works by Refs. [ [12] , [13] , [14] ] in Benin city [ 15 ], in Enugu state [ 5 ] in Abuja and Jos, no work has been done on this radio station, Maloney FM Radio, Keffi since it was established in 2016, hence, making this research work very necessary.…”

Rainfall’s Symphony: Understanding Its Influence on Communication Systems in Nigeria

“…The attenuation caused by rainfall depends on various factors, such as the intensity of the rain, the size and shape of raindrops, and the distance between the transmitting and receiving antennas [4,5]. The effect of heavy or intense rainfall is more pronounced in tropical and subtropical regions where the frequency and intensity of rain occurrences are higher [5][6][7].…”

“…It has been observed that the size distribution of raindrops can vary depending on the geographical location, which in turn strongly influences the specific attenuation caused by rainfall and, consequently, the overall rain attenuation [8,9]. Rainfall intensity, on the other hand, can also vary significantly depending on the location and meteorological conditions, further impacting the extent of signal degradation caused by rainfall [7,10]. Furthermore, rainfall can also affect the polarization of the electromagnetic wave as it propagates through raindrops [5].…”

“…This change in polarization can further contribute to signal degradation and a reduction in the quality of the received signal. Moreover, the magnitude of rain attenuation is also influenced by other parameters, such as rain temperature, drop velocity, drop orientation, and transmitting frequency [7]. This is particularly relevant in areas with high rainfall rates, such as Nigeria, where excessive rainfall is a common occurrence throughout the year.…”