Nationwide 5GHz-fixed wireless network for prototype rain alarm system

Abstract

We present the first results of a nationwide experiment that uses 5GHz fixed wireless network as a rain alarm system through monitoring the changes in received signal levels. This paper proposes an alternative framework and correlation approach for rain sensing, which rely mainly on the attenuation from broadband wireless systems. Unique to this system is an automatic reporting of received signal levels coming from a central location that gathers data of one-minute resolution from SmartBro subscribers. The SmartBro wireless system is one of the largest deployments in the world composed of 5 GHz links, which may help in reinforcing rain data collection due to their ubiquity of deployment in the Philippines, with nearly 20,000 land-based antennas. To demonstrate this capability, we selected eastern seaboard cities near the Pacific Ocean with fixed wireless subscribers virtually at random, and studied the changes from baseline attenuation during strong rain events. The reckoning method comprises of (1) baselining method to determine signal loss in normal weather condition, (2) sigma scheme technique that uses the variation of the signal in order to determine rain presence. Lastly, we also made a visualization tool for highly intense precipitation events. Time series videos of signal loss in the Philippines, with plotted location-specific signal loss data were developed for key meteorological events in the past two years: of which include the Southwest Monsoon season in 2012 and the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Earth-to-Earth Microwave Rain Attenuation Measurements: A Survey On the Recent Literature

“…A research team from Ateneo de Manila University used the existing structure of 5 GHz Smart Bro fixed wireless network in the Philippines [43]. Signal levels from over 700 subscribers with one min update were used.…”

Harnessing the Radio Frequency Power Level of Cellular Terminals for Weather Parameter Sensing

“…Power loss measurements from an experimental setup operating at 2 GHz led to the creation of a rain estimation model in Greece [27]. Data from SmartBro subscribers, at 5 GHz, were employed in the Philippines for the development of a rain alarm system [28]. Studies focusing on frequencies below 10 GHz, or even lower than 5 GHz, often combined cellular terminals for signal power measurements.…”

A rain estimation model based on microwave signal attenuation measurements in the city of Ioannina, Greece

“…A nationwide experiment in the Philippines used a 5 GHz fixed wireless network as a rain alarm system for monitoring changes in the RSLs. Rainfall mapping was presented with an intensity classification scheme of 1-10, with subscribers of strong attenuation obtaining redder colours (Labuguen et al, 2015). Finally, Gustilo (2018) monitored a 400 m transmitter and receiver SmartBro link performance with 5.8 GHz operating frequency during different types of rain conditions.…”