Microwave link dual-wavelength measurements of path-average attenuation for the estimation of drop size distributions and rainfall

Microwave attenuation measurements at 25 and 38 GHz made on a 2.3-km microwave link are employed to estimate drop size distributions (DSD), rainfall rate, and rainfall accumulation. A theoretical model for the propagation of microwaves in a link system sets forth the basis for the development of a dual-wavelength analytical technique to invert two parameters of a path-average gamma DSD. The DSDs obtained from the technique are evaluated in conjunction with point measurements performed with a 2-D video disdrometer. Additionally, the DSDs yield path-average rainfall rates and rainfall accumulation which are compared with path-average measurements from a network of optical and tipping bucket rain gauges located beneath the link path, and with estimates based on empirical power law relations.