Speaker: Prof. Defeng Huang

Time and Date: 10:00-11:00 pm, November 12, 2018

Place: Room B415 of Computing Center Building, Handan Campus, Fudan University

Abstract:

The attenuation of microwave signals through the atmosphere, particularly a rainfall field, can be used to measure the atmosphere. Three years ago, we made a hypothesis that, by using microwave signals from broadband Low Earth Orbit satellites for the Internet services, 3D tomographic reconstruction of rainfall may be achieved with cheap ground receivers.

To verify the hypothesis, we proposed to use the estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the ground receivers for LEO satellites to indirectly estimate the path-integrated rain attenuation of the microwave communication links. Least-squares algorithms were then employed to perform the 3D tomographic reconstruction of the rain field. The proposed system model consisted of an LEO satellite with a realistic overpass trajectory and multiple ground receivers with SNR estimators. Using several synthetic rain events, extensive simulations were carried out to test the reconstruction outcome.

Our research has shown that, by using microwave signals from an LEO satellite, multiple ground receivers can work together to achieve 3D measurements with resolution and coverage unachievable before, thereby paving the way for innovative water related applications such as in hydrology and agriculture and improving our understanding of many rainfall related phenomena including extreme weather, floods, landslides, and the spread of water-borne diseases.

Biography:
黄德丰博士在清华大学电子系获得工学学士和工学硕士学位，并在硕士毕业后留校任教至2005年，留校期间有三年时间（2001-2004）在香港科技大学电子和电气工程系攻读博士并获博士学位。2005年他加入西澳大利亚大学，现在是该校电机电子和计算机工程系教授。他过去的主要研究方向是数字通信工程包括无线通信和水声通信。