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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L99081/01
Title: PREDICTION OF RADIO PROPAGATION FACTORS FROM TROPOSPHERIC WATER VAPOUR MEASUREMENTS USING GPS
Principal Investigator: Watson, Professor P
Other Investigators:
Szymanski, Dr JE
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Organisation: University of Bath
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 1998 Ends: 30 September 2001 Value (£): 249,560
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
RF & Microwave Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
New techniques with potential for characterising the topospheric vertical radio refractivity profile are to be explored, specifically using radio-delay-tomography on signals from the satellites of the Global positioning System (GPS), combined with low-angle delay measurements. Also the long term accuracy and availability with which zenith integrated water vapour content, statistics of scintillation intensity and millimetre-wave path loss can be estimated using GPS, will be assessed. Comparisons will be made against a 93 ghz radiometer at York (combined with rain and cloud detectors) and 20, 30 and 50 Ghz radiometers plus a beacon receiver at RAL. Diagnostic information on causes of error will also be in evidence from the tomographic studies. The idea of GPS for tropospheric water vapour measurement arose as a result of a nuisance factor in very precise positioning studies. Short-term, but promising measurements, were demonstrated in 1995 but the technique is yet to be established in terms of accuracy and availability. So far as we are aware this is the first implementation of ground-based tomography for vertical profiling of water vapour and the first study attempting, by taking additional GPS measurements, to extend the technique to permit prediction of radio refractivity profiles.
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Organisation Website: http://www.bath.ac.uk