Applicability of the γ–R Relationship in Rainfall Measurement With Microwave Link Under Tilted Conditions: A Simulation Analysis

Microwave links as a novel method of rainfall monitoring have been extensively studied over the last two decades. Still, the applicability of $\gamma $ (rain-induced attenuation rate)– $R$ (rain rate) relationship in quantitative rainfall inversion with microwave link under tilted conditions has not been systematically investigated to date. With the establishment of rain-induced attenuation fields based on multiple sets of measured raindrop spectral profile data from micro-rain radar, microwave links under various tilted conditions are simulated and the performance of $\gamma - R$ relationship in inversion of rain rate is theoretically analyzed. Afterward, the effects of link height, tilt angle, and rainfall reference point variations on the rainfall inversion performance are discussed in depth from the theoretical and data analysis perspectives. Furthermore, the connection between the study and the satellite-ground link-based rainfall measurement technique is mapped. Finally, the applicability analysis to different regions and the introduction of errors is also investigated.