Methods and apparatus for passive tropospheric measurments utilizing a single band of frequencies adjacent to a selected millimeter wave water vapor line

摘要

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for passive millimeter wave measurements to provide tropospheric profiles of temperature, water vapor, cloud liquid water, pressure, and refractivity utilizing a single band microwave receiver operating in the vicinity of the water vapor emission line centered at 183.31 GHz or other millimeter wave water vapor line. Ancillary meteorological measurements may be provided to refine profile outputs. Retrieval method training adapts and refines system output to provide useful information for weather nowcasting and forecasting, aviation safety, transport of pollutants, prediction of fog and other weather phenomena, and radar and optical ducting prediction.