Title of Invention	A SENSOR AND DATA LOGGER BASED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME MONITORING, PROCESSING AND PREDICTION OF WEATHER INFORMATION
Abstract	A system and a method for real time monitoring and processing of weather data said system comprising: at least a field unit for the acquistion of weather parameter signals and processing of the signals, and at least a data receicving station to receive the processed signals from the repective field unit further processing, display and disscmination of weather information. The present invention also provides a pressure sensor for sensing of atmospherie pressure.

Title of Invention

A SENSOR AND DATA LOGGER BASED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME MONITORING, PROCESSING AND PREDICTION OF WEATHER INFORMATION

Abstract

A system and a method for real time monitoring and processing of weather data said system comprising: at least a field unit for the acquistion of weather parameter signals and processing of the signals, and at least a data receicving station to receive the processed signals from the repective field unit further processing, display and disscmination of weather information. The present invention also provides a pressure sensor for sensing of atmospherie pressure.

Full Text	A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC COLLECTION, REAL-TIM K MONITORING AND PROCESSING OF WEATHER DATA Technical Held The present invention relates to a system and method lor real lime collection, monitoring and processing of weather data. Background and prior art Weather monitoring and prediction is a veiy important aspect in today's technologically developed world. The Weather information is especially critical for people who depend on weather for their livelihood, like the farmers and agriculturalists. Farmers who operate in hilly regions, grow specialized crops, and depend upon irrigation. If accurate weather monitoring is achieved, then they can plan their activities based on the predicted weather conditions. I lowe\ er, they can significantly improve their output, if they have more specific weather in ibrmation. An example of ho•/ important weather predictions are can be seen in the case of citrus grooves where citrus crops arc grown. In the citrus grooves, even a one-degree difference in the temperature other than the temperature required can ruin the crop totally. Therefore, weather monitoring and prediction techniques art used to accurately prcdict the weather conditions. Once the weather prediction is accurate, accordingly the farmers can dccidc whether they need to use extra machinery to provide necessary warmth to the crops. This rcducis the expenses, because running the machines on every cold night would be too costly. Another example where specialized weather monitoring and prediction is required is for crops that arc cntitoly dependent upon irrigation. Knowledge of exact weather conditions in the fields can he p optimize the use of irrigation. In addition to theii use lo farmers and agriculturists, general weather information is also useful for comnu n people. Therefore a necessity was felt for monitoring weather information over lurgc areas of land. For achieving the weather information over a large area, a number of weather stations are placed at different locations. These weather stations are usually located at prominent places like airports, universities, etc. All these different weather stations accumulate weather information and this information is processed to predit t weather information for these areas. The raw data from each weather station is brought together by different means, to a central location where it is processed into useful information. Maps are created summarizing the information for continents, nations, states and portions of states. This general weather information is of utmost value to people who ure planning their days based on the weather conditions and also weather influenced companies like airlines, shipping lines and trucking companies which are planning their depa/ture and routes over vast distances. Genera! weather information is also useful to farmers who operate in flat areas including the planes and prairies where they grow commodity crops such as wheal, corn, soya beans and forage crops that are only minimally influenced by weather on any given day. US Patent 592082/ describes a wireless weather station for measuring a number of weather parameters over an extended time at a data collection location. The weather data can be transmitted to a remote location using lesser power and apparently real-time continuous transmission. The sensor assembly is positioned at the dala collecting locations and powered by a solar rechargeable battery backup. US Patent 5717589 describes a real-time weather tracking and prediction of future movements of weather. The method provided here is made of steps of integration of real¬time weather dala rom sources, combining this data with geographical information and then integrating tht real-time weather and geographical data to compute and display the prcdictcd and expei ted movement of the weather conditions. US Patent 6330519 provides a visibility sensor system, which includes a housing having a sensor head opcr ing. A removable sensor head assembly is removably coupled to the housing within the tensor head opening. The sensor head assembly has a sensor enclosure and a connector. \n electronics module is coupled to the sensor head through the connector. A rain s insor determines the presence of rain and causes shutters to cover the openings in the sen >or enclosure. Objects of the present invention The Primary objec: of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for automatic weather data collection, real time monitoring, and processing of weather dala. An object of the j'resent invention is to provide a system and a method by adapting sensors for belter ooscrvation and sensing of weather information. Another object of I he present invention is to provide a system and a method with a data lugger for collectinj, and processing of weather data. Jt is also an object i>f the present invention to provide a system and a method for accurate and real-time prcdit tion of the weaiher conditions tor a vast areu. Brief description or the drawings Fig I depicts the Mock diagrammatic representation of the real time monitoring and processing of weather data. Fig 2 depicts the hardware architecture of the data logger of the present invention. Fig 3 is a context k vel diagram of the data logger of the present invention. Klg 4 is a schematic expression of an interface between a user and the data logger. Fig 5 is a schematic expression of system objects ofthc present invention. Fig 6 provides a lo{ in procedure of the system of the present invention. Fig 7 provides an ii itial configuration of the system. Fig K provides an acquisition mode to acquire and process the sensor data. Fig 9 depicts the'transmission ofthc calibrated data u> the receiving stations. Fig 10 provides TDM A transmission scheme and Burst format of the present invention. Fig 11 is a schemat c expression of the transmitter of the present invention. Fig 12 is sample sn.tp shot of the weather data. Fig 13-16 depict m lintcnancc of data rccords ofthc present invention. Detailed description of the invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for a real time collection, monitoring and processing of weather data. The present invention uses and communicates with many external sources of weather datu for its input data. The invention is capable of using input data frc m sources in addition to those it uses at (tie present lime, and should therefore not be limited solely to the data sources employed to-date. The embodiments if the present invention are described by referring to accompanied diagrams. Figl is a block diagrammatic representation of the system of the present invention. The syst Jm of the present invention broadly comprises at least a field unit for the collection of wnd dissemination. I "he. processing of t ic data in the Data logger includes formatting of data in proper frame formal for transmis; ion. GPS receiver is integrated with Data logger (and forms part of it) for timing synch ionization for the sampling of the sensors at programmed time every Hour as well as foi transmission of dala to Satellite through UH1-' transmitter (3) in a preprogrammed designated time slot for that particular station. J'he Transmitter consists of UJIF synthesizer with tuning step of 100Hz to set the designated channel frequency, a BPSK modulator and a Power amplifier with variable power output from W to 10W. The transmitter output is given to Crossed Di-pole antenna (6) and radiated towards 1NSAT satellite. The Automatic W A plurality of scnsirs (1) disposed at one or more field stations to act as data acquiring agcnls, more particularly weather data acquiring agents. The sensors (1) for of the field stations of the pre ient invention are chosen according to the weather conditions and requirements of the area where the Held .stations arc positioned. The desired field stations or units arc equipped to be located at different geographical locations lo acquire data from those locatior.s. The selection of the sensors (1) is based on the parameters, more particularly the w One of the sensors 1 used in the present invention is a rainfall sensor, wherein a tipping bucket rain gauge ii used to sense the amount of rainfall in the area. This tipping buckct gauge uses a tipping bucket mechanism to produce a contacl closure every time it receives a predetermined quantity of rainfall. Hie body and funnel of the rainfull sensor arc made of IKP (Fiber glass Reinforced Plastic) and the rim is made of gunmctal. All parts of the sensor are in contact with waler and are made of stainless steel, l iach tip of the bucket produces m on-off output when the magnet passes over the reed switch. Rainfall entering through funnel collector is directed to the tipping bucket assembly. When an incremental amount of precipitation has been collected, the bucket assembly tips and activates a magnetic reed switch. The sample is discharged through the base of the gauge. A momentary electrical contact closure is provided for each increment of rainfall. This contact closure is used to operate the Kvcnt Recorder or data acquisition systems. A level is provided on the base for correct positioning of the unit. The funnel has a screen to prevent debris from entering the gauge. Another sensor, which is a wind speed sensor (2) or the anemometer is used to sense the speed of the wind, l i e wind speed sensor has a three-cup rotor, which is a fast response low threshold opto-cl jctronic unit. When rotated by wind, a choppcr on the anemometer shaft interrupts an infrared light source, generating pulses from a phototran.sistor. The signal is amplified ,tnd fed through a line driver. The frequency of the pulses is proportional to wind jpeed. The ancmometeris provided with a 3-pin connector for easy replacement and conv-s with 10 meters of shielded cable. Yet another sensor in the form wind direction sensor is used which senses the direction of the wind. The wind direction sensor is basically a wind vane coupled to a lincur endless potentiometer. The v.ind vane used is a counter balunced, low threshold wind vane. A Linear, wire wound t ndlcss potentiometer is coupled to the vane by an SS shaft .As the vane turns, it rotates a stainless steel shall which is coupled to the potentiometer. This potentiometer has cxt ellent linearity, very low starting torque. In the present invention, an air temperature sensor is basically a standard platinum element. Here the re: istancc of the platinum element varies with temperature (increases with temperature). A weather shield is provided to avoid direct hcuting of the sensor by sun's radiation and to protect it from rain and snow. In addition, to sense the relative humidity, in the present invention a relative humidity sensor is described. The relative humidity sensor is a solid-state capacity type sensor, which has an impro\ ed design to provide highly accurate and rapid measurements. The humidity sensor is i thin film capacitor element. A dielectric polymer absorbs water molcculcs from the air through a thin metal electrode and this causes a capucilunce change proportional 10 humidity. A solid-stale electronic circuit is built in each probe to produce 0 to 1000m\ output signal corresponding to relative humidity value 0 to 100 %. In order to sense the atmospheric pressure, an atmospheric pressure sensor is used. The output of this sensor .s a linear voltage output proportional to pressure. I'he pressure sensor of the present invention having range 600-1100 m bar(A) is of integral diaphragm tj pe to measure absolute pressure variations for the use of automatic weather station (AW 5). The basic sensing elements are strain gauges, which are bonded on the integral diaplvagm. The pressure mmsdtiecr is provided with built-in electronics for signal conditioning. The overall output signal is proportional lo the input pressure. The sensor is well ;uited for remote Held applications of the system of the present invention. This unit :an be mounted inside an enclosure. The pressure sensor of the present invention has the following specifications. I Excitation 8.0VDC to 22.0VDC Accuracy (NL+H) ±0.2%ofF§O Response time I -ess than 1 second Temperature range +0°C to 50°C Proof pressure 2 bar Sensitivity 325 ±75 mV / bar (To suit AMPL data logger) Insulation Resistance > 100 MQat 50V DC I electrical interface Pig tail 24 SWO, Silver plated 4-cor PTFF. cable 0.6 meters long A solar radiation set sor or pyranomctcr is basically a 72-elemenl thermopile, which measures radiation re Specifications of the tome of the sensors used in the present invention arc as provided below: Wind Speed & Wind Direction a) Wind Direction: Sensor : Wind vane coupled to a linear endless Potentiometer Range : 0 to 359 degrees from North Accuracy : ± 3 degrees Linearity : With in. the accuracy limit b) Wind Speed; Sensor : 3 cup rotor coupled to a choppcr and IK emitter/ dctcctor circuit. Range : Wind speed 0 to 65 Meiers /sec Accuracy : + 2% of full scale Starting Thrcshc-ld : 0.3 Meters /sec I .ineurity : With in. the accuracy limits Output : TTT. level pulses frequency proportional to Wind Speed. Air Temperature & Relative Humidity Sensor a) Air Temperature Sensing : Standard Platinum RTD clement mounted inside a weaiher shield Range : -40°C to +60°C. Resolution :±0.1°C. Accuracy : ±0.1 °C. For (i) -40°C to ■ 30°C and (ii) 0°C to +55°C b) Relative Humidity: Sensing : Solid state Capacity type sensor Resolution : 1 % Range : 0 to 100 % operating at ()WC to +60°C Accuracy : ± 3% of full scalc reading. Power requirenv nt : +12 volts DC Output : Voltage output for Temperature & Humidity Weather Shield : Weather shield with weatherproof reflective white paint Housing Nylon body with weather shield and brass stem to mount the sensor. The sensor is fitted with a three-pin MS connector for easy removal. Rainfall Sensor Modiil Sensor : Tipping bucket rain gauge Sensing : Switch closcr output Magnetic rccd switch Resolution : 0.5 mm Accuracy : heller than 5% Sensitivity : 0.5 mm (rainfall per pulse) Operating Temp : ()l,C to +60°C, Heating arrangement is optional for below 0°C temperature Material : Rain gauge shell made of l-'RP. Hucktt made of stainless steel Atmospheric Pressure Sensor Range :(i)600to llOOhpa (ii) 0 lo 1100 hpa (Optional) Sensor : Integral diaphragm type with built in amplifier Resolution : 0.1 hpa Accuracy :0.2%ofFSR Power requi rcmcnl : 112 Volts DC Housing : Weather proof housing. Response T«mc : Sensor : Photo voltaic Cell Spectral ran jc : 0 to 1200 Watts/ M2 Sensitivity : 20 micro volts/W/M2 Time constant : Output : 0 to 2.5 Volts In the present inversion analog sensors that are used for sensing the temperature, relative humidity, wind spe ;d, wind direction and atmospheric pressure and whereas the digital sensors arc used to measure rainfall and solar radiation. The system of the present invention can be connected to a plurality of sensors and can with suitable interfa ;c like RS-232 and RS 485. In the present invention a combination of analog and digital sensors arc used. Further, the sensor signal is conditioned to required voltage level in ease of an analog signal live system of the present invention can be configured to use either analog sensors or digital sensors or a combin ition of both. The present invention uses and communicates with many external sources of weather data lor its input d: ta through the application of above-cited sensors. The invention is capable of using input data from other sensors sources like din addition to those it uses at the present time, and should therefore not be limited solely to the sensors employed to- datc. I'-ach of the above i lentioncd sensors 1 acquire data from the atmosphere pertaining to different parameter like air temperature, relative humidity, ctc. Once each of these sensors acquires the necessary data from the area, then the output of the sensors I is fed into a signal conditioner, whenever the output signal is from a digital sensor. The signal conditioner is disposed to convert the input signal from the analog sensors 1 to a conditioned output of 0-5 V DC corresponding to the entire range of each parameter. The signal conditioner ilso additionally generates the calibration voltages (0, 2.5 V, 5 V) as well as the health b ts. 'I hc Data logger ii.terfaccs sensor system on one side and t ransmitter subsystem on ihe other side, ft plays an important role in the whole transmission system. The data logger unit 3 controls the intirc working of the individual field unit(s). The. data logger unit 3 comprises a powei supply regulator, a power supply regulator, control logic unit, a microcontroller, a n ultiplcxer cum Analog-to-Digltal Controller (ADC), a health monitor circuit, a memury n ember, a pseudo random burst sequence generator, a transmitter and an antenna 6a. The data logger (3) is powered through a solar panel 5 bucked battery uai.1 (12V) 4. The data logger 3 operates on +12V uninterrupted power, using batteries 4 backed up by solar panels 5. The data logger unit 3, acts a control unit of the individual field units. The daia logger 3 and the power supply battery 4 and the transmitters arc housed in a weather] roof enclosure. A data logger 2 is disposed to acquire the sensor data at pre-programmed time interval, preferably every one hour and to condition the sensor data perform calibration followed by formatting of thf data lor transmission. The data logger 2 is interfaced with (IPS receiver fur sampling the sensor duta and to transmit the data in spcciticd time slot interval, which is programmable. The data logger 2 is password protected and having I/O devices in the form of a keyboard and display unit along with detachable storage memory. Further, the data logger 2 of the present invention is also equipped to save power and to obtain CHS signal, a regular time intervals, preferably once in 24 hours. The GPS receiver is witched off when not in use. The data logger 2 is also disposed to update its RTC. The data logger 2 hai an in-built signal conditioner and it can take analog sensor output signal, which can be is low as 0.1V and to a maximum of 2.5V full scale, and this has been possible through a 24bit sigma-della ADC at the front end ofthc Data logger 2. The system architecture of the data logger of the present invention is described by referring to Fig 2-5. Now by referring to Jig 2. the hardware architecture of the data logger 2 of the present invention is described. The data logger 2 is provided with a microprocessor for processing of the sciisor data, said data logger 2 is connected to an ADC for the conversion of ait Jog signals into digiiul signals. A memory unit comprising KKPROM and RAM is contacted to the data logger 2. I/O devices in the form a I .CD display unit is connected to the data logger 2 through a LCD controller for providing a display to the user. A keyboard is also provided to for inputting the data. Now by referring' to fig which is a context level diagram of the data logger of the present invention. This diagram dcpicts the interface connectivity among the system entities such as /vDC, GPS receiver, sensors, memory, power supply source and users. The data logger processes the data as received from the sensors on a request from a user and provides a su table response. fig 4 of the accompanied diagrams provides an interface between n user and the data logger 2, by virtu; of which a user can communicate with the data logger 2 to perform function: including setting time, creation of dala ID, killing memory, creation of password, sendin > of emergency messages, recording of dala, testing of Rl'C and GPS, I/O units and LCI). A user is also equipped lo configure the transmitter and the sensor set up. The Fig 4 ah o provides a functional connectivity of the sensors I and GPS receiver with the data log\| cr 2. Fig 5 is a schematic expression of system objects of the present invention lhal arc identified during die sensing operation of the present invention. Accordingly, the iata logger 2 of the present .invention is disposed to reccive and process the sensor data arid lo transmit the same to the receiving stations. The present imention also provides a method of implementation of automotive collection, real lime monitoring and processing of weather dala. The method of implementation The login procedure of the system of the present invention is depicted in Fig 6, which is implemented by i icans of a user password. A user once logs in to the system is permitted to configure the components of the system as per the o\|)crational requirements. The system is also configured to COT constant updating of GPS of the weather stations. On completion oi'lhe initial configuration of the system, as provided in Fig 7, the system is set to acquisition mode to acquire and process the sensor data as indicated in Fig 8. ITic data logger 2 acquires the weather data from the sensors 1 while checking ihe data string compatibili y. The data acquisition is performed at designated regular lime, intervals and calibrated. The calibrated data is stored in the memoiy. On completion of calibration of the weather data by the data logger 2 the transmission mode is activated to transmit the calibrated data to the receiving stations through the selected communiiation channels. Fig !> depicts the transmission of the calibrated data to the receiving stations. More particularly the depicts burst transmission of weather data in TDM A mode. The data format used by the data logger unit 2 of the system of the present invention comprises a fram.: formal and convolution error correction coding. In addition to the above, a control icdiinditncy check is used, which ensures vulidity of the transmission dula. For data transmission the system of the present invention uses lime division multiple access TDMA) transmission protocol. Any other suitable transmission protocols can be adapted to the system ofthc present invention. The lime frame allotted is one hour with a dot time of 1 sec. Within one-hour link- frame several one-second transmissions are possible. It is understood here that the time frumc ullotmcnt can be suitably modified. The TDMA transmission facilitates transmission of more number of licld stations on tie same carrier. As more number of field stations is possible on the same carrier, bettc channel utilization is assured. A transmitter 3 is jonncctcd to the data logger 2 for ihe transmission of daia ui a satellite through IJHF transmitter 3 in a preprogrammed designated time slot for a selected receiving station. The Transmitter comprises IJHF synthesizer with tuning step of 10011/ to set the designaied channel frequency. Ihe transmitter 3 further comprises a BPSK. modulator and a Power amplifier with variable power ouipul from 3W to I0W. The data transmission under the protocol is performed through transmitter output 3 is given to a crosse. I di-pole ground \hub antenna 6a and radiated towards satellite mid equipped to chang.; the LHCP and RHCP polarization on field. The data format sc lected for the present invention is a burst format as shown below: The hourly message transmitted by system ofthc present invention with 262 (include 16bits of Frame s> nc and 16bits of L-OT code) bits in the following format: The frame synch h&s the following format: 1101 1000 1110 0010 (D8li2 in HEX) Station identificati Data frame (199 bits) consists of the following bits: Jt is to be noted he>e that CAT, voltages & DCP health have the configuration of 10 bits 1 parity. Sensor data consists of I Obit sensor data+lbit purity+4bits for sensor identification. During the transmission CRC is added to the data frame and rate convolution coded. The data frame is ihen appended with CR & B'l'R preamble and IJW and transmitted in I DMA mode. Dur.t duration is for above selected time frame is 186mscc. I'lie I'DMA is an open loop system with timing derived from (IPS receiver which is part of AWS. l'DMA Frame duration is 1 Hour. F.ach AWS is assigned lime slot of 1-second duration. The 1-Hour frame is divided into 6 time windows, each of lOminuie duration. Each DCP is assigned 1 -secoi d time slot in any of the 10-minutc slot and the repeat transmission is alter 10 minutes, w hieh falls in the next lime slot. The salient features of TDMA transmission scheme and Burst format of Ihe present invention are now described by referring to Fig 10. By using this transmission scheme a large number of w -ather stations can he integrated. By way of including CRC in the data frame, data validity could be ensured. Further, by way of preserving BCII coding of Station Identification Code (SID), data quality is checkcd and valid dala retrieved even lor the bad CRC. By preserving present SID (Station identification Code), SID for all user of DRT could be standardized. The SID comprises 21 bits (9bits for user type, 2bits for priority, and 10bits for Platform ID). In addition, by adapting forward error correction convolution coding, better data quality is easurcd and with one repeat transmission Ihe reliability of data -cception is improved. The block schom&tic expression of the transmitter of the present invention is given in Fig 11. The transmitu r is interfaced with data logger 2. It gets data, signal, frequency loading signal through serial data interface and hurst control signal. The data signal is passes through buffer, ui.i-polar to Bipolar converter, l ow pass filter, driver amplifier before it is given to BPSK demodulator. Ihe carrier signal at 402.75 MHz to the Modulator is derived through irequcncy synthesizer circuit. The synthesizer frequency is tunable to 100Hz step over irequcney range of+/-200KiIz. The modulated signal is given to power amplifier circuit, fhc POwcr amplifier output is adjustable up to I0W through attenuator control. The power amplifier output signal is given to antenna through an isolator. Also, (lie output power s siimpled and given as monitor signal. 'Hie power amplifier is enabled through enable control (burst control from Data Logger) and in enabled only during transmission to satellite. The receiving stalions that are connected to the system of the present invention comprises an antenna, lx»w noise Block down Converter, l.-band down converter, DSP based BPSK burst demodulator and data processing system. Specification of each sub-systcin is given below. Description of Receive system: 'Die satellite signal in lixt C-band is received by ground temiinul consists of .3.6m antenna with G/T better than I Rl' system consists of Tow Noise Block Down Converter (I .NBC), and l.-band Down converter. The LNBC is fitted with feed system amplifies low-level signal received by antenna. Output of I.NOC. goes to T.-band down converter taken through 30m RF cablc. The I,-band con/erter converts L-band signul into IF signal (70+18MHz). The frequency of IF L DSP based burst demodulator, developed at SAC/ISRO. The BPSK burst demodulator consists if 70MH:: to 455K.Hz down converter and DSP board at 455 KHz.. The 455 KHz signal may have frequency offset due to transmitter frequency offset as well as due to satellite frequency olfset. The DSP based BPSK burst demodulator has capability to track up to ±3 kHz in the offset of the carrier signal. The output from IJPSK demodulator is 2.4Kbps data and clock signal. An interface unit converts the synchronous data to asynchronous data at 2400 baud, which goes to data processing system (PC). The data interface unit receives synchronous weather data packet datu demodulator with bit rate of 2400 bj s. It converts synchronous data lo asynchronous data with baud rate of 9600 to the serial i>ort of Data server computer with start and slop delimiters. This server is running with application program for receiving data packei. After receive the data, this application checks the start and end delimiters and then it calculates CRC lor verifying with received CR TAB!.P.» Statio n 10 G M T W 0 u r C »l 1 c al 2 C al 3 Dry bulb C) Wat bulb 7(» C) Bat. Volt. (V) Win d spa ed (m/s ) Wind Directi on (dflgra e) Pre$»u re (hpa) Humidi ly (RH Yt) Rai n M data (mm ) Sun shin e min) Date 4 tlmo (1ST) P a e k et V al id it Y 16KI0 a 2 0. D 0 2. 5 0 5. 0 0 39.7 6 0.00 13-6 1 0 05 89 69 924.95 21 95 0.00 0:0 3/10/0 b 8:25:5 0 9 0 0 d tsroo 9 2 0. 0 0 2. 9 0 s. 0 0 244 « 0.00 14,1 0 2.20 256 84 924.95 77 96 0.00 1:8 3/10/0 5 8:27.4 6 0 0 d 1M00 a 2 0. 0 0 2. 5 0 5. 0 0 397 6 000 13 6 1 005 89.69 92495 21 95 O.OO 00 3/10/0 5 6 35:5 0 9 0 0 d ISfOO s 2 0. 0 0 2. 5 0 5. 0 0 24.4 6 0.00 14.1 0 2.20 256.84 924 95 /7.06 0.00 1:6 3/10/0 5 8:37:4 6 0 0 0 d 15fOO 1 3 0. 0 0 2. S 0 9. 0 0 289 G 0.00 13.5 1 0.05 356 99 976.37 67 99 34.0 0 2:3 3/10/0 5 9:4:11 9 0 0 d 15K» • 3 0. 0 0 2. 5 0 s. 0 0 397 0 0.00 13.6 1 0.05 69.69 974 99 21.95 0.00 0:0 3/10/0 5 9:25:5 0 9 0 0 d 15(00 9 3 0 0 0 2. 5 0 s. 0 0 27.9 8 0.00 14.6 4 1.61 279.61 924.95 69.94 0.00 2:6 3/10/0 b 9:27:4 5 g 0 0 d 15f00 6 3 o. 0 0 2. S 0 5 0 0 20.1 7 0.00 15.2 2 0.05 0.24 941.66 73.95 20.0 0 00 3/10/0 5 929:4 6 9 0 0 d 92ab e 3 0. 0 0 2. S 0 s. 0 0 273 9 0.00 13.5 1 0 73 14.91 1005 3 0 7675 s 7:24 3/10/0 5 9:32:0 b « d ISfOO a 3 0. 0 0 2. S 0 9. 0 0 39.7 6 0.00 13.6 1 00S 89.69 924.95 2195 0.00 0:0 3/10/0 5 9:35:5 0 9 0 0 d ISfOO 9 3 0 0 0 2. 9 0 S. 0 0 279 8 0.00 146 4 181 27981 924.95 U9 94 0.00 2:8 3/10/0 5 937:4 5- 9 0 0 d Station II): 15100a- Hydcral ad 15009: Hyderabad, 15R)0l: Tirupati, 15M06: Hyderabad, 92a5c: Ahmcdabid Ihe transmitter i lodule Jbr (he present invention is designed specifically for selected satellite Data collection platforms with following features. The transmitter delivers power of 10 W i,i RPSK modulation mode and is adjustable from 3 to 10 Watts to suit various types of iransmitting antennae. I he selected transmitter uses easily settable pre modulation shaping filler before modulator. The transmitter has very low phase noise to meet narrow Bani data modulation for 300bps and 4.8 kbps. The frequency synthesizer used 100 Hz step size to combat long term drifts in transmit chain and provide possibility lor using narrow bandwidth rcccive chain at receive station. However, it is understood thut the selection of the configuration of transmitter depends on the desired communication jirotocol and communication means. This transmitter configuration should not be considered as limiting the scope ofthc present invention. The transmitter antenna 6n transmits the signal to receiving stations via a Geostationary satellite. However, instead of using satellite communication for transmitting information from the field stations to the earth station, other types of communication can also he alternatively used. The different types of communication may be selected from wireless or other existing telecommunication networks that arc generally used for the transmission of data of this nature. The data relay tmnspondcr 6 on the satellite receives the data signal at 402.75MHz, then the signal is coiverted to a down link frequency of 4504.2 MHz, amplified and transmitted lowaids the earth station or data receiving member. The earth station hits a receiving antenna 6h, which receives the transmitted data, arid this data is used for further processing and at.alysis. The communicat on means in the form of a data relay transponder 6 is provided to communicate the weather datu from the field stations to the receiving stations or data receiving membe's. The data relay transponder 6 is from a satellite in orbit or may also he other means >if communication wired or wireless communication devices used for such purposes. 1 ic present invention is explained using satellite communication as the communication means 6. However, this should not be construed to limit the scope ofthc invention. A low noise blocn down amplifier 7 is connected to the receiving antenna 6b to amplify the signal and to i ut down the low frequency noise signals. The central Grotnd station (Hub) antenna 6a of size 3.8m, picks op the satellite signal, which is amplified and down converted to L band frequency by a l.NB (I .ow Noise Block down converter) 7. The l.-band frequency is then down converted to 70M.H/. IF frequency througn an L band to IF down converter unit 8. The 70MHz IF signal is given to o Binary Phase Shift Keying BPSK demodulator 9 unit to recover the transmitted data streum. The received data is given to a data server unit 10. where the data is processed and displayed on line us well as stores the data in a file and is accessible through a WLB server 11 througl LAN with appropriate software loaded in both the machines. The data is accessible by u er through Internet with password. Maintenance of .lata records of the present invention is now explained by referring to Figures 13-16. The system of th; present invention is also programmed to list past record scenario and also to facilitate user in deleting the unwanted records. The system of the present invention is also equipped to display the system time lo the user in real time phase. The system of the pnscnt invention is also designed to hold it on stand by mode during the processing of we ither data. . Therefore, the present invention provides system for real time monitoring and processing of weather data, aid system comprising: at least a field unit for the acquisition of weather parameter signal: and processing of the signals, and at least a data receiving station to rcccivc the proc Accuss (TDMA). 'i'hc data rccciving member comprises; a receiving antenna, a low noise amplifier, a down converter, a Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) demodulator, a data receiving proxssing unit, and an output member. The present invt ntion also provides a pressure sensor lor sensing of atmospheric pressure, said senior comprising, a diaphragm to measure absolute pressure variations in the form of sigi als, plurality of strain gauges mounted on the diuphragm, and an ulectronics circuii for signal conditioning The present invw tion further provides a method for real time monitoring and processing of weaiher data, said method comprising the steps of; placing the sensors ofthc field unit at least in one g While there ha\ s been described what arc at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and ii is therefore ai.ned to cover all such changes and modifications as full within the true spirit and scope uf the invention. Advantages 1. The system of the present invention can be easily collecting weather data with programmed an J setup due to the use of hot keys, keypad and front panel display. 2. The data from the lield stations, which are collected by the sensors, can be easily downloaded by means of a computer. 3. The field stations are rugged and are suitable lor surviving in harsh environments. 4. An additional data storage unit is provided to store ihe weather in formation dala for one year and ul: o the data can be secured by password protection. We claim: 1. A system for rial tune monitoring and processing of weather data, said system comprising: at last a field unit for the acquisition of weather parameter signals and processing of the signals, and at least a data receiving station to receive the processed signals from the respective field unit, for further processing, display and dissemination of weather information. 2. T'hc system as c.laimed in claim 1, wherein the field unit comprises a plurality of sensors, a data bigger, and a transmission member. 3. Tbe system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensors are selected from a rainfall sensor, a wind »peed sensor, a wind direction sensor, an air temperature sensor, a relative humidily sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a solar radiation sensor, a soil temperature sensor and a soil moisture sensor. 4. The system as c aimed in claim 2, wherein the data logger comprises; a power supply regulator, a microprocessor, a multiplexer cum Analog-to-I)igilal Controller (ADO), a memory member, and a pseudo random burst sequence generator. 5. The system as c aimed in claim J, wherein the transmission protocol is a wireless or a wired communication, preferably Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). 6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data receiving member comprises; a receiving antenna, a low noise amplifier, a down converter, a Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) demodulator, a data receiving processing unit, and an output member. 7. A pressure sen-tor for sensing of atmospheric pressure, said sensor comprising, a diaphragm to measure absolute pressure variations in the form of signals, plurality of strain gauges mounted on the diaphragm, and an electronics circuit for signal conditioning 8. A method for cal time monitoring and processing of weather data, said method comprising the steps of; placing the sensors of the Held unit nl least in one geographical location to collect the weather data, collecting the weather data in the form of signals at prc-dctermined time intervals, feeding the signals to a data logger, transmitting an. I storing the digital signal data in a data logger unit, processing of signal data in the data logger unit, transmitting the stored data from the data logger unit through a transmission protocol and transmitter to at least a receiving station at pre-defined time slots, receiving and processing of the data by at least a receiving station, and providing an output of weather information. 9. l"hc method according to claim 9, wherein the processing of the received data by receiving stations comprising the steps of; amplifying, the received data signal and reducing the 1 educing low frequency noise signals, converting ihe signal in a down converter received from the low noise amplifier, sending the signal to a Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) demodulator, processing of the demodulated data by a processing number of the receiving stations assimilating, monitoring and processing the information, and .storing and displaying the processed data. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the transmission protocol is the Time division multiple access (TDMA).

Full Text

A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC COLLECTION, REAL-TIM K MONITORING AND PROCESSING OF WEATHER DATA
Technical Held
The present invention relates to a system and method lor real lime collection, monitoring and processing of weather data. Background and prior art
Weather monitoring and prediction is a veiy important aspect in today's technologically developed world. The Weather information is especially critical for people who depend on weather for their livelihood, like the farmers and agriculturalists. Farmers who operate in hilly regions, grow specialized crops, and depend upon irrigation. If accurate weather monitoring is achieved, then they can plan their activities based on the predicted weather conditions. I lowe\ er, they can significantly improve their output, if they have more specific weather in ibrmation.
An example of ho•*/ important weather predictions are can be seen in the case of citrus grooves where citrus crops arc grown. In the citrus grooves, even a one-degree difference in the temperature other than the temperature required can ruin the crop totally. Therefore, weather monitoring and prediction techniques art used to accurately prcdict the weather conditions. Once the weather prediction is accurate, accordingly the farmers can dccidc whether they need to use extra machinery to provide necessary warmth to the crops. This rcducis the expenses, because running the machines on every cold night would be too costly.
Another example where specialized weather monitoring and prediction is required is for crops that arc cntitoly dependent upon irrigation. Knowledge of exact weather conditions in the fields can he p optimize the use of irrigation.
In addition to theii use lo farmers and agriculturists, general weather information is also useful for comnu n people. Therefore a necessity was felt for monitoring weather information over lurgc areas of land. For achieving the weather information over a large area, a number of weather stations are placed at different locations. These weather stations are usually located at prominent places like airports, universities, etc. All these different weather stations accumulate weather information and this information is processed to predit t weather information for these areas. The raw data from each weather station is brought together by different means, to a central location where it is processed into useful information. Maps are created summarizing the information for continents, nations, states and portions of states. This general weather information is of utmost value to people who ure planning their days based on the weather conditions and also weather influenced companies like airlines, shipping lines and trucking companies which are planning their depa/ture and routes over vast distances.
Genera! weather information is also useful to farmers who operate in flat areas including the planes and prairies where they grow commodity crops such as wheal, corn, soya beans and forage crops that are only minimally influenced by weather on any given day. US Patent 592082/ describes a wireless weather station for measuring a number of weather parameters over an extended time at a data collection location. The weather data can be transmitted to a remote location using lesser power and apparently real-time continuous transmission. The sensor assembly is positioned at the dala collecting locations and powered by a solar rechargeable battery backup.
US Patent 5717589 describes a real-time weather tracking and prediction of future movements of weather. The method provided here is made of steps of integration of real¬time weather dala rom sources, combining this data with geographical information and then integrating tht real-time weather and geographical data to compute and display the prcdictcd and expei ted movement of the weather conditions.
US Patent 6330519 provides a visibility sensor system, which includes a housing having a sensor head opcr ing. A removable sensor head assembly is removably coupled to the housing within the tensor head opening. The sensor head assembly has a sensor enclosure and a connector. \n electronics module is coupled to the sensor head through the connector. A rain s insor determines the presence of rain and causes shutters to cover the openings in the sen >or enclosure. Objects of the present invention
The Primary objec: of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for automatic weather data collection, real time monitoring, and processing of weather dala. An object of the j'resent invention is to provide a system and a method by adapting sensors for belter ooscrvation and sensing of weather information. Another object of I he present invention is to provide a system and a method with a data
lugger for collectinj, and processing of weather data.
Jt is also an object i>f the present invention to provide a system and a method for accurate and real-time prcdit tion of the weaiher conditions tor a vast areu. Brief description or the drawings
Fig I depicts the Mock diagrammatic representation of the real time monitoring and processing of weather data.
Fig 2 depicts the hardware architecture of the data logger of the present invention.
Fig 3 is a context k vel diagram of the data logger of the present invention.
Klg 4 is a schematic expression of an interface between a user and the data logger.
Fig 5 is a schematic expression of system objects ofthc present invention.
Fig 6 provides a lo{ in procedure of the system of the present invention.
Fig 7 provides an ii itial configuration of the system.
Fig K provides an acquisition mode to acquire and process the sensor data.
Fig 9 depicts the'transmission ofthc calibrated data u> the receiving stations.
Fig 10 provides TDM A transmission scheme and Burst format of the present invention.
Fig 11 is a schemat c expression of the transmitter of the present invention.
Fig 12 is sample sn.tp shot of the weather data.
Fig 13-16 depict m lintcnancc of data rccords ofthc present invention.
Detailed description of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for a real time collection, monitoring and processing of weather data. The present invention uses and communicates with many external sources of weather datu for its input data. The invention is capable of using input data frc m sources in addition to those it uses at (tie present lime, and should therefore not be limited solely to the data sources employed to-date. The embodiments if the present invention are described by referring to accompanied diagrams. Figl is a block diagrammatic representation of the system of the present invention. The syst Jm of the present invention broadly comprises at least a field unit for the collection of wnd dissemination.
I "he. processing of t ic data in the Data logger includes formatting of data in proper frame
formal for transmis; ion. GPS receiver is integrated with Data logger (and forms part of it) for timing synch ionization for the sampling of the sensors at programmed time every Hour as well as foi transmission of dala to Satellite through UH1-' transmitter (3) in a preprogrammed designated time slot for that particular station.
J'he Transmitter consists of UJIF synthesizer with tuning step of 100Hz to set the designated channel frequency, a BPSK modulator and a Power amplifier with variable power output from W to 10W.
The transmitter output is given to Crossed Di-pole antenna (6) and radiated towards 1NSAT satellite.
The Automatic W A plurality of scnsirs (1) disposed at one or more field stations to act as data acquiring agcnls, more particularly weather data acquiring agents. The sensors (1) for of the field stations of the pre ient invention are chosen according to the weather conditions and requirements of the area where the Held .stations arc positioned. The desired field stations or units arc equipped to be located at different geographical locations lo acquire data from those locatior.s. The selection of the sensors (1) is based on the parameters, more particularly the w One of the sensors 1 used in the present invention is a rainfall sensor, wherein a tipping bucket rain gauge ii used to sense the amount of rainfall in the area. This tipping buckct gauge uses a tipping bucket mechanism to produce a contacl closure every time it receives a predetermined quantity of rainfall. Hie body and funnel of the rainfull sensor arc made of IKP (Fiber glass Reinforced Plastic) and the rim is made of gunmctal. All parts of the sensor are in contact with waler and are made of stainless steel, l iach tip of
the bucket produces m on-off output when the magnet passes over the reed switch. Rainfall entering through funnel collector is directed to the tipping bucket assembly. When an incremental amount of precipitation has been collected, the bucket assembly tips and activates a magnetic reed switch. The sample is discharged through the base of the gauge. A momentary electrical contact closure is provided for each increment of rainfall. This contact closure is used to operate the Kvcnt Recorder or data acquisition systems. A level is provided on the base for correct positioning of the unit. The funnel has a screen to prevent debris from entering the gauge.
Another sensor, which is a wind speed sensor (2) or the anemometer is used to sense the speed of the wind, l i e wind speed sensor has a three-cup rotor, which is a fast response low threshold opto-cl jctronic unit. When rotated by wind, a choppcr on the anemometer shaft interrupts an infrared light source, generating pulses from a phototran.sistor. The signal is amplified ,tnd fed through a line driver. The frequency of the pulses is proportional to wind jpeed. The ancmometeris provided with a 3-pin connector for easy replacement and conv-s with 10 meters of shielded cable.
Yet another sensor in the form wind direction sensor is used which senses the direction of the wind. The wind direction sensor is basically a wind vane coupled to a lincur endless potentiometer. The v.ind vane used is a counter balunced, low threshold wind vane. A Linear, wire wound t ndlcss potentiometer is coupled to the vane by an SS shaft .As the vane turns, it rotates a stainless steel shall which is coupled to the potentiometer. This potentiometer has cxt ellent linearity, very low starting torque.
In the present invention, an air temperature sensor is basically a standard platinum element. Here the re: istancc of the platinum element varies with temperature (increases with temperature). A weather shield is provided to avoid direct hcuting of the sensor by sun's radiation and to protect it from rain and snow.
In addition, to sense the relative humidity, in the present invention a relative humidity sensor is described. The relative humidity sensor is a solid-state capacity type sensor, which has an impro\ ed design to provide highly accurate and rapid measurements. The humidity sensor is i thin film capacitor element. A dielectric polymer absorbs water molcculcs from the air through a thin metal electrode and this causes a capucilunce change proportional 10 humidity. A solid-stale electronic circuit is built in each probe to produce 0 to 1000m\ output signal corresponding to relative humidity value 0 to 100 %.
In order to sense the atmospheric pressure, an atmospheric pressure sensor is used. The
output of this sensor .s a linear voltage output proportional to pressure.
I'he pressure sensor of the present invention having range 600-1100 m bar(A) is of
integral diaphragm tj pe to measure absolute pressure variations for the use of automatic
weather station (AW 5). The basic sensing elements are strain gauges, which are bonded
on the integral diaplvagm. The pressure mmsdtiecr is provided with built-in electronics
for signal conditioning. The overall output signal is proportional lo the input pressure.
The sensor is well ;uited for remote Held applications of the system of the present
invention. This unit :an be mounted inside an enclosure. The pressure sensor of the
present invention has the following specifications.
I Excitation 8.0VDC to 22.0VDC
Accuracy (NL+H) ±0.2%ofF§O
Response time I -ess than 1 second
Temperature range +0°C to 50°C
Proof pressure 2 bar
Sensitivity 325 ±75 mV / bar (To suit AMPL data logger)
Insulation Resistance > 100 MQat 50V DC
I electrical interface Pig tail 24 SWO, Silver plated 4-cor PTFF. cable
0.6 meters long
A solar radiation set sor or pyranomctcr is basically a 72-elemenl thermopile, which measures radiation re Specifications of the tome of the sensors used in the present invention arc as provided below:
Wind Speed & Wind Direction a) Wind Direction:
Sensor : Wind vane coupled to a linear endless Potentiometer
Range : 0 to 359 degrees from North
Accuracy : ± 3 degrees
Linearity : With in. the accuracy limit
b) Wind Speed;
Sensor : 3 cup rotor coupled to a choppcr and IK emitter/
dctcctor circuit. Range : Wind speed 0 to 65 Meiers /sec
Accuracy : + 2% of full scale
Starting Thrcshc-ld : 0.3 Meters /sec I .ineurity : With in. the accuracy limits
Output : TTT. level pulses frequency proportional to Wind Speed.
Air Temperature & Relative Humidity Sensor
a) Air Temperature
Sensing : Standard Platinum RTD clement mounted inside a weaiher
shield
Range : -40°C to +60°C.
Resolution :±0.1°C.
Accuracy : ±0.1 °C. For (i) -40°C to ■ 30°C and (ii) 0°C to +55°C
b) Relative Humidity:
Sensing : Solid state Capacity type sensor
Resolution : 1 %
Range : 0 to 100 % operating at ()WC to +60°C
Accuracy : ± 3% of full scalc reading.
Power requirenv nt : +12 volts DC
Output : Voltage output for Temperature & Humidity
Weather Shield : Weather shield with weatherproof reflective white paint
Housing Nylon body with weather shield and brass stem to mount the sensor. The sensor is fitted with a three-pin MS connector for easy removal.
Rainfall Sensor Modiil
Sensor : Tipping bucket rain gauge
Sensing : Switch closcr output Magnetic rccd switch
Resolution : 0.5 mm
Accuracy : heller than * 5%
Sensitivity : 0.5 mm (rainfall per pulse)
Operating Temp : ()l,C to +60°C, Heating arrangement is optional for below 0°C temperature
Material : Rain gauge shell made of l-'RP. Hucktt made of stainless steel
Atmospheric Pressure Sensor
Range :(i)600to llOOhpa
(ii) 0 lo 1100 hpa (Optional)
Sensor : Integral diaphragm type with built in amplifier
Resolution : 0.1 hpa
Accuracy :0.2%ofFSR
Power requi rcmcnl : 112 Volts DC
Housing : Weather proof housing.
Response T«mc : Sensor : Photo voltaic Cell
Spectral ran jc : 0 to 1200 Watts/ M2 Sensitivity : 20 micro volts/W/M2
Time constant : Output : 0 to 2.5 Volts
In the present inversion analog sensors that are used for sensing the temperature, relative
humidity, wind spe ;d, wind direction and atmospheric pressure and whereas the digital
sensors arc used to measure rainfall and solar radiation.
The system of the present invention can be connected to a plurality of sensors and can with suitable interfa ;c like RS-232 and RS 485.
In the present invention a combination of analog and digital sensors arc used. Further, the sensor signal is conditioned to required voltage level in ease of an analog signal live system of the present invention can be configured to use either analog sensors or digital sensors or a combin ition of both.
The present invention uses and communicates with many external sources of weather data lor its input d: ta through the application of above-cited sensors. The invention is capable of using input data from other sensors sources like din addition to those it uses at the present time, and should therefore not be limited solely to the sensors employed to- datc.
I'-ach of the above i lentioncd sensors 1 acquire data from the atmosphere pertaining to different parameter like air temperature, relative humidity, ctc. Once each of these sensors acquires the necessary data from the area, then the output of the sensors I is fed into a signal conditioner, whenever the output signal is from a digital sensor. The signal conditioner is disposed to convert the input signal from the analog sensors 1 to a conditioned output of 0-5 V DC corresponding to the entire range of each parameter. The
signal conditioner ilso additionally generates the calibration voltages (0, 2.5 V, 5 V) as well as the health b ts.
'I hc Data logger ii.terfaccs sensor system on one side and t ransmitter subsystem on ihe other side, ft plays an important role in the whole transmission system. The data logger unit 3 controls the intirc working of the individual field unit(s). The. data logger unit 3 comprises a powei supply regulator, a power supply regulator, control logic unit, a microcontroller, a n ultiplcxer cum Analog-to-Digltal Controller (ADC), a health monitor circuit, a memury n ember, a pseudo random burst sequence generator, a transmitter and an antenna 6a. The data logger (3) is powered through a solar panel 5 bucked battery uai.1 (12V) 4. The data logger 3 operates on +12V uninterrupted power, using batteries 4 backed up by solar panels 5. The data logger unit 3, acts a control unit of the individual field units. The daia logger 3 and the power supply battery 4 and the transmitters arc housed in a weather] roof enclosure.
A data logger 2 is disposed to acquire the sensor data at pre-programmed time interval, preferably every one hour and to condition the sensor data perform calibration followed by formatting of thf data lor transmission. The data logger 2 is interfaced with (IPS receiver fur sampling the sensor duta and to transmit the data in spcciticd time slot interval, which is programmable. The data logger 2 is password protected and having I/O devices in the form of a keyboard and display unit along with detachable storage memory. Further, the data logger 2 of the present invention is also equipped to save power and to obtain CHS signal, a regular time intervals, preferably once in 24 hours. The GPS receiver is witched off when not in use. The data logger 2 is also disposed to update its RTC.
The data logger 2 hai an in-built signal conditioner and it can take analog sensor output signal, which can be is low as 0.1V and to a maximum of 2.5V full scale, and this has been possible through a 24bit sigma-della ADC at the front end ofthc Data logger 2. The system architecture of the data logger of the present invention is described by referring to Fig 2-5.
Now by referring to Jig 2. the hardware architecture of the data logger 2 of the present invention is described. The data logger 2 is provided with a microprocessor for processing of the sciisor data, said data logger 2 is connected to an ADC for the conversion of ait Jog signals into digiiul signals. A memory unit comprising KKPROM and RAM is contacted to the data logger 2. I/O devices in the form a I .CD display unit is connected to the data logger 2 through a LCD controller for providing a display to the user. A keyboard is also provided to for inputting the data.
Now by referring' to fig which is a context level diagram of the data logger of the present invention. This diagram dcpicts the interface connectivity among the system entities such as /vDC, GPS receiver, sensors, memory, power supply source and users. The data logger processes the data as received from the sensors on a request from a user and provides a su table response.
fig 4 of the accompanied diagrams provides an interface between n user and the data logger 2, by virtu*; of which a user can communicate with the data logger 2 to perform function: including setting time, creation of dala ID, killing memory, creation of password, sendin > of emergency messages, recording of dala, testing of Rl'C and GPS, I/O units and LCI). A user is also equipped lo configure the transmitter and the sensor set up. The Fig 4 ah o provides a functional connectivity of the sensors I and GPS receiver with the data log| cr 2.
Fig 5 is a schematic expression of system objects of the present invention lhal arc identified during die sensing operation of the present invention.
Accordingly, the iata logger 2 of the present .invention is disposed to reccive and process the sensor data arid lo transmit the same to the receiving stations. The present imention also provides a method of implementation of automotive collection, real lime monitoring and processing of weather dala. The method of implementation The login procedure of the system of the present invention is depicted in Fig 6, which is implemented by i icans of a user password. A user once logs in to the system is permitted to configure the components of the system as per the o|)crational requirements. The system is also configured to COT constant updating of GPS of the weather stations. On completion oi'lhe initial configuration of the system, as provided in Fig 7, the system
is set to acquisition mode to acquire and process the sensor data as indicated in Fig 8. ITic data logger 2 acquires the weather data from the sensors 1 while checking ihe data string compatibili y. The data acquisition is performed at designated regular lime, intervals and calibrated. The calibrated data is stored in the memoiy. On completion of calibration of the weather data by the data logger 2 the transmission mode is activated to transmit the calibrated data to the receiving stations through the selected communiiation channels.
Fig !> depicts the transmission of the calibrated data to the receiving stations. More particularly the depicts burst transmission of weather data in TDM A mode. The data format used by the data logger unit 2 of the system of the present invention comprises a fram.: formal and convolution error correction coding. In addition to the above, a control icdiinditncy check is used, which ensures vulidity of the transmission dula. For data transmission the system of the present invention uses lime division multiple access TDMA) transmission protocol. Any other suitable transmission protocols can be adapted to the system ofthc present invention. The lime frame allotted is one hour with a dot time of 1 sec. Within one-hour link- frame several one-second transmissions are possible. It is understood here that the time frumc ullotmcnt can be suitably modified. The TDMA transmission facilitates transmission of more number of licld stations on tie same carrier. As more number of field stations is possible on the same carrier, bettc channel utilization is assured.
A transmitter 3 is jonncctcd to the data logger 2 for ihe transmission of daia ui a satellite through IJHF transmitter 3 in a preprogrammed designated time slot for a selected receiving station. The Transmitter comprises IJHF synthesizer with tuning step of 10011/ to set the designaied channel frequency. Ihe transmitter 3 further comprises a BPSK. modulator and a Power amplifier with variable power ouipul from 3W to I0W. The data transmission under the protocol is performed through transmitter output 3 is given to a crosse. I di-pole ground \hub antenna 6a and radiated towards satellite mid equipped to chang.; the LHCP and RHCP polarization on field. The data format sc lected for the present invention is a burst format as shown below: The hourly message transmitted by system ofthc present invention with 262 (include 16bits of Frame s> nc and 16bits of L-OT code) bits in the following format:
The frame synch h&s the following format: 1101 1000 1110 0010 (D8li2 in HEX)
Station identificati Data frame (199 bits) consists of the following bits:

Jt is to be noted he>e that CAT, voltages & DCP health have the configuration of 10 bits 1 parity. Sensor data consists of I Obit sensor data+lbit purity+4bits for sensor identification.
During the transmission CRC is added to the data frame and rate convolution coded. The data frame is ihen appended with CR & B'l'R preamble and IJW and transmitted in I DMA mode. Dur.t duration is for above selected time frame is 186mscc. I'lie I'DMA is an open loop system with timing derived from (IPS receiver which is part of AWS. l'DMA Frame duration is 1 Hour. F.ach AWS is assigned lime slot of 1-second duration. The 1-Hour frame is divided into 6 time windows, each of lOminuie duration. Each DCP is assigned 1 -secoi d time slot in any of the 10-minutc slot and the repeat transmission is alter 10 minutes, w hieh falls in the next lime slot.
The salient features of TDMA transmission scheme and Burst format of Ihe present invention are now described by referring to Fig 10. By using this transmission scheme a large number of w -ather stations can he integrated. By way of including CRC in the data frame, data validity could be ensured. Further, by way of preserving BCII coding of Station Identification Code (SID), data quality is checkcd and valid dala retrieved even lor the bad CRC. By preserving present SID (Station identification Code), SID for all user of DRT could be standardized. The SID comprises 21 bits (9bits for user type, 2bits for priority, and 10bits for Platform ID). In addition, by adapting forward error correction
convolution coding, better data quality is easurcd and with one repeat transmission Ihe reliability of data -cception is improved.
The block schom&tic expression of the transmitter of the present invention is given in Fig 11. The transmitu r is interfaced with data logger 2. It gets data, signal, frequency loading signal through serial data interface and hurst control signal. The data signal is passes through buffer, ui.i-polar to Bipolar converter, l ow pass filter, driver amplifier before it is given to BPSK demodulator. Ihe carrier signal at 402.75 MHz to the Modulator is derived through irequcncy synthesizer circuit. The synthesizer frequency is tunable to 100Hz step over irequcney range of+/-200KiIz. The modulated signal is given to power amplifier circuit, fhc POwcr amplifier output is adjustable up to I0W through attenuator control. The power amplifier output signal is given to antenna through an isolator. Also, (lie output power s siimpled and given as monitor signal. 'Hie power amplifier is enabled through enable control (burst control from Data Logger) and in enabled only during transmission to satellite.
The receiving stalions that are connected to the system of the present invention comprises an antenna, lx»w noise Block down Converter, l.-band down converter, DSP based BPSK burst demodulator and data processing system. Specification of each sub-systcin is given below.
Description of Receive system:
'Die satellite signal in lixt C-band is received by ground temiinul consists of .3.6m antenna with G/T better than I Rl' system consists of Tow Noise Block Down Converter (I .NBC), and l.-band Down converter. The LNBC is fitted with feed system amplifies low-level signal received by antenna. Output of I.NOC. goes to T.-band down converter taken through 30m RF cablc. The I,-band con/erter converts L-band signul into IF signal (70+18MHz). The frequency of IF L DSP based burst demodulator, developed at SAC/ISRO. The BPSK burst demodulator consists if 70MH:: to 455K.Hz down converter and DSP board at 455 KHz.. The 455 KHz signal may have frequency offset due to transmitter frequency offset as well as due to satellite frequency olfset. The DSP based BPSK burst demodulator has capability to track up to ±3 kHz in the offset of the carrier signal. The output from IJPSK demodulator is 2.4Kbps data and clock signal. An interface unit converts the synchronous data to asynchronous data at 2400 baud, which goes to data processing system (PC). The data interface unit receives synchronous weather data packet datu demodulator with bit rate of 2400 bj s. It converts synchronous data lo asynchronous data with baud rate of 9600 to the serial i>ort of Data server computer with start and slop delimiters. This server is running with application program for receiving data packei. After receive the data, this application checks the start and end delimiters and then it calculates CRC lor verifying with received CR TAB!.P.»
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Station II):
15100a- Hydcral ad 15009: Hyderabad, 15R)0l: Tirupati, 15M06: Hyderabad, 92a5c: Ahmcdabid
Ihe transmitter i lodule Jbr (he present invention is designed specifically for selected satellite Data collection platforms with following features. The transmitter delivers power of 10 W i,i RPSK modulation mode and is adjustable from 3 to 10 Watts to suit various types of iransmitting antennae. I he selected transmitter uses easily settable pre modulation shaping filler before modulator. The transmitter has very low phase noise to meet narrow Bani data modulation for 300bps and 4.8 kbps. The frequency synthesizer used 100 Hz step size to combat long term drifts in transmit chain and provide possibility lor using narrow bandwidth rcccive chain at receive station. However, it is understood thut the selection of the configuration of transmitter depends on the desired communication jirotocol and communication means. This transmitter configuration should not be considered as limiting the scope ofthc present invention. The transmitter antenna 6n transmits the signal to receiving stations via a Geostationary satellite. However, instead of using satellite communication for transmitting information from the field stations to the earth station, other types of communication can also he alternatively used. The different types of communication may be selected from wireless or other existing telecommunication networks that arc generally used for the transmission of data of this nature.
The data relay tmnspondcr 6 on the satellite receives the data signal at 402.75MHz, then the signal is coiverted to a down link frequency of 4504.2 MHz, amplified and transmitted lowaids the earth station or data receiving member. The earth station hits a receiving antenna 6h, which receives the transmitted data, arid this data is used for further processing and at.alysis.
The communicat on means in the form of a data relay transponder 6 is provided to communicate the weather datu from the field stations to the receiving stations or data receiving membe's. The data relay transponder 6 is from a satellite in orbit or may also he other means >if communication wired or wireless communication devices used for such purposes. 1 ic present invention is explained using satellite communication as the communication means 6. However, this should not be construed to limit the scope ofthc invention.
A low noise blocn down amplifier 7 is connected to the receiving antenna 6b to amplify the signal and to i ut down the low frequency noise signals.
The central Grotnd station (Hub) antenna 6a of size 3.8m, picks op the satellite signal, which is amplified and down converted to L band frequency by a l.NB (I .ow Noise Block down converter) 7. The l.-band frequency is then down converted to 70M.H/. IF frequency througn an L band to IF down converter unit 8. The 70MHz IF signal is given to o Binary Phase Shift Keying BPSK demodulator 9 unit to recover the transmitted data streum. The received data is given to a data server unit 10. where the data is processed and displayed on line us well as stores the data in a file and is accessible through a WLB server 11 througl LAN with appropriate software loaded in both the machines. The data is accessible by u *er through Internet with password.
Maintenance of .lata records of the present invention is now explained by referring to Figures 13-16.
The system of th; present invention is also programmed to list past record scenario and also to facilitate user in deleting the unwanted records. The system of the present invention is also equipped to display the system time lo the user in real time phase. The system of the pnscnt invention is also designed to hold it on stand by mode during the processing of we ither data. .
Therefore, the present invention provides system for real time monitoring and processing of weather data, aid system comprising: at least a field unit for the acquisition of weather parameter signal: and processing of the signals, and at least a data receiving station to rcccivc the proc Accuss (TDMA). 'i'hc data rccciving member comprises; a receiving antenna, a low noise amplifier, a down converter, a Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) demodulator, a data receiving proxssing unit, and an output member.
The present invt ntion also provides a pressure sensor lor sensing of atmospheric pressure, said senior comprising, a diaphragm to measure absolute pressure variations in the form of sigi als, plurality of strain gauges mounted on the diuphragm, and an ulectronics circuii for signal conditioning
The present invw tion further provides a method for real time monitoring and processing of weaiher data, said method comprising the steps of; placing the sensors ofthc field unit at least in one g While there ha\ s been described what arc at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and ii is therefore ai.ned to cover all such changes and modifications as full within the true spirit and scope uf the invention. Advantages
1. The system of the present invention can be easily collecting weather data with
programmed an J setup due to the use of hot keys, keypad and front panel display.
2. The data from the lield stations, which are collected by the sensors, can be easily downloaded by means of a computer.
3. The field stations are rugged and are suitable lor surviving in harsh environments.
4. An additional data storage unit is provided to store ihe weather in formation dala for one year and ul: o the data can be secured by password protection.

We claim:
1. A system for rial tune monitoring and processing of weather data, said system comprising: at last a field unit for the acquisition of weather parameter signals and processing of the signals, and at least a data receiving station to receive the processed signals from the respective field unit, for further processing, display and dissemination of weather information.
2. T'hc system as c.laimed in claim 1, wherein the field unit comprises a plurality of sensors, a data bigger, and a transmission member.
3. Tbe system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensors are selected from a rainfall sensor, a wind »peed sensor, a wind direction sensor, an air temperature sensor, a relative humidily sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a solar radiation sensor, a soil temperature sensor and a soil moisture sensor.
4. The system as c aimed in claim 2, wherein the data logger comprises; a power supply regulator, a microprocessor, a multiplexer cum Analog-to-I)igilal Controller (ADO), a memory member, and a pseudo random burst sequence generator.
5. The system as c aimed in claim J, wherein the transmission protocol is a wireless or a wired communication, preferably Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA).
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data receiving member comprises; a receiving antenna, a low noise amplifier, a down converter, a Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) demodulator, a data receiving processing unit, and an output member.
7. A pressure sen-tor for sensing of atmospheric pressure, said sensor comprising, a diaphragm to measure absolute pressure variations in the form of signals, plurality of strain gauges mounted on the diaphragm, and an electronics circuit for signal conditioning
8. A method for cal time monitoring and processing of weather data, said method comprising the steps of; placing the sensors of the Held unit nl least in one geographical location to collect the weather data, collecting the weather data in the form of signals at prc-dctermined time intervals, feeding the signals to a data logger, transmitting an. I storing the digital signal data in a data logger unit, processing of signal data in the data logger unit, transmitting the stored data from the data logger
unit through a transmission protocol and transmitter to at least a receiving station at pre-defined time slots, receiving and processing of the data by at least a receiving station, and providing an output of weather information.
9. l"hc method according to claim 9, wherein the processing of the received data by receiving stations comprising the steps of; amplifying, the received data signal and reducing the 1 educing low frequency noise signals, converting ihe signal in a down converter received from the low noise amplifier, sending the signal to a Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) demodulator, processing of the demodulated data by a processing number of the receiving stations assimilating, monitoring and processing the information, and .storing and displaying the processed data.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the transmission protocol is the Time division multiple access (TDMA).

Documents:

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Patent Number

279733

Indian Patent Application Number

91/CHE/2005

PG Journal Number

05/2017

Publication Date

03-Feb-2017

Grant Date

30-Jan-2017

Date of Filing

02-Feb-2005

Name of Patentee

DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

Applicant Address

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Headquarters, an Indian Government Organisation, Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bangalore 560094, Karnataka State

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	MOSES JEYAMANI	SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGAINSATION (ISRO), AMBAVADI VISTAR PO, JODHPUR TEKRA AHMEDABAD-380 015.
2	SHAMJI NAGJI SATASHIA	SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION (ISRO), AMBAVADI VISTAR PO, JODHPUR TEKRA, AHMEDABAD 380 015.
3	MOHAMMAD HARROON GULAM RASUL LAHORI	SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, INDIAN SPACE RESEARCFH ORGANISATION (ISRO), AMBAVADI VISTAR PO, JODHPUR TEKRA, AHMEDABAD 380 015.
4	NISHA VINOD KUMAR RANA	SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, INDIAN SPACE RESEARCFH ORGANISATION (ISRO), AMBAVADI VISTAR PO, JODHPUR TEKRA, AHMEDABAD 380 015.
5	MADAN MOHAN CHINNAM	SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, INDIAN SPACE RESEARCFH ORGANISATION (ISRO), AMBAVADI VISTAR PO, JODHPUR TEKRA, AHMEDABAD 380 015.

PCT International Classification Number

G06

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1			NA