Design of a Microcontroller-Based Data Acquisition System for Ground Weather Observations: Evaluation of Radio Refractivity of Air

Amar Adane, Ania Ali Yahia, Essaid Mameri, Abd-El-Hamid Adane

Laboratory of Image Processing and Radiation, U.S.T.H.B., Algiers, Algeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ijcns.2014.79037                

Abstract

A meteorological data acquisition system is built using a PIC16F877A microcontroller and electric output-based sensors. This system is programmed in C language using the PCWH compiler. It is smart, accurate, cheap, small, light and easily movable. It is designed to automatically get instantaneous measurements of air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and relative humidity. Depending on their utilisation, these measurements are collected with repetition rate tuneable from one minute to one hour. They are displayed on LCD screen and transferred to a personal computer where they are stored and processed. As an application, such data are recorded in situ and used to estimate the radio refractivity of air near the ground in real time. This parameter is necessary to account for the propagation of radiofrequency waves through the lower atmosphere, during wireless transmissions.

Keywords

Microcontroller, Sensors, C Programming, Meteorology, Radio Refractivity

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Bolton, W. (2009) Programmable Logic Controller. 5th Edition, Newnes, Oxford.
[2]	Tavernier, C. (2004) Les Microcontroleurs: Description et mise en Euvre. Dunod, Paris.
[3]	Crisp, J. (2004) An Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers. Elsevier, Boston.
[4]	Smith, S.W. (2003) Digital Signal Processing: A Practical Guide for Engineers and Scientists. 3rd Edition, Newnes, Oxford.
[5]	Hartmut, F., Sadrozinski, W. and Wu, J.Y. (2010) Applications of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays in Scientific Research. Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton.
[6]	Asch, G. (2010) Les capteurs en instrumentation industrielle. 7th Edition, Dunod, Paris.
[7]	Gardner, J.W. (1994) Microsensors: Principles and Applications. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
[8]	TD 16 (2012) Meteosat Data Collection and Distribution Service. Eumetsat, Darmstadt.
[9]	Pereira, A.C. and Brito, A.A.S. (1990) A Microprocessor-Based Semiconductor Solar Radiometer. Solar Energy, 44, 137-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(90)90075-N
[10]	Ozcan, O. and Gündüz, M. (2014) Investigation and Implementation of a PIC-Based Sensor Node for Wireless Sensor Networks. Journal of Computer and Communications, 2, 90-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jcc.2014.24013
[11]	Laghrouche, M., Adane, A., Boussey, J., Ameur, S., Meunier, D. and Tardu, S. (2005) A Miniature Silicon Hot Wire Sensor for Automatic Wind Speed Measurements. Renewable Energy, 30, 1881-1896. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2004.12.005
[12]	Bhaskar, P., Bhagyajyoti and Immanuel, J. (2012) Design and Development of Microcontroller-Based Photoacoustic Spectrometer. Sensors & Transducers, 14, 26-34.
[13]	Deep, G.S., Rabelo, E.B., Cavalcanti, J.H.F. and Perkusich, A. (1987) Microcomputer-Based Data Acquisition System for Transient Studies in Hydrology. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, IM-36, 940-944. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TIM.1987.6312586
[14]	Ameur, S., Laghrouche, M. and Adane, A. (2001) Monitoring a Greenhouse Using a Microcontroller-Based Meteorological Data-Acquisition System. Renewable Energy, 24, 19-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0960-1481(00)00181-6
[15]	Wexler, A. (1976) Vapor Pressure Formulation for Water in Range 0 to 100°C. Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards, A Physics and Chemistry, 80A, 775-785.
[16]	Wexler, A. (1977) Vapor Pressure Formulation for Ice. Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards, A Physics and Chemistry, 81A, 5-20.
[17]	Boithias, L. (1987) Radio Wave Propagation. Mc Graw-Hill, New York.
[18]	Sauvageot, H. (1992) Radar Meteorology. Artech House, Norwood.
[19]	Tavernier, C. (2005) Programmation en C des PIC. Dunod, Paris.
[20]	Haddad, B. and Adane, A. (1998) Modelling of the Diurnal Structure of the Surface Boundary Layer. Proceedings WREC V, 5th World Renewable Energy Congress, Florence, 20-25 September 1998, 2484-2487.