Rainfall Vertical Profile Variability In Malaysia Based On Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Using NASA Data.
RAINFALL VERTICAL PROFILE VARIABILITY IN MALAYSIA BASED
ON TROPICAL RAINFALL MEASURING MISSION (TRMM)
USING NASA DATA
MAHIRAH BT MANSOR ADABI
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA (UTeM)
RAINFALL VERTICAL PROFILE VARIABILITY IN MALAYSIA BASED
ON TROPICAL RAINFALL MEASURING MISSION (TRMM)
USING NASA DATA
MAHIRAH BT MANSOR ADABI
This report is submitted in partial fulfillment requirements for the Bachelor
Degree of Electronic Engineering (Telecommunication Electronic) with
Honours
Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (FKEKK)
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
(UTeM)
JUNE 2014
ii
I declare that this thesis entitled “Vertical Profile Variability in Malaysia Based on
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Using NASA Data” is the result of my
own research except as cited in the references.
Signature
: ……………………………………..
Name
: Mahirah Bt Mansor Adabi
Date
: 6 June 2014
iii
I hereby declare that I have read this thesis and in my opinion this thesis is sufficient
in terms of scope and quality for the award of Bachelor of Electronic Engineering
(Telecommunication Engineering) With Honour’s.
Signature
: ……………………………………..
Supervisor Name
: En.Nor Azlan Bin Mohd Aris
Date
: 6 June 2014
iv
To my beloved parents, Mansor Adabi Shaari and Sharifah Yahya,
and my dearest family
and also my respectable supervisor, En Nor Azlan Mohd Aris.
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, many thankful for my beloved parents Sharifah Bt Yahya and
Mansor Adabi Bin Shaari for their support and given more motivation to me during
in this research. I am very appreciate all the support from my parents that always
remember me that to get success must be always think positive and motivate on the
self besides keep strong physical and mind.
For my supervisor, En Nor Azlan Bin Mohd Aris, I would like to express my
gratitude for the guidance and sharing the knowledge step by step through this
research. Besides, very patient always spent time to improve my research from time
to time.
Finally, I am also appreciation goes to Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
(UTeM) and Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) for financial support, also all the
staff at Faculty of Electronic & Computer Engineering (FKEKK), all my members
that always support and sharing the idea in my research and also being co-operative
and helpful as well as other individuals who are not listed.
vi
ABSTRACT
Rain along the transmission path is the major weather effect of concern for
satellite communications operating at frequencies above 10GHz. Rain attenuation
causes by absorb and scatter radio wave energy, which degrades the reliability and
performances of the communications link. Furthermore, rain effect also depends on
frequency, rain rate, drop size distribution and drop shape, which are determine by
rain types. The precipitation radar (PR) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
(TRMM) satellites enables capture of the three-dimensional storm structure.
Therefore vertical and horizontal distribution of rain are data wanted to investigate
attenuation effect of rainfall rates, because the radar echo at the PR frequency of
13.8GHz suffer from significant attenuation. Two common rain types are convective
rain and stratiform rain. The convective flows occur in a cell whose horizontal extent
is usually several kilometers. For stratiform rain typically hundreds of kilometers
cover large geographic areas durations exceeding one hour low rain rate. The
estimation of rain height and rain rate attenuation required in the step by step
calculation by ITU-R P.618-10. To observe the bright-band height is estimated from
TRMM Precipitation Radar also relate in 2A23 and 2A25 algorithm. By assuming
that lies 500 m above bright-band, the
C isotherm height is calculated. Comparison
with the TRMM collecting data shows quite good that indicates with ITU-R
recommendation prediction model. This study shows better performances especially
purpose of improving rain attenuation prediction model.
vii
ABSTRAK
Hujan adalah factor utama sepanjang laluan penghantaran isyarat yang
mempengaruhi sistem komunikasi satelit yang beroperasi pada frekuensi melebihi
10GHz. Ganguan hujan disebabkan oleh penyerap dan penyerakkan tenaga
gelombang radio, yang menyebabkan kemerosotan pencapaian pada pautan
komunikasi. Selain itu, kesan hujan juga bergantung kepada kekerapan, kadar hujan,
taburan saiz dan bentuk, yang ditentukan oleh jenis hujan. Radar hujan (PR) di Misi
Pengukuran Hujan Tropika (TRMM) dianggap salah satu alat satelit membolehkan
struktur hujan tiga dimensi. Oleh itu taburan menegak dan mendatar hujan adalah
data untuk mengkaji kesan pengecilan kadar hujan, kerana gema radar pada frekuensi
Precipitation Radar adalah 13.8GHz mengalami pengecilan yang ketara. Dua jenis
hujan ialah hujan perolakan dan stratiform hujan. Aliran perolakan berlaku dalam
kawasan yang mendatar biasanya beberapa kilometer. Untuk hujan stratiform
biasanya berlaku beratus-ratus kilometer meliputi kawasan geografi yang besar serta
jangka masa melebihi kadar hujan yang rendah diantara beberapa jam. Anggaran
ketinggian hujan dan kadar hujan pengecilan diperlukan dalam langkah dengan
menggunakan pengiraan model oleh ITU-R P.618-10. Ketinggian bright-band
dianggar daripada TRMM Precipitation Radar juga berkaitan di antara 2A23 dan
2A25 algoritma. Dengan menganggap jarak terletak 500 m di atas bright-band,
ketinggian
C isoterma ditentukan mengikut anggaran. Perbandingan dengan
mengumpul data TRMM menunjukkan keputusan yang agak baik dengan ITU-R
model. Analisis kajian ini menunjukkan keupayaan prestasi terutamanya tujuan
penambahbaikkan model.
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
1
2
TITLE
PAGE
DECLARATION
ii
DEDICATION
iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
v
ABSTRACT
vi
ABSTRAK
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
viii
LIST OF TABLE
xi
LIST OF FIGURES
xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
xiv
LIST OF SYMBOL
xv
LIST OF APPENDICES
xvi
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Research Background
1
1.2
Problem Statement
2
1.3
Objective
3
1.4
Scope of Work
3
1.5
Thesis Outline
4
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
TRMM Satellite
6
2.2
History – Development, Launch, Boost
8
2.3
GPM – New Technology
9
2.4
GMI – Microwave Imager
11
2.5
Dual Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) 12
2.6
Precipitation Radar
13
ix
2.7
3
4
2.6.1
Principle of Operations
14
2.6.2
Rain Type Classification Algorithm 15
2.6.3
Data Product 2A23 & 2A25
16
Vertical Profile of Rainfall
21
2.7.1
Freezing Height
21
2.7.2
Bright-band Height
23
2.7.3
Melting Layer
24
METHODOLOGY
3.1
Introduction
25
3.2
Research Flow Chart
25
3.3
Rain Vertical Profile
26
3.4
Software Tools
27
3.4.1
Freeze Height
29
3.4.2
Bright-Band Height
30
3.4.3
Melting Layer
31
3.5
Rain Attenuation Model
32
3.6
ITU-R Recommendation P.839-3
33
3.7
ITU-R recommendation P.618-10
34
3.8
Comparison
37
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
4.1
Introduction
38
4.2
Rain Height Analysis from TRMM
38
4.2.1
Freezing Height Level
39
4.2.2
Variation of Bright-Band Height
40
4.3
Estimation of Melting Layer Thickness
43
4.3.1
ITU-R Recommendation P.839-3
44
4.3.2
ITU-R Recommendation P.618-10
45
x
5
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATION
5.1
Conclusion
48
5.2
Recommendation
50
REFERENCE
51
APPENDIX A
53
APPENDIX B
56
APPENDIX C
58
xi
LIST OF TABLE
TABLE
TITLE
PAGE
2.1
Comparison TMI (TRMM) and GMI (GPM)
11
2.2
PR radar echo collection parameters
14
2.3
Rain types classification
15
2.4
Comparison Bright-band height at three locations
22
4.1
Comparison of rain rate at four locations
45
4.2
Parameters for rain attenuation calculation
46
xii
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE
TITLE
PAGE
2.1
Sensors provided by TRMM Satellite
7
2.2
Global Precipitation Measurement
9
(GPM) instruments
2.3
GMI and DPR instruments aboard
10
the GPM Core Observatory
2.4
The GMI the total precipitation within channels
11
(166 to 183 gigahertz)
2.5
Map shows continuous DPR coverage over one
12
orbit compared to spotty ground-based radar
coverage across region area
2.6
Scanning capabilities of the DPR onboard
12
the GPM Core satellite
2.7
Alternate view of the TRMM spacecraft
14
and its payload
2.8
Algorithm 2A23 & 2A25 flow chart
17
2.9
Step of Algorithm 2A23 to validate rain types,
18
bright-band height and freeze height
2.10
Example of TRMM data visualized using
19
Orbit Viewer THOR of the Level 3 product
2.11
Distribution 0C isotherm height over Penang
21
2.12
Distribution 0C isotherm height over Subang
21
2.13
Distribution 0C isotherm height over Kluang
21
2.14
Bright-band relation with 0^0C isotherm height
22
conceptual model.
3.1
Research Flow Chart
25
xiii
3.2
Typical vertical profile of radar reflectivity during 26
stratiform rain (Thurai et al., 2005).
3.3
Example of TRMM data visualized using
27
Orbit Viewer THOR of the Level 3 product
3.4
Boundary zones rainfall
29
3.5
Comparison Bright-band height (BBH)
30
TRMM PR (at Malaysia) and ground base radar
Singapore and Papua New Guinea locations
3.6
Earth space path to be input the attenuation
34
prediction process
4.1
Annual distribution of monthly average as
39
0C isotherm height from TRMM PR measurement
and ITU-R P.839-3
4.2
Vertical profile of radar reflectivity based on
40
TRMM PR 2A25 data
4.3
Annual distribution of monthly average as
41
bright-band height from TRMM PR measurement
at Malaysia
4.4
Monthly average of melting layer thickness
43
in Malaysia.
4.5
Annual rain rate distribution at Kuala Lumpur
45
xiv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
CERES
-
Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System
DSD
-
Drop Size Distribution
DPR
-
Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar
GPM
-
Global Precipitation Mission
GUI
-
Graphical User Interface
GMI
-
GPM Microwave Imager
HDF
-
Hierarchical Data Format
ITU-R
-
International Telecommunication Union, Radiocommunication
Sector
JAXA
-
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
LIS
-
Lighting Imaging Sensor
MATLAB
-
Matrix Laboratory
NASA
-
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
PR
-
Precipitation Radar
THOR
-
Tools for High-resolution Observation Review
TMI
-
TRMM Microwave Imager
TRMM
-
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
VIRS
-
Visible and Infrared Scanner
xv
LIST OF SYMBOLS
-
Frequency
-
C isotherm height
-
Bright-band height
-
Rain height
-
Earth station latitude
-
Specific attenuation
-
Horizontal projection of
-
Slant-path length
-
Earth station latitude
-
Rain rate
-
Rainfall rate exceeded for 0.01% of the yearly time
-
Earth radius
-
Effective radar reflectivity factor
-
Polarization angle
σ
-
Standard deviation
Ѱ
-
Elevation angle
-
Wavelength
-
Speed of light (approximately ǔ3 x 10Ǖ^8 m/s)
-
Rain attenuation in decibel (dB)
-
Equivalent path length (km)
-
Specific rain attenuation
R
C
L
xvi
LIST OF APPENDIX
APPENDIX
A
TITLE
PAGE
Comparison Melting Layer, Zero Isotherm Height 53
and Bright-Band Height using 2A25 and 2A23
Algorithm product in a year 2013 at Malaysia.
B
Annex 1, ITU-R Recommendation P.837-6
56
C
Additional result for testing activity
58
rain rate attenuation
1
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ON TROPICAL RAINFALL MEASURING MISSION (TRMM)
USING NASA DATA
MAHIRAH BT MANSOR ADABI
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA (UTeM)
RAINFALL VERTICAL PROFILE VARIABILITY IN MALAYSIA BASED
ON TROPICAL RAINFALL MEASURING MISSION (TRMM)
USING NASA DATA
MAHIRAH BT MANSOR ADABI
This report is submitted in partial fulfillment requirements for the Bachelor
Degree of Electronic Engineering (Telecommunication Electronic) with
Honours
Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (FKEKK)
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
(UTeM)
JUNE 2014
ii
I declare that this thesis entitled “Vertical Profile Variability in Malaysia Based on
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Using NASA Data” is the result of my
own research except as cited in the references.
Signature
: ……………………………………..
Name
: Mahirah Bt Mansor Adabi
Date
: 6 June 2014
iii
I hereby declare that I have read this thesis and in my opinion this thesis is sufficient
in terms of scope and quality for the award of Bachelor of Electronic Engineering
(Telecommunication Engineering) With Honour’s.
Signature
: ……………………………………..
Supervisor Name
: En.Nor Azlan Bin Mohd Aris
Date
: 6 June 2014
iv
To my beloved parents, Mansor Adabi Shaari and Sharifah Yahya,
and my dearest family
and also my respectable supervisor, En Nor Azlan Mohd Aris.
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, many thankful for my beloved parents Sharifah Bt Yahya and
Mansor Adabi Bin Shaari for their support and given more motivation to me during
in this research. I am very appreciate all the support from my parents that always
remember me that to get success must be always think positive and motivate on the
self besides keep strong physical and mind.
For my supervisor, En Nor Azlan Bin Mohd Aris, I would like to express my
gratitude for the guidance and sharing the knowledge step by step through this
research. Besides, very patient always spent time to improve my research from time
to time.
Finally, I am also appreciation goes to Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
(UTeM) and Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) for financial support, also all the
staff at Faculty of Electronic & Computer Engineering (FKEKK), all my members
that always support and sharing the idea in my research and also being co-operative
and helpful as well as other individuals who are not listed.
vi
ABSTRACT
Rain along the transmission path is the major weather effect of concern for
satellite communications operating at frequencies above 10GHz. Rain attenuation
causes by absorb and scatter radio wave energy, which degrades the reliability and
performances of the communications link. Furthermore, rain effect also depends on
frequency, rain rate, drop size distribution and drop shape, which are determine by
rain types. The precipitation radar (PR) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
(TRMM) satellites enables capture of the three-dimensional storm structure.
Therefore vertical and horizontal distribution of rain are data wanted to investigate
attenuation effect of rainfall rates, because the radar echo at the PR frequency of
13.8GHz suffer from significant attenuation. Two common rain types are convective
rain and stratiform rain. The convective flows occur in a cell whose horizontal extent
is usually several kilometers. For stratiform rain typically hundreds of kilometers
cover large geographic areas durations exceeding one hour low rain rate. The
estimation of rain height and rain rate attenuation required in the step by step
calculation by ITU-R P.618-10. To observe the bright-band height is estimated from
TRMM Precipitation Radar also relate in 2A23 and 2A25 algorithm. By assuming
that lies 500 m above bright-band, the
C isotherm height is calculated. Comparison
with the TRMM collecting data shows quite good that indicates with ITU-R
recommendation prediction model. This study shows better performances especially
purpose of improving rain attenuation prediction model.
vii
ABSTRAK
Hujan adalah factor utama sepanjang laluan penghantaran isyarat yang
mempengaruhi sistem komunikasi satelit yang beroperasi pada frekuensi melebihi
10GHz. Ganguan hujan disebabkan oleh penyerap dan penyerakkan tenaga
gelombang radio, yang menyebabkan kemerosotan pencapaian pada pautan
komunikasi. Selain itu, kesan hujan juga bergantung kepada kekerapan, kadar hujan,
taburan saiz dan bentuk, yang ditentukan oleh jenis hujan. Radar hujan (PR) di Misi
Pengukuran Hujan Tropika (TRMM) dianggap salah satu alat satelit membolehkan
struktur hujan tiga dimensi. Oleh itu taburan menegak dan mendatar hujan adalah
data untuk mengkaji kesan pengecilan kadar hujan, kerana gema radar pada frekuensi
Precipitation Radar adalah 13.8GHz mengalami pengecilan yang ketara. Dua jenis
hujan ialah hujan perolakan dan stratiform hujan. Aliran perolakan berlaku dalam
kawasan yang mendatar biasanya beberapa kilometer. Untuk hujan stratiform
biasanya berlaku beratus-ratus kilometer meliputi kawasan geografi yang besar serta
jangka masa melebihi kadar hujan yang rendah diantara beberapa jam. Anggaran
ketinggian hujan dan kadar hujan pengecilan diperlukan dalam langkah dengan
menggunakan pengiraan model oleh ITU-R P.618-10. Ketinggian bright-band
dianggar daripada TRMM Precipitation Radar juga berkaitan di antara 2A23 dan
2A25 algoritma. Dengan menganggap jarak terletak 500 m di atas bright-band,
ketinggian
C isoterma ditentukan mengikut anggaran. Perbandingan dengan
mengumpul data TRMM menunjukkan keputusan yang agak baik dengan ITU-R
model. Analisis kajian ini menunjukkan keupayaan prestasi terutamanya tujuan
penambahbaikkan model.
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
1
2
TITLE
PAGE
DECLARATION
ii
DEDICATION
iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
v
ABSTRACT
vi
ABSTRAK
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
viii
LIST OF TABLE
xi
LIST OF FIGURES
xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
xiv
LIST OF SYMBOL
xv
LIST OF APPENDICES
xvi
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Research Background
1
1.2
Problem Statement
2
1.3
Objective
3
1.4
Scope of Work
3
1.5
Thesis Outline
4
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
TRMM Satellite
6
2.2
History – Development, Launch, Boost
8
2.3
GPM – New Technology
9
2.4
GMI – Microwave Imager
11
2.5
Dual Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) 12
2.6
Precipitation Radar
13
ix
2.7
3
4
2.6.1
Principle of Operations
14
2.6.2
Rain Type Classification Algorithm 15
2.6.3
Data Product 2A23 & 2A25
16
Vertical Profile of Rainfall
21
2.7.1
Freezing Height
21
2.7.2
Bright-band Height
23
2.7.3
Melting Layer
24
METHODOLOGY
3.1
Introduction
25
3.2
Research Flow Chart
25
3.3
Rain Vertical Profile
26
3.4
Software Tools
27
3.4.1
Freeze Height
29
3.4.2
Bright-Band Height
30
3.4.3
Melting Layer
31
3.5
Rain Attenuation Model
32
3.6
ITU-R Recommendation P.839-3
33
3.7
ITU-R recommendation P.618-10
34
3.8
Comparison
37
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
4.1
Introduction
38
4.2
Rain Height Analysis from TRMM
38
4.2.1
Freezing Height Level
39
4.2.2
Variation of Bright-Band Height
40
4.3
Estimation of Melting Layer Thickness
43
4.3.1
ITU-R Recommendation P.839-3
44
4.3.2
ITU-R Recommendation P.618-10
45
x
5
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATION
5.1
Conclusion
48
5.2
Recommendation
50
REFERENCE
51
APPENDIX A
53
APPENDIX B
56
APPENDIX C
58
xi
LIST OF TABLE
TABLE
TITLE
PAGE
2.1
Comparison TMI (TRMM) and GMI (GPM)
11
2.2
PR radar echo collection parameters
14
2.3
Rain types classification
15
2.4
Comparison Bright-band height at three locations
22
4.1
Comparison of rain rate at four locations
45
4.2
Parameters for rain attenuation calculation
46
xii
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE
TITLE
PAGE
2.1
Sensors provided by TRMM Satellite
7
2.2
Global Precipitation Measurement
9
(GPM) instruments
2.3
GMI and DPR instruments aboard
10
the GPM Core Observatory
2.4
The GMI the total precipitation within channels
11
(166 to 183 gigahertz)
2.5
Map shows continuous DPR coverage over one
12
orbit compared to spotty ground-based radar
coverage across region area
2.6
Scanning capabilities of the DPR onboard
12
the GPM Core satellite
2.7
Alternate view of the TRMM spacecraft
14
and its payload
2.8
Algorithm 2A23 & 2A25 flow chart
17
2.9
Step of Algorithm 2A23 to validate rain types,
18
bright-band height and freeze height
2.10
Example of TRMM data visualized using
19
Orbit Viewer THOR of the Level 3 product
2.11
Distribution 0C isotherm height over Penang
21
2.12
Distribution 0C isotherm height over Subang
21
2.13
Distribution 0C isotherm height over Kluang
21
2.14
Bright-band relation with 0^0C isotherm height
22
conceptual model.
3.1
Research Flow Chart
25
xiii
3.2
Typical vertical profile of radar reflectivity during 26
stratiform rain (Thurai et al., 2005).
3.3
Example of TRMM data visualized using
27
Orbit Viewer THOR of the Level 3 product
3.4
Boundary zones rainfall
29
3.5
Comparison Bright-band height (BBH)
30
TRMM PR (at Malaysia) and ground base radar
Singapore and Papua New Guinea locations
3.6
Earth space path to be input the attenuation
34
prediction process
4.1
Annual distribution of monthly average as
39
0C isotherm height from TRMM PR measurement
and ITU-R P.839-3
4.2
Vertical profile of radar reflectivity based on
40
TRMM PR 2A25 data
4.3
Annual distribution of monthly average as
41
bright-band height from TRMM PR measurement
at Malaysia
4.4
Monthly average of melting layer thickness
43
in Malaysia.
4.5
Annual rain rate distribution at Kuala Lumpur
45
xiv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
CERES
-
Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System
DSD
-
Drop Size Distribution
DPR
-
Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar
GPM
-
Global Precipitation Mission
GUI
-
Graphical User Interface
GMI
-
GPM Microwave Imager
HDF
-
Hierarchical Data Format
ITU-R
-
International Telecommunication Union, Radiocommunication
Sector
JAXA
-
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
LIS
-
Lighting Imaging Sensor
MATLAB
-
Matrix Laboratory
NASA
-
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
PR
-
Precipitation Radar
THOR
-
Tools for High-resolution Observation Review
TMI
-
TRMM Microwave Imager
TRMM
-
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
VIRS
-
Visible and Infrared Scanner
xv
LIST OF SYMBOLS
-
Frequency
-
C isotherm height
-
Bright-band height
-
Rain height
-
Earth station latitude
-
Specific attenuation
-
Horizontal projection of
-
Slant-path length
-
Earth station latitude
-
Rain rate
-
Rainfall rate exceeded for 0.01% of the yearly time
-
Earth radius
-
Effective radar reflectivity factor
-
Polarization angle
σ
-
Standard deviation
Ѱ
-
Elevation angle
-
Wavelength
-
Speed of light (approximately ǔ3 x 10Ǖ^8 m/s)
-
Rain attenuation in decibel (dB)
-
Equivalent path length (km)
-
Specific rain attenuation
R
C
L
xvi
LIST OF APPENDIX
APPENDIX
A
TITLE
PAGE
Comparison Melting Layer, Zero Isotherm Height 53
and Bright-Band Height using 2A25 and 2A23
Algorithm product in a year 2013 at Malaysia.
B
Annex 1, ITU-R Recommendation P.837-6
56
C
Additional result for testing activity
58
rain rate attenuation
1
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