Preliminary results of measurements obtained from a low-cost arduino-based surface weather data acquisition system for radio meteorology

Abstract

Surface weather monitoring is crucial for radio meteorology, agricultural, communication, and industrial processes. However, there is a dearth of weather data in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria (Lat 7.736° N, Lon 4.435° E). The proposed weather monitoring system used the Arduino Mega2560 microcontroller to measure, record and display the atmospheric parameters. Analog sensors for pressure, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed were interfaced with the microcontroller through an ADC for digital signal conversion and data logging. An LCD connected to the microcontroller displays the measured parameters. The weather data were stored in excel format on a microSD card. The data were compared with that of a nearby weather station. The plots showed a close agreement with the data collected from the nearby station. The system eliminates the need for extra cost baud rate and expensive third-party software for interfacing. Besides, there is no need for an internet connection for configuration. Hence, this data acquisition system (DAS) could be a better choice in cost and maintenance than the off-the-shelf weather stations. The DAS was programmed to derive the surface radio refractivity from the meteorological parameters and the corresponding radio refractivity gradients over Ede.