WIRELESS COMMUNICATION LINK QUALITY FORECASTING

Apparatus and method for forecasting the quality of radio communication links on a short-term basis are disclosed, the apparatus including at least one, and preferably an ensemble of, sensors providing output indicia indicative of evolving atmospheric and/or ionospheric conditions in the vicinity of a monitored communication link. The sensors may include any device that provides data containing predictive information, such as a microwave radiometer for receiving atmospheric emissions that are related to atmospheric scattering and absorption of radio propagation, input for measurement of the signal-to-noise ratio of the radio link carrier, and sensors of surface meteorology including barometric pressure, temperature, and surface winds direction and velocity. Data provided is processed utilizing mathematical inversion (also referred to as function estimation) techniques to provide predictions of changing link quality in the short-term (e.g., down to and less than 15 minutes) requiring communication link adaptation. The apparatus and methods employed are completely automated and link-site based.