Transmitters to allow precise rainfall measurement and thus flood forecasting

Rainfall can be efficiently measured using microwave links between transmitters in mobile networks
Possibility to issue early warnings of flash floods in cities
This method can have practical applications in a number of other areas in the future

In cooperation with the Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague, T-Mobile has been participating in a project involving measurement of rainfall by means of microwave (MW) links used to connect transmitters in a mobile network. Rainfall passing through MW links causes signal attenuation, which is directly proportionate to rain intensity. It has been proven that the data obtained in this manner are reliable and have broad potential for future use – such data will enable, for example, early prediction of the water runoff response of urban catchment areas and thus significantly contribute to better protection of residents and minimisation of damage caused by flash floods.

Rainfall measurement using MW links provides data faster and with higher precision, especially for the area of urban hydrology, than far less numerous rain gauges or expensive radars. Of all the operators in the Czech Republic, T-Mobile has the largest number of MW links in its network – approximately ten thousand, of which roughly one-third are located in Prague. The operator can thus offer a huge number of measuring points.

“The uniqueness of our project consists in the quality of the data we obtain from microwave links. In cooperation with T-Mobile, we have developed software that enables us to collect data from each of the hundreds of these links at ten-second intervals, while with other methods used by research teams in other countries, data are usually collected at 15-minute intervals,” says the Project Manager Vojtěch Bareš of the Czech Technical University. According to Bareš, this method helps obtain more precise and early information, which enables a faster response to imminent flooding situations.

The Czech project “Urban storm water runoff predictions based on rainfall-induced attenuation of telecommunication microwave links” has been running since 2013, with the first three years being dedicated exclusively to collection and validation of data from MW links. Experts from the Czech Technical University selected the Prague 18 – Letňany district as the model area, where they also installed a number of measuring devices, in particular rain gauges and flowmeters, and set up a small weather station on one of the transmitters. The acquired data have proven to be reliable and have significant utility potential. Thanks to online information about current rainfall and early and precise prediction of water runoff from the catchment area, it is possible to, for example:

• protect residents and property more effectively during urban flash floods
• optimise the operation of urban sewage systems and water treatment plants
• make radar weather forecasts more precise for larger territorial units
• optimise the operation of agricultural irrigation systems

The Czech Technical University and T-Mobile currently cooperate with several Czech and foreign institutions on the preparation of the future practical application of data from MW links. At the same time, they are preparing to expand this method with another type of radio links, namely high-capacity links enabling data transmission at speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.