Development of an Environment and Climate Data Acquisition System (EC-DAQS) for Radio Propagation Studies

Most weather monitoring systems used for measuring meteorological parameters are imported. For many developing countries like Nigeria, importing instruments is practically bedeviled with problems due to erratic exchange rates. This has hampered weather-related research especially in radio propagation studies where finite data required. In the quest develop a home-grown system, this paper presents an Environment and Climate acquisition system (EC-DAQS). EC-DAQS, Arduino Mega2560 microcontroller along six environment sensors were coded measure, record display atmospheric parameters. digital signal processing logging, interconnected through analogue-to-digital-converter (ADC). The measured displayed on liquid crystal (LCD) screen remotely connected controller. Temperature, Ultraviolet Violet (UV) rays, humidity sound level tested calibrated “off-the shelf” instruments. mean bias error (MBE) root square (RMSE) validate temperature readings from EC-DAQS standard infra-red thermometer. low results of MBE (0.16°C) RMSE (0.51°C) – showed close proximity between thermometer measurements. Also, equation obtained modelling straight line near unity slope (0.994) correlation 99.98%. developed will be useful instrument, suitable replacement imported stations terms performance, cost maintenance. It also provide some invaluable needed radio-propagation applications.