Disposable falling sensors to monitor atmospheric parameters

Detailed studies and researches about clouds and precipitations characterization are considered to play a key role in weather and strong events prediction. Most monitoring instruments perform indirect monitoring operation, sensing the parameters from a remote position and not being directly inside the phenomenon. A feasibility analysis of a set of disposable sensors is presented. The very light sensors are planned to be dropped by a plane or a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in the atmosphere and are designed to dynamically behave as very light particles similar to raindrops in their fluctuations and falling through the atmosphere. In order to realize sensing probes with a similar fluid-dynamic behavior of drops, the weight, the size and the surface properties of the probes should be carefully designed. An estimated size of the order of many centimeters and a total weight of less than 15 g is needed. Consequently particular attention has to be paid in designing electronic boards and in the choice of integrated measurement sensors as well as the transmitter. Minimum power consumption should be also guaranteed, in order to assure the proper working during the fluctuating and falling time. Sensors installed on the sensing probe will measure different atmospheric parameters (e.g. humidity, temperature, pressure, acceleration) with a sampling interval of the order of some milliseconds. All data are then sent to a receiver located on the ground and can then be stored and post processed for further analysis.