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The backhauling links of terrestrial wireless networks (Commercial Microwave Links, CMLs) and the downlink of satellite broadcasting/broadband services (Satellite Microwave Links, SML) operating in the Ku-band and above, say >10 GHz, proved effective opportunistic systems for rainfall sensing. CMLs and SMLs exhibit, indeed, features that make them suitable to complement conventional measurements carried out by rain gauge networks, weather radars, and Earth observation satellites. Based on the experience achieved by several research teams active on this topic in Italy since 2017, this paper compares CMLs and SMLs as opportunistic rainfall sensors from different perspectives. We address technical aspects (complexity of data acquisition and processing), performance (spatio-temporal resolution, accuracy, sensitivity and benefits brought by AI techniques), data accessibility and ownership, and deployment and operational costs. Finally, the perspectives of such opportunistic sensors and their potential as operational tools are also assessed in accordance with the evolution of wireless networks: in particular, the increase of fiber backhauling and the shift towards mmWave bands for CMLs will be important aspects for the future of CMLs, whereas the deployment of large and mega constellations of LEO satellites may be beneficial to SMLs.
Acknowledgment - This work was supported by the following projects: SCORE, funded by European Commission’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 101003534; Space It Up, funded by the ASI, the MUR – Contract no. 2024- 5-E.0 - CUP no. I53D24000060005; FoReLab (Departments of Excellence), funded by the Italian Ministry of Education and Research (MUR); COST Action CA20136 OPENSENSE, funded by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology); MODMET agreement between DPC and ARPAE.
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