A rain gauge is disclosed and includes a collection cylinder and a rain gauge head. The rain gauge head includes an intake opening and a vane tail, with the vane tail redirecting the intake opening to face oncoming wind and rain so that the intake opening collects oncoming rain. The rain gauge head includes a rainwater discharge to deposit rainwater within the collection cylinder. The rainwater discharge may be rotatably fastened to the collection cylinder so that the rain gauge head is free to rotate around a vertical axis for 360 degrees. Alternatively, the rain gauge head and collection cylinder may rotate in unison. An air exhaust port and air pressure relief valve may be formed in either of the rain head gauge or collection cylinder to release air trapped within the rain gauge. Airfoils may be placed on the collection cylinder to better redirect the rain gauge.

The present disclosure discloses a robot system and method for monitoring farmland nitrogen leaching. The robot system includes a cloud platform, a monitoring robot, and a leachate collection module. The cloud platform is configured to send information about a to-be-measured site and a to-be-measured depth to the monitoring robot and receive measurement information of the monitoring robot; and the monitoring robot is configured to move to the to-be-measured site to be connected to the leachate collection module at the to-be-measured depth of the to-be-measured site, extract a leachate of the leachate collection module, perform leachate nitrogen detection on the leachate, and send a leachate nitrogen detection result to the cloud platform.

The present disclosure discloses a robot system and method for monitoring farmland nitrogen leaching. The robot system includes a cloud platform, a monitoring robot, and a leachate collection module. The cloud platform is configured to send information about a to-be-measured site and a to-be-measured depth to the monitoring robot and receive measurement information of the monitoring robot; and the monitoring robot is configured to move to the to-be-measured site to be connected to the leachate collection module at the to-be-measured depth of the to-be-measured site, extract a leachate of the leachate collection module, perform leachate nitrogen detection on the leachate, and send a leachate nitrogen detection result to the cloud platform.

Movement of photovoltaic panels is measured using an array of low-cost devices. Accelerometers are mounted on photovoltaic panels across a site to measure wind speed and direction. Time stamped data from the devices is transmitted to a central computing device which calculates a rolling, lagging wind speed and direction. Measured movement of the photovoltaic panels is used to determine when to place photovoltaic panels in a protective stow mode to reduce damage during a wind event.

Movement of photovoltaic panels is measured using an array of low-cost devices. Accelerometers are mounted on photovoltaic panels across a site to measure wind speed and direction. Time stamped data from the devices is transmitted to a central computing device which calculates a rolling, lagging wind speed and direction. Measured movement of the photovoltaic panels is used to determine when to place photovoltaic panels in a protective stow mode to reduce damage during a wind event.

An antenna direction calculation device acquires a plurality of relationships, each indicating a relationship between: weather data on a radio wave communication path between a transmitting-side antenna and a receiving-side antenna; and an optimal reception direction for the receiving-side antenna in a case of: a radio wave transmission direction of the transmitting-side antenna being a predetermined transmission direction; and the weather data. The antenna direction calculation device generates, using the plurality of relationships and a machine learning technique, a direction calculation model that, upon receiving an input of weather data on the radio wave communication path, outputs a reception direction for the receiving-side antenna, using the plurality of relationships and a machine learning technique.

A method for providing an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method uses multiple, dissimilar pressure references, such as in airport weather stations, personal weather stations, and wireless terminals such as smartphones, in order to provide the enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method generates an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure based on a first estimate of reference barometric pressure from a first pressure reference network made up of airport weather stations, for example. The method also uses a second estimate of reference barometric pressure from a second pressure reference network made of up personal weather stations, for example, and a third estimate of reference barometric pressure, also from the second network. The first, second, and third estimates of reference barometric pressure are combined such that both measurement accuracy and timeliness are improved in the resulting, enhanced estimate.

A method for providing an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method uses multiple, dissimilar pressure references, such as in airport weather stations, personal weather stations, and wireless terminals such as smartphones, in order to provide the enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method generates an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure based on a first estimate of reference barometric pressure from a first pressure reference network made up of airport weather stations, for example. The method also uses a second estimate of reference barometric pressure from a second pressure reference network made of up personal weather stations, for example, and a third estimate of reference barometric pressure, also from the second network. The first, second, and third estimates of reference barometric pressure are combined such that both measurement accuracy and timeliness are improved in the resulting, enhanced estimate.

An environmental monitoring network has transportable, self-contained, environment sensing capsules, each capsule is water-proof, with first and second sections, the second section being hollow. Apertures in the capsule's housing enable fluid and gas entry wherein first sensor(s) disposed internal to the housing measure within the hollow, and second sensor(s) disposed external to the housing measure external to the housing. A controller and power system are connected to the first and second sensors and transmits measured data. An access entry way is on a side of the housing, enabling access to first sensors, controller system, power system, and the communication system. A central data server is configured to receive and analyze the measurement data sent from the capsules. There is a priority list of appropriate personnel for contact by the central data server in an event there is an emergency condition at a capsule location.

An environmental monitoring network has transportable, self-contained, environment sensing capsules, each capsule is water-proof, with first and second sections, the second section being hollow. Apertures in the capsule's housing enable fluid and gas entry wherein first sensor(s) disposed internal to the housing measure within the hollow, and second sensor(s) disposed external to the housing measure external to the housing. A controller and power system are connected to the first and second sensors and transmits measured data. An access entry way is on a side of the housing, enabling access to first sensors, controller system, power system, and the communication system. A central data server is configured to receive and analyze the measurement data sent from the capsules. There is a priority list of appropriate personnel for contact by the central data server in an event there is an emergency condition at a capsule location.