An In-Situ Measurement System Using Downconversion

Due to the recent auctioning of the 24 GHz frequency band for use in fifth-generation (5G) wireless communications many weather forecasters fear that the interference from 5G transmitters could negatively affect the ability to accurately predict the weather. This is because of the weather radiometers that passively operate within the 23.6-24.0 GHz range and the 50–58 GHz range, which are susceptible to out of band and harmonic emissions from the 5G transmitters. This could potentially result in a significant delay in accurate weather forecasting (E. Niller, “5g networks could throw weather forecasting into chaos,” 2019. [Online].) which would heavily impact the ability for weather forecasters to properly warn others and begin emergency procedures for weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes in a timely manner.