Microwaves See Thin Ice: A Review of Ice and Snow Sensing Using Microwave Techniques

Ice and snow are a reality that a large percentage of the global population experiences on a regular basis, with more than 31% of the Earth’s landmass
[2]
experiencing seasonal snow and ice accretion (as shown in
Figure 1
, a satellite image of the global snow cover for February 2022)
[1]
. In the United States alone, ice and snow impact 70% of the population, resulting in more than 1,300 annual deaths from icing-related roadway accidents and causing an estimated US$2.3 billion to be spent each year on roadway snow and ice control operations
[3]
. The infrastructure in regions that receive ice and snow must be specially designed to reliably operate in winter weather conditions, with specific considerations for power grids
[4]
, antenna communication structures, and cable bridges
[5]
. Expanding marine shipping and industrial operations in arctic regions have increased the need for safe and reliable operation of equipment and ships in atmospheric accretion and salty-icing conditions
[6]
. Wind turbines with blades rotating at great speeds high up in the air require thorough design considerations for atmospheric ice formation to prevent damage from icing, which can result in substantial power reduction or complete outage
[7]
. Similarly, ice accretions on flying objects, such as aircraft wings or turbopropellers, are highly critical challenges and have been a focus for sensing and de-icing for decades
[8]
because of the fatal effects of icing on airplanes
[9]
.