Project Overview

The ILPREG project focuses on the development of an innovative GNSS-based system for real-time monitoring of atmospheric conditions and precipitation processes, with the aim of improving the detection and forecasting of extreme weather events. 

The project is based on the exploitation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, which are affected by atmospheric conditions as they travel through the troposphere. By analysing these signal delays, ILPREG is able to derive key atmospheric parameters such as Integrated Water Vapour (IWV), Zenith Total Delay (ZTD), and tropospheric gradients, which are directly linked to the formation and evolution of precipitation systems. 

A key innovation of the project is the use of low-cost GNSS receivers, enabling the deployment of hyper-dense monitoring networks. This approach significantly increases the spatial resolution of atmospheric observations compared to traditional meteorological systems, while reducing deployment costs. As a result, the system can capture localized variations in atmospheric moisture that are critical for understanding and predicting convective storms and extreme rainfall events. 

ILPREG also integrates GNSS-derived data with meteorological observations and models, enhancing the ability to monitor atmospheric instability and track the development of severe weather phenomena in near real-time. Through the evaluation of real case studies, the project investigates the relationship between GNSS-derived atmospheric parameters and physical meteorological processes. 

Ultimately, the project aims to deliver a reliable, cost-effective, and scalable solution for precipitation monitoring and forecasting, supporting applications in meteorology, early warning systems, and environmental monitoring, while also demonstrating strong potential for operational and commercial use. 

PROJECT STRUCTURE

WP1 – Project Management: 
Coordinates all project activities, reporting, and communication with ESA, ensuring smooth execution and monitoring of progress. 
Tasks:  

• T1.1: Project Coordination & Internal Communications  

• T1.2: Reporting & Communication with ESA  

WP2 – Requirements Analysis: 
Defines user and system requirements based on stakeholder needs and use cases for real-time weather monitoring. 
Tasks:  

• T2.1: Initial Users’ Requirements  

• T2.2: ILPREG System Requirements  

• T2.3: Final ILPREG Requirements  

WP3 – Evaluation of Low-Cost GNSS Receiver Performance: 
Assesses the performance of low-cost GNSS receivers and processing strategies for atmospheric parameter estimation. 
Tasks:  

• T3.1: GNSS Receivers Setup  

• T3.2: GNSS Processing Strategies for Tropospheric Parameters  

• T3.3: Software Evaluation  

WP4 – Evaluation of Hyper-Dense Low-Cost GNSS Network: 
Develops and evaluates a high-resolution GNSS network for real-time atmospheric monitoring and mapping. 
Tasks:  

• T4.1: Setup of Hyper-Dense GNSS Network  

• T4.2: GNSS Processing Strategies for Network  

• T4.3: Network Evaluation  

WP5 – Case Studies of Extreme Precipitation Events: 
Applies the system to real weather events to analyse performance and investigate atmospheric processes. 
Tasks:  

• T5.1: Evaluation of Local Weather Monitoring Capability 

GENERAL PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the ILPREG project is to develop and validate a low-cost GNSS-based system for real-time monitoring of atmospheric water vapour and precipitation-related processes, with a focus on improving the detection and forecasting of extreme weather events. 

The project aims to enhance the accuracy and spatial resolution of precipitation monitoring, by exploiting GNSS-derived tropospheric parameters such as Zenith Total Delay (ZTD), tropospheric gradients, and Integrated Water Vapour (IWV). These parameters provide critical insight into atmospheric instability and the development of convective systems. 

A key objective is the deployment and evaluation of a hyper-dense GNSS monitoring network, enabling high-resolution atmospheric observations that are not achievable with traditional meteorological infrastructures. This allows for improved tracking of localized weather phenomena and short-term precipitation dynamics. 

Another important goal is to assess the performance of low-cost GNSS receivers, ensuring that they provide reliable and accurate atmospheric measurements comparable to high-end geodetic systems, while significantly reducing deployment costs. 

The project also focuses on the integration of GNSS data with meteorological observations, supporting advanced analysis of extreme precipitation events and improving understanding of the relationship between atmospheric parameters and severe weather processes. 

Finally, ILPREG aims to demonstrate the operational and commercial potential of the developed system, providing a scalable and cost-effective solution for meteorological services, early warning systems, and environmental monitoring applications.

RESEARCHERS

CLOUDWATER Ltd: 

• Christina Oikonomou  

• Guergana Guerova  

G-Nut Software s.r.o: 

• Jan Douša  

• Pavel Václavovic