Predicting RF Path Loss in Forests Using Satellite Measurements of Vegetation Indices

We report preliminary results from a novel method that predicts the value of the RF path loss exponent (PLE) from satellite remote-sensing observations. The value of the PLE is required when designing wireless sensor networks for environmental monitoring. The model was produced by correlating field measurements of path loss to Landsat 8 data for three dates in 2013. The correlations are strong (R-2 > 0.87), and exhibit high statistical significance (p < 0.01). As far as we know, this is the first reported work that links remote sensing observations to field predictions of RF loss. The work reported here is preliminary because we were only able to gather field observations for three dates in 2013. Now that we know the approach holds some promise, we plan to extend the work with a much more aggressive field campaign in the spring and summer of 2014.