Using Cellular Network Signal Strength to Monitor Vegetation Characteristics

We demonstrate a new application for cellular communications equipment in monitoring vegetation. We analyze how the vegetation in a cornfield affects the received signal power recorded at cell modems in the field, and we show that the received signal power exhibited long-term and diurnal patterns related to the properties of the vegetation biomass. A novel aspect of this letter is that we recorded the signal strength data at the cellular modem in the field rather than at a cell phone tower and therefore does not require the cooperation of the cell tower owner.