Abstract

NCAR/EOL is investigating potential configurations for the next generation airborne phased array radar (APAR) that is capable of retrieving dynamic and microphysical characteristics of clouds and precipitation. A number of antenna aperture configurations, and signal processing algorithms will be used for realizing overall performance of the APAR. In the case of polarimetric measurements, alternate transmit with alternate receive (single channel receiver) and simultaneous reception (dual channel receiver) is considered. The above-mentioned engineering options will be evaluated for realizing an optimal APAR system suitable for measuring the high temporal and spatial resolution of Doppler and polarimetric measurements of precipitation and clouds when compared to a mechanically scanning radar.

Highlights

  • Characterizing location, intensity, and motion of hurricanes, tornados, and extreme precipitation events and understanding effects of clouds and aerosols on the earth radiation budget requires a better understanding of the kinematic and microphysical processes within these storms

  • Scanning Doppler radar with dual-polarization capability on an airborne platform is capable of measuring dual-Doppler winds and retrieving particle types and shapes and liquid–ice water contents using reflectivity (Z), differential reflectivity (ZDR), specific propagation phase (KDP), and linear depolarization ratio (LDR)

  • A staggered pulse repetition frequency (PRF) technique for extending Doppler Nyquist interval was extremely valuable for the ELDORA is considered, but its evaluation is beyond the scope of this document

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Summary

Introduction

Characterizing location, intensity, and motion of hurricanes, tornados, and extreme precipitation events and understanding effects of clouds and aerosols on the earth radiation budget requires a better understanding of the kinematic (storm motion and structure) and microphysical processes (particle growth, phase changes) within these storms This remains a challenge for both the scientific and operational communities. No other instrument other than an airborne polarimetric Doppler phased array radar (APAR) system has the potential to estimate high temporal and spatial measurements of 3-D winds and microphysics concurrently (Vivekanandan et al, 2014). CETP became LATMOS (Laboratoire Atmospheres, Milieux, Observations Spatiales) It collects research-quality Doppler and reflectivity measurements that continue to set the standard for airborne radar; ELDORA X-band radar’s penetration into precipitation is limited by attenuation and it is not designed to collect polarimetric measurements to remotely estimate microphysics.

System description
Transmit frequency
Polarimetric measurement configurations
Agile beam scanning
APAR antenna aperture
Radar sensitivity and prime power
Radar architecture
Calibration of reflectivity
10 Removal of bias in polarimetric radar measurements
Findings
11 Summary
Full Text
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