Cylindrical Polarimetric Phased Array Radar: Hardware design and mobile demonstrator

Abstract

This paper describes the design of a mobile Cylindrical Polarimetric Phased Array Radar (CPPAR) developed at the Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC). The primary purpose of the radar is to prove the concept of a CPPAR and demonstrate its inherent polarimetric advantages. Since these advantages become most apparent in the context of the polarimetric weather radar mission, the ability to make meaningful weather measurements with the system is desired. With limited resources, a novel system has been designed which both can demonstrate the CPPAR concept and serve as a platform for general phased array research in the future.