Effects of radio frequency interference mitigation strategies on meteorological data

Abstract

The cost effectiveness and success of the United States' Multi-function Phased Array Radar (MPAR) initiative depends on its ability to execute all of its missions, including meteorological surveillance and general radar target detection and identification. Both missions rely on high quality data, which could be compromised by radio frequency interference as spectrum becomes more valuable and more users appear. Radio frequency interference has been observed at operational radar sites and will only become more prevalent in the future. Fortunately, strategies to mitigate the effects of radio frequency interference exist and more are being developed. This paper investigates the effect of several popular radio frequency interference mitigation strategies on the quality of meteorological data.