High‐resolution wind profiling using combined spatial and frequency domain interferometry

Abstract

A novel approach to wind profiling is presented which is based on the hybrid use of spatial interferometry (SI) and frequency domain interferometry (FDI). Many algorithms exist that can be used to determine the wind field using SI. However, the imaging Doppler interferometry (IDI) technique is somewhat unique in that the wind field within the radar beam is angularly “imaged” using the Doppler sorting effect. The spatial locations of scatterers are determined by assuming a wind field across the beam and Fourier analyzing signals to sort Doppler velocities. Pulsed radar systems are limited in range resolution by the length of the transmitted pulse, and wind estimates are obtained for a discrete set of altitudes determined by sampling the continuous stream of signals. Frequency domain interferometry (FDI) can be used to determine the radial location of scattering layers within the resolution volume. Thus the combined use of FDI and IDI can provide the radial and angular location of particular scattering points. Using the Doppler sorting idea, a new wind profiling technique is presented which uses FDI to increase the altitude resolution of wind estimates obtained from IDI. Experimental data that illustrate the implementation of the algorithm are presented from the Middle and Upper (MU) Atmosphere radar.