Super-resolution: a new technique for MST radar studies of atmospheric thin layers

Abstract

A limitation of MST (Mesosphere Stratosphere Troposphere) radars is the available range resolution, which is particularly important when observing thin atmospheric layers which contain turbulence and/or steps in refractive index. In this paper a data analysis method called the best linear estimate super-resolution technique is used to improve the range resolution local to the thin layers. This is achieved by using ‘prior knowledge’ which includes the system impulse response, a Gaussian scattering model and an assumption that there are narrow targets present. Simulations show that the performance of super-resolution is dependent on the signal to noise ratio but a realistic figure for the resolution enhancement is a factor of two. The analysis is performed on experimental data from the SOUSY MST radar and reveals the presenceof two features within what was originally considered to be a single tropospheric thin layer.